The popular Hidden Gardens of Frome is due to return next month, with gardeners welcoming the community in to see the ‘wonderful spaces’ they create and care for.
Over 50 different gardens will be open for residents to enjoy between 10.30am and 4.30pm on 11th, 12th and 13th July.
“Do look carefully at the opening days, as many of our volunteer gardeners choose to take a day or two out of the weekend to wander around town and enjoy other people’s offerings,” said event organiser Andy Jones.
“We have 17 new gardens – fascinating sites like The Coach House on Willow Vale, or Withywood a bit further out at Berkley – as well as the return of many old favourites from previous years. We’ve had to invest in a new map to cover everything.”
Gardening for wildlife is the theme for this year, with a hedgehog on the cover and a new “bug” icon in the programme to help identify places specialising in helping wildlife thrive in Frome.
“Several gardens have rainwater capture, ponds, nectar-rich planting and wildflower areas to encourage nature’s visitors as well as the human ones,” said Andy. “As you walk around town that weekend, look out for other people carrying their maps and share tips on where the best gardens – and cakes – can be found!”
Programmes are available from Cheese and Grain, Hunting Raven, Victoria Park Café, Ellenbray, Discover Frome, Frome Town Hall and (new this year) Miller’s Homestore, for the event which is part of the Frome Festival.
Programmes are also available to download from the Frome Festival website – linked at the end of this article.
Andy said, “For the first time in many years we have increased the cost to £7 per adult. We do ask that each person purchases their own individual programme, please, as all that money goes directly to fund Frome Festival.
“Under-12s get free entry without a programme, as we’re keen to capture the imaginations of our next generation of gardeners. Many gardens also offer refreshments, crafts or plant sales in support of their own favourite charities – and last year that generated over £4,500 for good causes like WHY, Fair Frome, Cancer Research and many more.”
If you have any questions or want to be involved with next year’s event, please contact FromeHiddenGardens2022@outlook.com
To purchase a programme from the Frome Festival website, visit:
https://fromefestival.co.uk/hidden-gardens/
