Wingfield-Open-Gardens

Wingfield Open Gardens will be taking place this year on Saturday 29th June 10 am – 5.00 pm and Sunday 30th June 2013 12.00 – 5.00 pm.

Visitors will be able to view a wide variety of gardens from small to large, formal to cottage, Mediterranean, woodland, water and wild gardens. The rich history of the village is reflected in so many of the houses situated in the gardens in this year’s event ranging from medieval to Victorian and the twentieth century. The emphasis will be on all things horticultural and historical.

St Andrew’s Church will be open throughout the event with heraldic displays, a timeline and, recently in the news, the tomb of Richard III’s sister, Elizabeth of York can be seen lying alongside her husband, John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk.  The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, secretly visited St Andrew’s Church in February this year shortly after Richard III’s DNA matches were confirmed by the University of Leicester.  Kate and William also attended a friend’s wedding in the church last year.

abbeycottage3

There will be plant sales in several locations with exhibitions, lunches, cream teas, ice creams, refreshments and sales of jams and chutneys. Catelyns House will be providing morning and afternoon teas, light lunches and cream teas and Holly Tree House will be serving cream teas, cakes and refreshments.

Wingfield Barns café and terrace will be open throughout the event with a chance for visitors to relax and see one of the most stunning views in Wingfield. Daily papers will be provided with continental breakfasts on the Saturday morning and in the afternoons luxury ice creams with refreshments and Pimms on the terrace.

Visitors can also see the 16th century Great Barn which has a photographic exhibition in the foyer showing College Farm barns in 1998 before the redundant buildings were converted to house the visual and performing arts centre.

There will also be a second hand book sale in the foyer. The site specific sculpture commissions installed in 2002 also have new information display cases in the foyer highlighting biographies and statements from the artists on how they developed their ideas for the commissions and progressed over the years with their careers, some reaching international status.

Disabled car parking is available on site and the main car park will be open next to Low Road.

At Wingfield College visitors can see four acres of gardens including old roses, a walled vegetable garden, medieval fishponds, wild flower meadows, woodland walks, and a unique eccentric topiary garden on the site of the medieval courtyard.

The house will not be open but can be seen at other times of the year through the ‘Invitation to View’ scheme. Booklets about the scheme are available at Wingfield Barns and the De la Pole Arms.

The De La Pole Arms will be open all day and the £3 entry tickets and guide to the village gardens can be purchased in advance from Wingfield Barns and the De La Pole Arms from Friday 14th June and from all gardens during the event.

Under 16’s are free if accompanied by an adult.

Proceeds this year will go to St Andrew’s Church, Wingfield.

For further information about the event please contact Rosemary Elliott: 01379 384789

 

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