After a phenomenal first year in 2017, the Great Garden Trail, sponsored by Bedfords, returns this year with even more gardens to explore.
The trail runs from March to August and gardens are opening right across Suffolk providing a wide variety of plots for people to discover and explore with entry to each of the gardens via a donation to St Elizabeth Hospice.
Gardens opening this year include those of Elizabethan mansion Glemham Hall; Priors Oak, a ten acre wildlife and butterfly garden in Aldeburgh; a collection of ten very different gardens as part of the Hidden gardens of Ufford and the gem of a garden behind the Sweffling White Horse which features rustic pathways and eco-friendly accommodation and is home to many friendly geese, ducks and chickens.
Brian Taylor, community fundraising co-ordinator at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “The Great Garden Trail was incredibly successful last year and thousands of local people came to look around the stunning gardens that opened their gate for us.
“This year, we have some of our returning favourites as well as new gardens that are inviting the public to come and have a look round in return for a donation to the hospice.
“The beauty of the trail is that you can do as little or as much as you like and whether you choose to explore just one or two gardens or aim to complete the whole trail, the money you help to raise will stay in the local area and be used by the hospice to care for people living with a progressive or terminal illness.”
The trail begins with the first open garden this Sunday (25 March) at The Olde Coach House in Diss. Entry to the garden costs £2.50 for adults with children under 16 able to look around for free.
The Great Garden Trail maps are available from all St Elizabeth Hospice shops as well as selected garden centres and nurseries around the county. Find details of all the gardens that are open here.