Indulge in horticultural heaven this weekend on the Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail
Garden delights
What are you up to this weekend? Nothing planned? Why not visit some of the gorgeous 31 private gardens that will be open along the coast from Brighton to Eastbourne?
Geoff Stonebanks, the trail organiser, tells us there are some real treats along the way, with many of the gardens never having opened their garden gates to the public before.
The 3rd annual Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail which takes place this weekend is set to raise money for the new cancer centre in Brighton. Geoff’s work has already raised £13,200 for the cause. All monies raised over this weekend, from the entrance money to refreshment proceeds and a small percentage of the artists’ work that is sold in some of the gardens, will also go to Macmillan. Visitors will find stunning sheep and dogs made from chicken wire at the garden on East St to wonderful garden decorations at Driftwood in Bishopstone. Many of the gardens will be serving tea and cakes and some light lunches too, so check out the website for full details at www.macmillangardentrail.co.uk
Here you can also find trail maps and a copy of the 12-page brochure, detailing all the gardens opening over the weekend.
Visitors will pay either £2 at the garden gate to see each garden or can buy a weekend saver ticket at the first garden visited for £12, which will give them access to all 31 gardens across the weekend.
They will also be able to pick up the trail map for the trail they first visit, and a copy of the brochure too. Other trail maps can be collected at the first garden visited on that section, or as mentioned above, printed off from the website or by scanning the bar code on the back of the brochure with a smart phone. Those who don’t have access to the internet can call 01323 899296 for information.
Geoff has liased with the mayors in each section of the trail, and they all plan to visit some or all of the gardens in their area to show their support for this key event.
So, why not get a group of friends together to see the gardens nearest to you, hire a bike and ride around them, or hop on the bus and make a day of it!
All gardens are open over the weekend from 11am through until 5pm, and there are some real gems to see.
