Explore gardens usually hidden from view as part of charity’s open gardens event

Some of the best gardens Bury St Edmunds has to offer will be opening their gates to the public to raise much-needed funds for a local hospice.

The Hidden Gardens of Bury, which has been running for more than 30 years and has raised more than £350,000 for St Nicholas Hospice Care, will return on Sunday, 11 July.

The event, which Bedfords Estate Agents and Ellisons Solicitors sponsor, gives people the chance to discover secret patios, lawns, borders, vegetable gardens, greenhouses and much more besides.

Some 30 or so gardens that will open their gates have been tended for many generations, while others are only now coming to maturity or are still very new.

Lizzie Cross, the hospice’s community fundraiser, said: “We are so looking forward to this year’s Hidden Gardens of Bury event. It is always such a great day out, and we really hope people will join us.

“We have a wonderful and varied selection of gardens that will be open, so please come along and enjoy the beauty of these green spaces that are normally hidden from view while raising funds for the work the hospice does to support those facing dying, caring and grief.”

All gardens are within walking distance of each other and are listed in the event’s programme, which includes a map. The hospice’s catering team will also be providing refreshments for purchase at the Guildhall garden.

The event runs from 11am to 5pm, with entry costing £7 (under 16s are free).

Tickets will be available to purchase on the day from the Hidden Gardens marquee on Angel Hill, but people are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance online.

For more information and to buy your tickets in advance, please visit the hospice’s website: https://stnicholashospice.org.uk/news-community/events-listing/bury-st-edmunds-hidden-gardens/.

Following the government’s announcement that the ending of Covid-19 restrictions is delayed, extra measures to make sure the Hidden Gardens of Bury not only complies with government guidelines but is as safe as it possibly can be will be in place.

You can find out more about these measures and what to expect when attending a hospice run here: https://stnicholashospice.org.uk/organisation/st-nicholas-hospice-care-events-and-activities-update/.