Thetford Open Gardens set to open for 17th year of St Nicholas Hospice fund-raiser

Visitors will get to view behind the back gates of some of a town’s greatest gardens as the 17th Thetford Open Gardens takes place tomorrow.

This year, there will be 27 taking part, in the event which raises money for St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds.

A variety of gardens will be on show, including a World War Two shelter repurposed as a potting shed, to newly created drought resistant beds in response to climate change.

Speaking about the event, organiser Karen-Emma White, said: “We are so excited to bring you this year's collection of gardens, and thrilled to be welcoming back some old favourites after a few years break. We also have some fabulous new gardens and are enormously grateful to all of our garden owners.

“Everyone works so hard to create welcoming beautiful outdoor spaces for our visitors to enjoy. It's a real community event and very much a highlight in Thetford's year."

Gardens within gardens is very much a theme this year and visitors will be thrilled to discover the wide variety of gardens on display including a bonsai garden, wildlife and wildflower areas as well as traditional vegetable and herbaceous gardens.

Food including homemade quiche and smoked salmon sandwiches in garden 19, tea and scones in garden 25, an authentic Australian barbecue in garden seven and a spectacular choice of cakes in garden 1 will be on offer around the route.

Tickets and programmes are available from the Leaping Hare Box Office www.leapinghare.org or in person at the Everything Thetford shop in King Street (open today, between 10am - 2pm), Thetford Garden Centre (cash only) and 28 Arlington Way outside of shop opening hours (cash only).

There will also be raffle tickets on sale for a grand draw, with prizes including £100 garden voucher, a trip in a vintage Rolls Royce with afternoon tea, hampers, vouchers and a fire pit.

Tickets at Everything Thetford, the Charles Burrell Centre, 28 Arlington Way and all the gardens taking part.