Open Gardens: Lemore Manor to open its gates for St Michael's

Open Gardens: Lemore Manor to open its gates for St Michael’s

In a summer where little has looked ‘normal’, one exception has been our gardens.

With many people having unexpected time on their hands, plots are looking better than ever, with long daylight hours in which to enjoy them. 

In any other year, it would have been the perfect backdrop for the St Michael’s Hospice Open Gardens season.

The Coronavirus pandemic, however, meant the first 11 events were cancelled with garden owners in Hampton Bishop and Goodrich staging virtual online tours instead, raising more than £5,000 between them. 

Over the Welsh border in Grosmont, where at the time local restrictions meant residents couldn’t travel more than five miles from their home, 21 gardens were opened to those in the community over a five-day period, with visitors booking a time slot to turn up. The innovative community approach, led by village resident Susan Inkin, helped raise £758 for St Michael’s.  

The curtailed summer has one remaining treat, though. The stunning grounds of Lemore Manor near Eardisley open for St Michael’s on Sunday 6^th September, with preparations already well underway.

‘We want to help St Michael’s as much as we can, particularly in light of the number of fundraising events they have had to cancel this year,’ said Margaret Owen, the venue’s Managing Director.

‘The beauty of Lemore Manor is our open gardens and spaces, meaning it is a lot easier to maintain social distancing while still enjoying an afternoon out.’

The venue boasts woodland and wildflower meadows, plus newly-created lockdown kitchen gardens. 

All entry tickets must also be booked in advance. When booking you’ll be asked to select your preferred time slot to visit Lemore, either 12.30pm-2pm, 2.15pm-4pm or 4pm-5.30pm.

To book, click here