A picturesque and popular open garden scheme is set to return to a south Norfolk village as it celebrates its 20th year.
Topcroft, near Bungay, has been hosting its open garden event since 2004 and this year the event takes place throughout the village on 26th and 27th May.
Topcroft Open Gardens annually see more than 1,200 visitors, with many returning year-on-year using the full two days to explore the varied gardens.
Around 15 gardens will be open, from small, neat cottage gardens to more rambling open spaces with wildflower meadows and woodland. One of the organisers Nicola Eastell said: “Topcroft Open Gardens started in 2004 with just six gardens but it has grown and grown. We have very knowledgeable gardeners with a wealth of information to impart and plants for sale too!
“The pavilion in the centre of the village will be the main hub for fabulous refreshments, where light lunches, tea, coffee and masses of homemade cakes are provided. There are another couple of gardens where tea and cakes are served and a warm welcome is always on the cards.
“We have returning visitors year-after-year, and some have been coming since the very beginning. Visitors come from as far away as South Suffolk and Essex and many say that it is their first Open Gardens of the year and a perfect way to start.”
“A vintage bus takes people to the further reaches of the village, running all day on both days and as an added attraction we have the 93rd Bomb Group museum open with fascinating artefacts from World War II. This is on part of “Hardwick” Airfield which is actually in Topcroft. It was a base for
over 2,000 American airmen during the war.”
The village will also be playing host to at least two open art studios. Some of these gardens offer plants for sale, including perennials and vegetable plants and one
garden hosts a popular tombola.
The cost to see all the gardens is £5 per person and the vintage bus, which is free, picks up at various locations around the village.
The 93rd Bomb Group Museum has a little cafe on site to raise valuable funds to keep the site going and entry to the museum is free.
All funds raised go to St Margaret’s Church, Topcroft.
