Life in the Hampshire village of Bramshott usually proceeds at a gentle pace, but things became somewhat busier than usual on 12th and 13th June, as over 800 visitors arrived for the 12th Bramshott Open Gardens festival. This year, 34 private gardens were open to the public, encompassing everything from formal landscaped grounds to charming little cottage gardens, gracing some of the most beautiful homes in Hampshire. Bramshott Open Gardens is sponsored by local development for the over 55s, Bramshott Place Village, which is firmly establishing itself as part of the community.

Cliff Meyler, Operations Director of Bramshott Place Village’s development company Urban Renaissance Villages who officially opened the event on Saturday June 12, commented: “Bramshott Open Gardens was a resounding success and I was very proud that we were its main sponsors. I had no idea just how many beautiful and well tended gardens there were in Bramshott.” Craig McGregor, Chair of the organising Committee for Bramshott Open Gardens, was also delighted by the outcome. “I think we had a record number of visitors this year and the concert in the Church was wonderful.”

Visitors were taken around the gardens by a fleet of minibuses, enjoying the green-fingered skills of Bramshott residents, as well as a few more unexpected items. One garden put on a display of vintage lawn mowers, and at another house, Clementine Nuttall opened up her stone and woodcarving studio. As well as the private gardens, the Allotment Gardens were also open for inspection, selling their plants and produce to benefit Bramshott Open Gardens’ nominated good causes: St Mary’s Church, the Ancient Sunken Lanes Project and MacMillan Cancer Support. A trio of cottages in Tunbridge Lane also had furniture, tools, crafts and upholstered items for sale. Approximately over £10,000 was raised for the charities.

Food and drink, much of it locally produced, was provided throughout the weekend in the form of a barbeque and tea tent in the church grounds. Additionally, some of the private gardens also offered refreshments, with home made cakes proving especially popular! St Mary’s Church also played an important role in Bramshott Open Gardens, with a stunning Flower Festival over the weekend, and the creation of an annual Scroll of Remembrance, which commemorates local residents’ loved ones who have passed away. However, the highlight was undoubtedly the Concert Recital on Saturday evening, when popular classics were performed by a solo soprano, a string ensemble and organ.