There are few pleasures quite as quintessentially English as wandering through a beautiful private garden on a warm summer’s day, pausing for tea and homemade cake while live music drifts across the lawns. Better still when every slice of Victoria sponge helps raise vital funds for a local charity.
That is precisely what makes St Wilfrid’s Hospice Open Gardens one of Sussex’s most enjoyable annual events.
Each year, generous homeowners throw open the gates to gardens that are normally hidden from public view, inviting visitors to explore everything from formal landscapes and lakes to productive kitchen gardens and colourful herbaceous borders. Along the way, volunteers from St Wilfrid’s Hospice provide refreshments, plant stalls and friendly welcomes, creating relaxed community events that raise much-needed funds for the Eastbourne-based hospice, which supports local people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. (St Wilfrid’s Hospice (Eastbourne))
Last Saturday’s opening at Foxhunt Manor, near Waldron, was a perfect example of why the scheme has become so popular.
Approached along quiet Sussex lanes, Foxhunt Manor enjoys an idyllic setting at Foxhunt Green, surrounded by rolling countryside.
Long before it became the elegant Foxhunt Manor, the building was widely known as the Visitation Convent. The handsome red-brick house was originally built in 1899 as a private country residence before taking on a variety of roles during the twentieth century. It served as a preparatory boarding school run by the Xaverian Brothers before becoming home to the Order of the Visitation, a Roman Catholic enclosed religious community, who occupied the property from 1959 and added a chapel and cloisters to the estate. Following the sisters’ departure, the Grade II listed house entered a new chapter as Foxhunt Manor, while still retaining many reminders of its fascinating past.
Set within around 50 acres, the estate offers far more than simply neatly cut lawns. Visitors can wander through an enchanting sunken Italian garden, explore an attractive walled kitchen garden, admire colourful flower borders, stroll beneath mature trees and enjoy a peaceful wildflower walk before discovering the orchard beyond. Extensive lawns frame uninterrupted views across the surrounding countryside, encouraging visitors to slow down and simply appreciate the landscape. (St Wilfrid’s Hospice (Eastbourne))
Of course, no St Wilfrid’s Open Garden would be complete without refreshments.
Throughout the afternoon, volunteers worked tirelessly serving teas, coffees and an irresistible selection of homemade cakes that proved almost impossible to walk past without stopping. Nearby stalls offered plants, gifts and other tempting purchases, all helping to boost fundraising for the hospice. There was a genuine sense of community, with visitors happily chatting over refreshments while comparing favourite corners of the garden or exchanging gardening tips.
Adding to the atmosphere was four hours of live music performed throughout the day. Tables and chairs had been thoughtfully arranged so visitors could relax with their refreshments while listening to the entertainment, creating the feeling of a traditional English garden party rather than simply an open garden. It was easy to lose track of time sitting beneath blue skies with birdsong, music and the gentle hum of conversation providing the soundtrack.
One of the pleasures of the Open Gardens programme is its variety. No two gardens are alike. Some are highly structured with formal planting and immaculate topiary, while others celebrate wildlife, naturalistic planting or productive vegetable gardens. Together they provide inspiration for gardeners of every level while offering access to beautiful private spaces that are rarely open to the public.
Just as important, every admission, every cup of tea and every slice of cake helps St Wilfrid’s Hospice continue its invaluable work within the local community. With the hospice relying heavily on charitable support to provide its specialist care, these events demonstrate how enjoyable fundraising can be.
There are still several opportunities to enjoy this year’s Open Gardens season:
- Tuesday 4 August: St Wilfrid’s Hospice Gardens, Eastbourne
- Saturday 8 August: Limekiln Farm, Chalvington
- Wednesday 26 August: Pekes Manor, Golden Cross, Chiddingly
- Saturday 5 September: Monkyn Pyn Barn, Wilmington
Each garden offers something different, with many featuring refreshments, stalls, live entertainment and the opportunity to explore some of Sussex’s most beautiful private gardens. Some gardens are happy if you want to take your dog, but do check. Full details, accessibility information and directions are available from St Wilfrid’s Hospice. (St Wilfrid’s Hospice (Eastbourne))
Whether you’re a keen gardener searching for inspiration, someone who simply enjoys spending time outdoors, or you’re looking for a relaxing summer afternoon in beautiful surroundings, St Wilfrid’s Open Gardens provide the perfect excuse to venture out.
Foxhunt Manor may have been the setting for my visit, but it also served as a reminder that behind every carefully tended border, every welcoming volunteer and every delicious homemade cake lies something far more important: a community coming together to support one of Sussex’s most valued charities.
Sometimes the loveliest gardens don’t just nurture flowers, they help nurture people too.
Photographs © Ann Ritchie
