Tenth anniversary of village’s gardens day
Gardens of all sizes, both formal and natural, classic cars and home-made cakes – the village of Swannington, near Reepham, is gearing up to host one of Norfolk’s biggest garden parties of the summer on Sunday 30 June.
For this 10th edition of the biennial Swannington in Bloom, 11 gardens –Swannington Manor, Manor Farmhouse, Honeysuckle Cottage, Swannington Hall, Wolvercott, Swan Cottage, Rushton Meadows, Heath Farmhouse, Upgate Cottage, The Martins and Windsfield House – will be open to explore, alongside classic car displays, including Triumph Stags, Morgans and a Lotus Elan.
Farm butchery Swannington Farm to Fork will be serving up a barbecue on the village common, with cream teas in the garden at Swannington Manor and light lunches available in St Margaret’s church.
Other refreshments on offer include teas from the Potting Shed at Upgate and Pimm’s by the pond at Rushton Meadows.
This year’s event is once again raising funds to maintain the village play area, which has recently received a new accessible roundabout thanks to a grant from Biffa Award, and the village’s 13th-century church.
Laura Marfell-Williams, chair of this year’s organising committee, said: “Since the first event in 2005, we estimate that we’ve raised over £50,000 through this event and those funds have been crucial in keeping both our village play area and church open and functional.
“We love having the opportunity to welcome visitors to our lovely corner of the county and we really appreciate their support.”
The gardens will be open from 11 am – 5 pm on Sunday 30 June. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads at all times.
Tickets cost £7.50 per person (accompanied under 16s free), available in advance HERE, along with further information about the gardens opening.
Tickets (cash only) will also be available on the day at the main car park at the Romantic Garden Nursery, The Street, Swannington NR9 5NW.