A HIDDEN treasure in Dorridge is opening to the public this weekend to raise vital charity cash.
Broadacre garden and estate will be opening its doors on Sunday (April 16) as part of the National Gardens Scheme Garden Open Days.
The event runs from 2pm until 6pm – admission is £5, with children going free, and dogs are more than welcome.
Managed organically, Broadacre is a peaceful, semi-wild private estate landscaped around a 1906 gentleman’s house and lodge, with marl pools, undulating lawns, indigenous woodland, fruit trees in Spring blossom and two adjoining wild flower meadows. Barn owls breed in its magnificent oaks.
Quintessentially English, it was commenced in 1942 when horticulturist John Woolman (awarded the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour), the present owner’s grandfather, bought the estate from Lady Edith Lizzie Curtis.
Broadacre gardens leads into an enticing wild terrain that has been listed as of special interest for nature conservation.
This National Gardens Scheme outing also offers ample free parking, a punt on the lake, a large vegetable garden, plants for sale and even a cricket club on site.
On sale will be Broadacre Honey gathered from 5 beehives fed by two specially planted herb and heather bee gardens, along with many conserves – from Crab Apple Jelly to Loganberry Jam – made from estate produce.
Afternoon teas – with a wide choice of home baking prepared by Bentley Heath Country Market – will be served by the Wisteria Wall.
The property can be found on Grange Road in Dorridge, B93 8QA.
In 2016, garden visits organised by National Gardens Scheme broke all previous records by raising £3million.
Eleven thousand, three hundred (11,300) visitors to Warwickshire gardens visits raised £64,000
This is money raised translates – in very practical terms – into providing vital palliative comfort and end-of-life care to patients both at a local level and nationwide.
This is because the NGS (National Gardens Scheme) is the main fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospice UK and Carers Trust as well as The Queen’s Nursing Institute.
