This summer, Hereford Cathedral will be hosting a series of Open Garden events for visitors.
Leading down to the River Wye, the gardens are a hidden gem nestled within the cathedral grounds. At their own leisure, visitors can explore the peaceful Cloisters, the colourful Canon’s garden, the private gardens of the Dean and Bishop and the historical Chapter House garden. A team of volunteer gardeners and guides will be on hand to answer questions and also share the fascinating history of these beautiful spaces, most of which aren’t normally open to the public.
Each summer, the gardens would normally be opened for guided tours but due to the ongoing restrictions in 2020, these tours were not able to take place. Instead, the cathedral team organised two Open Garden days which were fully booked within weeks and proved to be a hit with visitors. This year, as guidance around restrictions is likely to change throughout the summer months, the cathedral has decided to increase the amount of Open Garden events so that these beautiful spaces can be shared with as many people as possible.
The cathedral gardens are cared for by a team of Volunteers who, following the devastating floods of last year and then a significant period of lockdown, have worked incredibly hard to ensure that they are returned to their normal high standards.
Jess Stallwood, Events Officer, said: “We were really pleased with the feedback we received from last year’s Open Gardens events and look forward to being able to host more this summer. Whether you are an avid gardener looking for inspiration or are just looking for a bench to sit on in beautiful surroundings for the afternoon, we would love for you to join us!”
Hereford Cathedral Open Gardens will take place on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to September. Tickets cost £5 and booking is essential via the cathedral website as the capacity will be limited to support with social distancing.