The Dulwich Society has published its annual guide to local gardens opening for charity.
Garden openings are one of the marvels of Dulwich, which punches well above its weight in the number and variety of its openings – this year there are over 40 separate gardens doing so, some more than once and some opening with others as part of a group or a Garden Safari. All are great sources of ideas and inspiration, and most have home-made teas or refreshments to add to the enjoyment.
Openings this year are slightly complicated by Covid entry rules. Prior to 17th May, current rules generally require pre-booking of slots. From Monday 17th May, it’s back to “on the gate” tickets for larger gardens, but with pre-booking online required for smaller gardens opening for theNational Garden Scheme (NGS). From Monday 21st June, it’s back to normal with no limits to social contact or pre-booking requirements.
The gardens opening in May are shown below. Entry is normally just a few pounds with children free. Many gardens open for the NGS, with moneys raised benefiting nursing and health charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, The Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK.
Sunday 9th May, 2-6pm for NGS – 86 Underhill Road, East Dulwich SE22 0QU. A generous family space with tulips and Spring colour. Teas and plant sales. Pre-booking required.
Sunday 16th May, 11-5pm for NGS – 5 Burbage Road, Herne Hill SE24 9HJ.
The delightful garden of a member of The Society of Botanical Artists, with a large and varied range of plants, many unusual; the garden is included in The London Garden Book A-Z.Pre-booking required.
Sunday 16th May, 2-6pm for NGS – Stoney Hill House, Rock Hill SE26 6SW.
Garden and woodland of about an acre, providing a secluded, secret green oasis in the city. Teas, prosecco and music. Pre-booking required.
Thursday 20th May, 6-8pm – South London Botanical Institute, 323 Norwood Road SE24 9AQ.
London’s smallest botanical garden, densely planted with 500 labelled species grown in themed borders. Spring highlights include rainwater-fed pond with bog plants, unusual bulbs and flowering trees. Refreshments. Pre-booking required – see www.slbi.org.uk/events.
Sunday 23rd May, 1-6pm for NGS. Forest Hill Garden Group, SE23 3BJ.
Five lively gardens in eclectic and differing styles on the highest hill in south east London, with fine views over the Downs and all within a short walk of each other. Teas and plant sales on the Triangle at Horniman Drive. Pre-booking required.
Sunday 23rd May, 2-6pm for NGS. 2 Shardcroft Avenue, Herne Hill SE24 0DT.
Naturalistic planting of grasses and perennials in drifts – a designer’s garden planted ecologically to benefit wildlife. Teas and plant sales. Pre-booking required.
Sunday 23rd May, 6.30-8.30pm for Link Age Southwark. 115 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ.
Large garden with mixed herbaceous borders, topiary, pond and gravel garden. Wine.
Sunday 30th May, 1.30-5.30pm for NGS. 27 Thorpewood Avenue, Sydenham SE26 4BU.
Half-acre sloping garden blending a cool English woodland look with hotter Mediterranean styles and, with its bamboos and bananas, travels all the way to the Antipodes. Teas and plant sales. Pre-booking required.
Further details of the gardens and access arrangements are included in the Dulwich Gardens open for Charity brochure, which is available in local garden centres and on a companion website www.dulwichopengardens.org.
