Open Gardens 2026 comes to a close
A summer of beautiful gardens and community fundraising has come to an end, with Rowcroft Hospice’s Open Gardens season raising £18,000 to support local people living with life-limiting illnesses.
From April to October, 13 gardens across South Devon opened their gates to visitors as part of Rowcroft’s annual Open Gardens programme, offering the chance to explore everything from unique outdoor spaces to lovingly tended private gardens and other hidden gems.
Communities come together to open their gardens
The programme brought people together in communities across South Devon, with some events involving multiple gardens opening their gates. At Olchard Village, residents came together to open a number of gardens across the community, raising an incredible £4,000. In Dittisham, several gardens opened for visitors to explore, raising a fantastic £3,000. Both events gave visitors the opportunity to discover a variety of gardens and enjoy a day out in the local community.
Rowcroft’s Open Gardens came to a close on Saturday 25 October with a special final event at Ella’s Gardens, Rowcroft’s own gardens, showing the community the peaceful setting that often provides a place of comfort for the charity’s patients and their families.
Other highlights included the lush gardens at Kingswood House (pictured right), which raised an amazing £1,739, with each garden and event offering visitors a different experience.
“Every garden has been different”
Molly Billingsley, Rowcroft’s Community and Challenges Fundraiser, said:
“It’s been wonderful to see so many people open their gardens to the community this year and share the spaces they’ve created and cared for. Every garden has been different, but they’ve all helped bring people together and raise vital funds for Rowcroft. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who opened their garden, welcomed visitors, made a donation or helped spread the word.”
The Open Gardens programme was sponsored by Devon Tree Services, whose support helped make the season possible.
Could your community or garden be part of Open Gardens 2027?
Rowcroft is now looking ahead to next year’s Open Gardens programme and is inviting garden owners and communities across South Devon to get involved. You don’t need a large or perfectly landscaped garden to take part: gardens of all shapes, sizes and styles are welcome – from cottage gardens and allotments to courtyards, community spaces and secret gardens. Communities can sign up to create a larger event, with several households opening their gardens together. You could host a garden party on your terrace bringing neighbours together or get creative with a plant sale, cream tea, BBQ, live music, garden games or outdoor workshop.
If you think your garden or community could be part of Rowcroft’s Open Gardens 2027, or you know someone who might be interested, find out more at: rowcrofthospice.org.uk/opengardens