Gardens of Claygate
June 2025
Claygate Open Gardens
On the afternoon of Sunday 22 June you will be welcomed at any or all of:
- 12 local private gardens,
- Both village allotment sites,
- Holy Trinity Church garden, and
- Claygate Recreation Ground garden.
Entry is free but you will be encouraged to make donations to the CVA or an individual gardener's preferred charity. Please have cash available.
Some gardens will host teas and refreshments
Most gardens are child-friendly but children must be supervised at all times.
Dogs are not allowed, except at the Recreation Ground.
Some gardens are accessible for wheelchairs - see individual details below
Please be considerate to the gardeners who have worked hard for your enjoyment and respect their property.
You take part at your own risk.
The garden details and map are below.
| Label | Address | Owners | Description | Warnings | £ |
| A | 21 Hare Lane | Sue Oakley | Our much-loved family garden has changed over the years, for us to enjoy. Seating in sun or shade. With various plants and pond area. | Not suitable for wheelchairs. | |
| B | Linda and Steve Wells | 18 Hare Lane | A family garden with large flower beds, mature trees, wild areas and
vegetable plots. It is constantly developing but is not immaculate. There is an (unfenced) wildlife pond and views over farmland. |
Suitable for wheelchairs | Refreshments & plant sale |
| C | 12 Gordon Road | Audrey Cove | A small garden with a formal layout and informal planting; accessed via the patio with comfortable seating and pots containing trees, box, with views across fields, shrubs and flowers. Steps down to a lawn enclosed at one end by | Not suitable for wheelchairs | |
| D | Margie and David Richardson | 5 Torrington Close | A hidden garden in the centre of the village, this has changed considerably over the past 43 years we have lived here. The pond is a more recent addition attracting a large number of birds and wildlife. | Steps down into the garden. No wheelchair access | Refreshments |
| E | Marie and Ken Barltrop | 22 Derwent Close | A small, much-enjoyed garden which has sustained setbacks in climbing roses which have been replaced and are making strides. A garden that competes for time with allotments! Refreshments | Wheelchair access | Collections for PAH and CIB |
| F | Tricia Baldwin | Rose Cottage, 12 St Leonards Road | The garden of the oldest house in Claygate has changed considerably since the first Open Gardens in 2000 but still has three distinct areas with some surprises in the borders. Please be careful of the narrow steps on entry. | Not suitable for wheelchairs | Collection for the CVA; original paintings and greeting cards for sale. |
| G | Dana Hodshon | 43 Old Claygate Lane | A natural garden managed but left to blend in with the surrounding fields, woodland and view of Telegraph Hill. Several trees of interest and bird feeders ensure lots of different bird visitors. | A friendly springer spaniel is in attendance. | |
| H | Holy Trinity Churchyard | Church Road | This tranquil area of grassland has received no herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers for 100 years, so it has a good collection of wildflowers attracting many insects. The churchyard is also of historical interest. | Suitable for wheelchairs | |
| J | Caroline and Nigel Cartwright | Staithe, The Causeway | A small, family garden that has been a pleasure to work on over the years. We spend a lot of time in the garden so have filled it with shrubs and flowers. | Partial wheelchair access | Refreshments |
| K | Selina Botham | 21 Glenavon Close | Selina is an award-winning garden designer and her garden is a place to bathe in nature. It features an outdoor bathtub as well as more conventional areas. There is plenty to explore including a wildlife pondand natural sculpture. There is a display of garden design work and tips for a creating your own garden. | Partial wheelchair access | |
| L | Kate & John Inwood | Rivendor, Fee Farm Road | This lovely, secluded garden has an orientation towards wellbeing being with areas to sit and relax, including a tranquil treehouse. | Not suitable for wheelchairs; our friendly springer spaniel may be around. | Refreshments. Nature-based activities are available for a charitable donation to social prescribing charity Dose of Nature. |
| M | Donna Holt | Breydon, Mount View Road | A creatively-planted garden of 'rooms' providing quiet and fun areas with outdoor games. The swimming pool and hot tub will be open so bring a costume and towel. There are changing and toilet facilities. | Not suitable for wheelchairs. Parents must sign a supervision declaration for under 18s. | Cocktails and cool drinks will be served for a donation to support the Winning Horse Benefit Society. |
| N | Mary and Ken Marshall | 12 Holroyd Road | A small, delightful mature garden with a variety of interesting plants. A round pond, built in memory of Lady Diana Spencer, now hosts a number of frogs. Interesting ideas that can be used in a small space. | Not suitable for wheelchairs. | Collection for the CVA. |
| R | The Recreation Ground Garden | Church Road & Dalmore Avenue | A garden built by the community for the community, designed by local designers Selina Botham and Rachel Jones. A place to sit and relax. | Suitable for wheelchairs | |
| V | Allotment site | Vale Road | The 190 members grow a wide variety of vegetables, fruit and flowers; thriving bee colonies on each site produce honey. The allotment holders vary widely in background but share a passion for growing
and will be happy to answer questions. |
Please keep to the paths and supervise children closely. No dogs. Not suitable for wheelchairs. | |
| T | Allotment site | Telegraph Lane |
This event is organised by Claygate Village Association.
March 2025
VILLAGE ASSOCIATION FIXES DATE FOR OPEN GARDEN TRAIL
Original article in the March 2025 Courier:
The Claygate Village Association is holding its popular Open Garden Trail on Sunday 22nd June. Leaflets including a map, and listing which gardens will be open between 2pm and 5pm, will enable visitors to enjoy strolling around the village exploring varied gardens, meeting old friends and making new ones.
The success of the event depends on villagers generously welcoming visitors into their gardens. Whatever the size or style of garden, it will be of interest and garden owners taking part in past years have said how much they enjoyed the afternoon.
While there is no charge for visiting a garden, the CVA suggests that each garden has a donation box to gather contributions to the CVA; garden owners can also raise money for their own charities. Some owners also choose to serve refreshments to raise charity funds. Anyone interested in opening up their garden on 22nd June should contact linda@wellsandcompany.co.uk
Further information provided by Linda Wells on 5th May:
Eleven Claygate gardens, the local allotments and the HTC grounds will be open for visitors to enjoy. The CVA provide leaflets detailing the gardens with a map, many gardens serve refreshments. The event is free, donations to the CVA and charities chosen by garden owners are welcomed.
THE CVA PLANT SALE
The CVA’s annual plant sale raises funds to buy plants for the tubs in The Parade. This year’s sale will be held on Saturday May 10 from 10am to 12 noon at the entrance to Torrington Lodge car park. If you are splitting up plants in your garden or have spare seedlings we would be delighted to have them. Contact claygateresidents@gmail.com
