Some of the most beautiful and creative gardens in Somerset will be opened to the public in aid of Weston Hospicecare this summer.

The charity’s Open Gardens initiative is now in its third year, and looking to top the £10,000 total it raised in 2018.

The project runs through the summer months and sees people or businesses opening up their gardens to host the public for a get-together to raise money for the charity.

The featured gardens are usually off-limits to visitors, but are opened for one or two days to showcase the creativity within to horticultural enthusiasts and hospice supporters.

People with an interest in gardening – or people simply looking for a tranquil place to visit and meet new people – are invited inside in return for a donation to the hospice.

Home-made refreshments are typically available too, making them the perfect outing for a summer afternoon.

In 2018, supporters raised £10,046 for the hospice a figure the community fundraising team hope to surpass this year.

Already this year, gardens in Weston, Locking, Burnham, Highbridge and Congresbury are taking part, with open days scheduled from May through to September – though more gardens are expected to be added to the list.

Fundraiser Sue Harding said: “We had a fabulous Open Gardens programme last year and we are delighted to see our first eight gardens booked in already for the summer ahead.

“After raising more than £10,000 in 2018 we hope can beat that figure in 2019.

“The hospice relies on the community to help fund 80% of the charity’s total operating costs and the Open Gardens programme helps raise money and allows us to engage with our supporters.”

Below are the confirmed dates so far for the 2019 programme: 

25 May, from 3pm – 6 Beechwood Avenue, Locking, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8DR

2 June, 11am-4pm – Yeo Meads, High Street, Congresbury, Bristol, BS40 5JA

9 June, 2-4.30pm – 178 Burnham Road, Highbridge, TA9 3EH

9 June, 1.30-4.30pm – 14 Eskdale Close, Weston-super-Mare, BS22 8GA

29 June, 2.30-5pm – Old Rectory Garden Party, The Old Rectory, opposite The Golden Lion, Broad Street, Wrington, BS40 5LD

30 June, 2-5pm – 6 Brightstowe Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2HW

7 July, 2-4pm – 9 Ash Grove, Uphill, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 4SH

21 July, 2-5pm – 43 Golf Links Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2PP

August and September – Saturday and Sunday mornings – Ferntree House, 30 Diamond Batch, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7NB

If you are interested in hosting an Open Gardens event for Weston Hospicecare email sue.harding@westonhospicecare.org.uk for more information.

For more information about an individual event, visit www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/opengardens2019/ Colorful