We are very pleased to announce that we will be running Secret Gardens again in 2022
"What a lovely way to spend an afternoon"
"Beautiful gardens, designed and cared for with such love and commitment. Thank you for sharing."
"Very friendly residents, fascinating gardens, delicious refreshments"
Winster is a picturesque and historic Derbyshire village, 5 miles from Matlock and Bakewell. (See Map)
On one weekend each year, a large number of residents open their gardens to their neighbours and to visitors from further afield. We are expecting to open at least 25 gardens each day.
Visitors follow a garden trail around the streets and alleys of the village, exploring a wide variety of gardens.
There is a Gnome Hunt for children, and scarecrows to find in a number of gardens. We offer a wide range of refreshments - in our award-winning (and fully accessible) village hall and in several gardens - from cream teas to home-made desserts. Soft and alcoholic drinks will be available in a number of locations.
There will be plants from Winster-based Peak Cottage Plants, and quality local crafts for sale, and there will be live Jazz in one of the gardens each day.
We are expecting that Winster Morris Dancers will perform at 5pm on Saturday. There will be a 45-minute concert by the Wyns Tor Singers at 4.30pm on Sunday.
The event is run in aid of the Burton Institute, Winster's award-winning village hall, and other Winster organisations.
(click photo to see it full size) Photos by John Cook
For other excellent photos, and an outsider's view (of the 2006 event, but still relevant today), see Janet Roberts' blog
There is a reasonable Bus Service (from Matlock and Bakewell) on Saturday, but no Sunday service. (Nearest buses on Sunday: Darley Dale)
If you are driving into Winster from the east (Matlock/Darley Dale), the signposted route to our car park may seem a little unlikely, but please trust our signs: the shortest route involves a steep, narrow road which can jam up quickly - so we have signposted a route round the edge of the village on wider, safer roads.
Winster is a hilly village, and some gardens are impossible for the less mobile, but we aim to open several gardens that are accessible to the "walking but wobbly" and to wheelchair users with reasonably fit attendants (most of the flatter gardens have at least one or two steps).
Most gardens have uneven paths, so those with poor vision would need a fully-sighted companion.
Our village hall, the Burton Institute, is open on both days (with our splendid Winster Tapestry on show) and is fully accessible, including disabled toilet facilities.
Tickets are on sale on the day, from outside the Market House in Main Street, and from the Car Park.