Top 50 Best B&B Opens Garden this May

Named as one of the top 50 Best B&Bs by the Independent and once the home of Peter Pan artist Mabel Lucie Attwell, Eastbourne’s Ocklynge Manor is taking part in National Gardens Scheme again this year and holding a special open garden on Wednesday 4 May.

Following the success of their inaugural open event last year raising nearly £2,800 for charity and attracting hundreds of visitors, Ocklynge Manor hope to repeat that success this year and will be joined by Lawrie Skinner performing accordion music.

Visitors will be able to roam the magnificent gardens of the AA 5-star Gold Bed and Breakfast accommodation, which is set behind an ancient flint wall in Eastbourne and is one of over 3,000 gardens in the UK opening for charity this year.

Eastbourne Borough Council Tourism Development Manager Annie Wills said “The open garden day at Ocklynge Manor was a fantastic success last year making an impressive donation to charity and it is wonderful that the public have another opportunity to take in the fabulous gardens again this May. The gardens at Ocklynge Manor really are one of Eastbourne’s best kept secrets so I’d encourage as many people as possible to take time out and explore this hidden treasure!”

Ocklynge Manor will open the gates to its garden on Wednesday 4th May between 1pm and 6pm with representatives from Eastbourne District General Hospital selling teas and cakes to visitors raising money for charity.

Visitors will be able to explore the vast garden full of colour and life, which is maintained to its first class standards by current owners Wendy and David Dugdill, featuring architectural and unusual trees offering plenty of places to sit in the sun and shade, plus rhododendrons, azaleas, and acers in containers. The garden also features a manna ash, which is about 150 years old, and the only mature one of its kind on record in England.

Visitors will also have the chance to see the historic blue plaque on the road-side wall dedicated to the Peter Pan illustrator.

Wendy Dugdill said “Due to the cold spell last year, many of the flowering shrubs were not at their best. However, this year, the weather has been much milder, so we are keeping our fingers crossed for a great display."

For more information on Ocklynge Manor or to find out about the open garden visit www.ocklyngemanor.co.uk or telephone 01323 734121.