What’s On at Hill Close Gardens


As well as in the sections below, our events that are bookable online can also be seen here.

For Educational Events contact:
educationofficer@hcgt.org.uk

Please tell what you liked about Hill Close Gardens by leaving us a review on Facebook. Click on the link below to take you straight to our review page. Thank you

https://www.facebook.com/HillCloseGardens/?locale=en_GB


Nursery and Compost Work Day

10th March, 2026

Our volunteers have done incredible work in tidying the nursery but we are left with some substantial piles of soil and rubble left from previous work. This needs moving to gaps around the garden and, for what remains, to a skip. And there’s always work to do on the compost, so we might turn our attention to that if time, and energy, allow!

We’ll start at 10.00 but if you can’t come until later then please let us know. And no need to stay all day, a couple of hours will be a huge help.

Please wear appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty and boots or wellies

We are next to a public car park, details of how to find us and more info on parking can be found here. If you have any questions please contact volunteer@hcgt.org.uk.

To learn more and book your place, please click here.

Garden Experience Day

17th March, 2026

Join Us for a Garden Experience Day!  This is a fantastic way to support a small independent local charity, and enjoy a day outside in a beautiful setting with likeminded people.

To learn more and book your place, please click here.

Community Open Day at Hill Close Gardens

12th April, 2026

Our free entry Community Day will take place on Sunday 12th April this year.

This has been a fantastic event in the past, with well over 190 visitors at our November Community Day. Many of these visitors came from our local community who enjoyed the family activities and our wonderful gardens.

Please come and join us again for the start of our Spring season to see how much the gardens have changed. This year we will be having a few stalls selling various local arts and crafts.

Gardens will be open 11:00 to 4:00 (last entry 3:30)

Apple Weekend at Hill Close Gardens

10th October, 2026

Apple Weekend and Country Fair – arts and crafts and a celebration of all things apple.

Our annual Apple Weekend and Country Fair this year is 10th and 11th October so come along and join us to enjoy:

  • The wonderful harvest of our heritage apples
  • Craft stalls
  • Our 16 restored Victorian gardens
  • Book stalls
  • Tearoom(Normal entrance fees apply)

Gardens will be open 11:00 to 4:00 (last entry 3:30)

BEE WILD Bee Friendly Event

14th June, 2026

Our annual Bee Wild Event is an opportunity to learn about bees and wildlife in our local area.

This is a free event but donations to our Charity are very welcome.

See a display of local insect photography

Have a go at some activities inspired by the natural world

Get advice on bats, bees, butterflies and hedgehogs

Buy honey and locally crafted gifts with a nature theme

Gardens will be open 11:00 to 4:00 (last entry 3:30)

Pre-School Grow, Explore and Learn Outdoors

12th March, 2026

Hop into spring  with our little  bunnies and flower crafts.

Join us for some spring themed fun – crafts, a garden walk, maybe some digging and planting, finishing with stories and rhymes 

Our monthly Drop-In for pre-school children and their parents/carers. We focus on being outdoors, exploring the gardens, celebrating the changing seasons and the mini creatures and birds that live here. Please dress for the outdoors – wellies are always a good idea!

£4 per child over 2yrs, siblings & under 2yrs £2 (adults/babies are free)

10:00am – 11.30am

Please pay when you arrive

So we can keep track of numbers, please register your interest in attending here Registration

Teddy Bears Picnic

20th August, 2026

Pack a blanket, a picnic, your teddy (or your favourite cuddly ) and join us for an afternoon of bear-themed crafts, activities, stories and follow the  ‘Bear Hunt’ trail around the gardens.

£5 per child (adults/babies are free)

12:00 – 3:00pm

This is a ticketed event, please book your place here

Father’s Day Weekend

20th June, 2026

Come and join us at Hill Close Gardens to celebrate Father’s Day

Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st June

The gardens are open 11:00 to 4:00 (last admission 3.30)

We would be delighted if you chose Hill Close Gardens as a place to visit on Father’s Day. 

For this weekend only, we are offering a choice of different packages – if none of them take your fancy, our normal opening times, admission and tea room are still available. Please just turn up from 11:00 to purchase a ticket from our front desk, or book online.

Alternatively we are offering:

Option 1: Entrance to our gardens with a cream tea £13 p.p

Option 2: Entrance to our gardens with a tools history talk £11 p.p

Option 3: Entrance to our gardens, with a tools history talk & a cream tea £16 p.p

More details to follow

Mother’s Day Weekend

14th March, 2026

Come and join us at Hill Close Gardens to celebrate Mother’s Day

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March 

The gardens are open 11:00 to 4:00 (last admission 3.30)

We would be delighted if you chose Hill Close Gardens as a place to visit on Mother’s Day. 

For this weekend only, we are offering a choice of different packages – if none of them take your fancy, our normal opening times, admission and tea room are still available. Please just turn up from 11:00 to purchase a ticket from our front desk, or book online.

Alternatively we are offering:

Option 1: Entrance to our gardens with a cream tea £13 p.p

Option 2: Entrance to our gardens with a guided tour £11 p.p

Option 3: Entrance to our gardens, with a guided tour & a cream tea £16 p.p

Click here to book your ticket for Saturday 14th March

Click here to book your ticket for Sunday 15th March

Spring Drawing Workshop

28th March, 2026

10:00 to 12:00

£20 per person

This Drawing Workshop is going to be a celebration of Spring through the symbolism of objects realised through drawing. Art tells a story and the symbols included in a Still Life can spark imagination and creativity. A variety of objects will be provided but please fell free to bring along something you would like to include.

Our workshop will provide you with a tranquil opportunity to carry out observation work based on the study of the objects in the still life you have created.

You will be encouraged to:-Create a Still Life by considering the hidden meaning of objects and by considering pattern, shape and form. Understand the potential of the symbolism and ‘emotional life of objects’ Consider aspects of selection and composition.
Create and develop your drawing based on elements of texture and colour and the juxtaposition of the objects you have chosen.

Click here to book your ticket