News: Open Gardens 2026 - one week to go
It’s one week to go before Chilbolton Open Gardens 2026. There are 11 gardens being opened, including three that have never been opened before. St Mary the Less Church will be hosting the skills of the Village’s talented flower-arrangers.
Over the last week, posters have gone up around the Village advertising the event. It is on Sunday 14 Jun 2026 between 2pm and 5pm.
Tickets will be available from a stall at the Abbots Mitre pub: £10 per adult, or £12 per adult to include tea and cake at Poplar Dene on Village Street. Accompanied children under sixteen are admitted for free.
The three new gardens include one with a variety of mature trees, shrubs and borders; another where nature is encouraged and there is no such thing as weeds; and a third which is a cottage garden with an emphasis on wildlife and biodiversity.
Roses at one of the featured gardens
The Open Gardens website has featured teaser views of work in progress at gardens within the event.
March 2026: A newly-created pond
March 2026: Cut flower and vegetable garden ready for a full rebuild
Keen garden-goers will be interested to see how Chilbolton compares with the wonderful displays last week at Wherwell Open Gardens.
One of the best was what the owner modestly describes as a “simple cottage garden”.
Mike Gee’s garden in Wherwell
Will the roses in Chilbolton rival the beautiful displays in Wherwell, and will our box hedges have the same problems with moths and caterpillars?
David Austin roses at Beech Grove in Wherwell