Countess of Brecknock Hospice

The chosen charity for 2026 was The Countess of Brecknock Hospice.

On 4 Aug 2026, Cllr David Hall with Julie Connor and Jane O’Boyle presented a cheque for £1,288 to Sophie Jasper, Clinical Matron.

Sophie said “We’re incredibly grateful to Chilbolton Parish Council, the garden owners, volunteers and everyone who came along to support the event. Every pound raised helps us continue providing outstanding care, comfort and support to local people and their families when they need it most”

Cllr David Hall, Chair of Chilbolton Parish Council said “I have personal experience of the wonderful support the team at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice give to our community. This was our most successful Open Gardens event ever and Chilbolton is delighted to have made our contribution to the hospice’s excellent work. We look forward to building on this successful start and to working together going forward.”

The other beneficiary was the Chilbolton Parish Council Community Benefit Fund, which also received £1,288.

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Gardens 2026 - Gallery 1

Shrub roses shone on the day. Some peonies were still performing beautifully, and many perennials stood out in what were lively and colourful borders.

Tea and cakes were served at Poplar Dene, by kind permission of David and Sally Griffiths. Their garden was filled with the scent of roses.

Many thanks also to Steve Bridge at the Abbots Mitre, who again hosted the busy ticket booth.

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The owners of Upcote have, over the years, worked hard to improve their extensive grounds.

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Within the Upcote meadow areas, native orchids have thrived.

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Watch Cottage offers unique views of the River Test.

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Discreetly planted borders allow the natural scene to dominate.

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New to Open Gardens, Hazel House charmed visitors with its mature trees, shrubs and sweeping lawn.

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Delphiniums didn’t just survive the recent weather, but seemed to thrive in it.

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Meadow House combined meticulous planning with abundance and variety.

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Peonies at Meadow House were the best we saw in the Village on the afternoon.

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Willows is a rich and varied cottage garden with fruit bushes, vegetables and colourful borders

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Many of the plants in the garden were taken from cuttings, or from seed.

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Visitors were able take tea and cake in the shade of a marquee at Poplar Dene

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Poplar Dene also hosted a plant stall

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The climbing rose on the barn was particularly fragrant

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The owner has focused much of the cultivation in his garden on roses

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Gardens 2026 - Gallery 2

Many gardens had lush, green spaces, and combined formal planting with wildflower areas.

The Church had some wonderful floral displays. Visitors from outside Chilbolton were able to park in the field adjoining the Church, by kind permission of James Painter and his family.

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Bannuts Farm features a large pond surrounded by long-established planting

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As a contrast, there is also an Italianate courtyard

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At Test Cottage, which was new to Open Gardens, the formal planting and topiary is striking

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The less formal areas, where “anything goes”, were no less attractive

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Ballimore is a garden created from what was a field in 1994

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Peony, Bowl of Beauty, was popular with visitors

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Beech House boasts custom-built pottagers for growing vegetables

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The garden is both productive and a peaceful space for relaxing.

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Opened for the first time, Chilbolton Cottage emphasises attracting and sustaining wildlife

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Biodiversity is at the centre of their gardening philosophy

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St Mary the Less Church hosted some stunning flower arrangements

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Where were the Bears?

For the first time, we featured a “Where are the Bears” hunt for younger garden visitors.

When they found a Bear in a garden they were given a Bear sticker. If they managed to find six Bears they could claim a lolly at Chilbolton Village Shop and Tearoom.

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The Bear at Beech House looked very noble, perched in a tree. Trees proved to be popular hiding places for Bears.

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At Test Cottage, the long grass hid this Bear, who looked to be on a hunt for something.

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Hazel House was the home for two Bears. Both had made their way to a lofty vantage points. One was a Seal.

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The other was a very jolly Penguin, sporting a hat and a scarf.

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In the beautiful meadows at Upcote, a Bear had spread out a picnic blanket, and had rested against a tree. It almost seemed as though it had fallen asleep.

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At the Church, this little Bear had found a cool, calm place to sit, next to a beautiful display of flowers in a basket.

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Over the road, at Chilbolton Cottage, a Bear dressed in his smartest waistcoat had climbed all the way up into a Mulberry tree.

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At Poplar Dene, a Bear that had clearly been very much loved had a quiet chat with a young visitor.

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And finally at Ballimore, a Bear called Bumpy sat in a shady spot reading a favourite book.

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