Open Gardens And Bar-B-Q

Open Gardens and Bar-B-Q Sunday 10th August 2003

The Wickhambrook Restoration Fund is holding an Open Gardens and Bar-B-Q event. There are six gardens open with various events happening at each venue. This year are included Clopton Hall, which has not been opened to the public for 20 years, and the now privately owned Cloak House which was the Cloak Inn pub until 1989 - a former favoured watering hole for many a Wickhambrook resident.

Pimms 12.00 - 1.00pm - Rolfe's Farm
Start the whole experience with a glass of Pimms at Rolfe's Farm which has also affords you views of the reason for this event, All Saints' Church. If Pimms is not your thing then why not visit Cloak House for a glass of beer.
Cloak House - A glass of beer 12.30 - 1.30pm
Cloak House on Cloak Lane will be open this year. Come and enjoy the old familiar surrounds and a glass of beer before the Bar-B-Q at Doctor's Barn.
Bar-B-Q 12.30 - 2.00pm - Doctor's Barn
Following your Pimms or beer come to Doctor's Barn to enjoy a sumptuous Bar-B-Q and wine or beverage of your choice.
The Manor House - Pudding 1.30 - 2.30pm
A selection of desserts will be available at the Manor House for you to enjoy in the excellent grounds of this splendid house
Afternoon tea 2.00 - 5.00pm - Clopton Hall
In addition to enjoying the relaxing surrounds of Clopton Hall, afternoon tea will also be available in the grounds of this famous Hall. Clopton Hall is written about by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner in his series of books about the buildings of England. "Front with three equal gables and a (modern) one-storied gabled central porch. Star-topped chimneys in three symmetrically arranged stacks."
Gifford's Hall - Gardens, plants cakes & bric-a-brac 2.00 - 5.00pm
Enjoy the afternoon in these delightful surrounds Like Clopton Hall, Gifford's Hall is written about by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner. "Gifford's Hall was built by a Higham about 1480 and much restored and enlarged early in the c20. The SE part is the original house. The room above the hall has a splendid ceiling with moulded beams, and a fireplace with fleuron decoration. The adjoining smaller room has another such ceiling."

Tickets And Further Information

Tickets are £15 (Children £7-50). There are special prices for families. There is adequate parking at all the gardens. The ticket price includes:-

• Admission to all six gardens
• Pimms, beer or one glass of wine or equivalent beverage
• Bar-B-Q
• Pudding
• Afternoon Tea

Gardens Only tickets are £5 and entitle you to viewing of the gardens between 2 - 5pm in addition to afternoon tea at Clopton Hall. Gifford's Hall will also have additional events such as a plants, cakes and bric-a-brac. Gardens Only tickets can be obtained on the day from any of the six venues.

Open Gardens Map