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History2026-07-30T11:45:41+01:00

History of the Ashby Open Gardens

From tiny acorns…a potted history of Ashby Open Gardens

  • 2008 saw the first Ashby open gardens. Two gardens opened their gates and raised  £200 for Cancer Research UK.
  • 2009 was a great success with 5 gardens open. People traveled from as far afield as Loughborough and even Oxford to come and see the gardens. Over £300 was raised for Cancer Research UK.
  • 2010 built on the success of the previous two years by having 8 gardens opening. The Open gardens date moved to August to show how the gardens look in late summer.
  • 2011 will have 8 gardens again (3 new gardens) and will be opening in Early summer (June). This will give a totally different view of the same gardens.
  • 2012 was the first year that we tried to open on both days to give visitors a more flexible visiting time.
  • 2013 August opening was the busiest to date. Over 400 visitors and £1800 raised.
  • 2014 was a rainy one, but still had 300 people attend. Up to now £6900 has been raised for Cancer Research.
  • 2015 was changed to raise money for local charities ‘Air Ambulance Service’ and ‘Hospice Hope’. This was a record breaking year raising £2500 with over 450 visitors.
  • 2016 was again in aid of Air Ambulance Service’ and ‘Hospice Hope’. This was another record breaking year raising £2800 with over 596 visitors.
  • 2017. The 10th Anniversary. Early one again in June. £2400 rasied with 400 visitors.
  • 2018 The July HEATWAVE!! A difficult growing year, but still had 400 visitors and £2400 raised.
  • 2019 A damp but busy August opening.  550 people raising over £3100 for Charity.  That’s £20,100 so far.
  • 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Cancelled
  • 2021 COVID-19 Still.  Cancelled again.
  • 2022 Wonderful to be back for a June opening. 400 people and £2800 raised.
  • 2023 A fantastic July,  530 people and £3800 raised for Air Ambulance Service  and Hospice Hope.
  • 2024 A very busy August with nice weather.  675 visitors raising £5200 for Air Ambulance Service and Bright Hope (Formally Hospice Hope)
  • 2025 Back to June. A bad weather forcast, but was actually mostly dry and warm. £4100 raised. nearly 500 visitors.
  • 2026 A hot and dry July. 465 people and £4000 raised. A great weekend.   Thats £40,000 raised so far !!!!!!!

All Previously Opened Gardens

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17 Derby Road

A newcomer this year (to the garden and Ashby) this long garden begins with a raised flagged patio, with potted plants. Leading through the arch, you’ll find grasses, ferns, trees, clematis among others (many of which were brought from Chester in the removal van). Less than a year living here, a work in progress on this 100ft. garden, from no more than an overgrown lawn, with a lot achieved so far. New summerhouse under the mature silver birch gives a relaxing place to enjoy. Refreshments & cakes available, wheelchair access not possible due to alley leading to the back, along with steps into garden.

17 Willesley Gardens

A naturalistic garden planted to attract wildlife with a natural stream and a pond. Bee boxes attract solitary and leafcutter bees. There are log piles, bird boxes and bird feeders. The densely planted borders contain a wide range of perennial plants. The garden has a greenhouse and a small vegetable patch along with apple, plum, damson and cherry trees. Teas, coffees, cold drinks and freshly baked cakes are available. Wheelchair access restricted.  2′ 2″/66cm wide access down the side of the house to a patio area overlooking the garden, wide steps down to the garden

18 Churchill Close

An 11 year old garden with an eclectic mix of unusual trees and shrubs. Most of the trees have been chosen over the years to form a fastigiate/upright habit thus allowing many trees and shrubs to be squeezed in still leaving room for a lawn for the children.  The colour and texture in the garden comes mainly from foliage and not flowers. The bark on some of the trees gives colour throughout the year especially the glorious paper bark maple with its peeling rich brown colour.  Cakes and drinks will be available both days. Wheel chair access over a gravel entrance

20 Oakham Grove

The front garden is the perfect place to relax during July and August. The borders are a mixture of annuals, biennials, perennials and shrubs that build to a crescendo of colour, texture and scent as the summer progresses. The colour scheme does tend to be a bit bright! The planting is informal due to the large amount of self-seeding that is encouraged. The rear garden is small and dominated by climbers. This gives the impression of being in a courtyard. Refreshments available. Full wheelchair access to main front garden. 3 Steps and door to rear garden.

22 Lower Packington Road

A garden designed around relaxing amongst nature. Recent changes have been a bar and decking area with lots of space for seating; a raised bed at the far end of the garden allowing for a small vegetable patch and a dead hedge to attract wildlife. We have regular hedgehog visitors as well as a variety of birds. Mature trees down the side of the garden provide shade.
This is very much a ‘work in progress’ garden; it’s far from perfect but we like it!
Wheelchair access is restricted due to a narrow alleyway down the side of the house and several small steps.
Drinks will be available in the bar!

24 Lower Packington Road

To the front a very recently installed parterre with box, bay and lavender.  Proceed up the driveway to the left of the house and turn right to find the back gate. As you enter the garden the path takes you between the raised herb bed and raised pond and follows the curved lawn with herbaceous borders either side with many cottage garden plants up to an upper patio area with greenhouse.  Another path forks left through a metal arch into the utility area of the garden where you will find raised vegetable beds, soft fruit, chickens and another seating area.  Following a total house renovation, the main part of the garden was started from scratch around 18 months ago.  Homemade cakes, soft drinks, tea and coffee available.  Wheelchair access to the garden via a small ramp up one step. Please note that the garden is accessed via a loose Cotswold stone driveway. Downstairs toilet available.

26 Uppingham Drive

The bungalow is approached by a gravel garden containing grasses and perennials which enjoy the south facing aspect. There are roses either side of a bench and table to enjoy this warm spot.
A pot lined drive leads to the back garden where there are vegetables, soft fruit, tomatoes and mature shrubs. The lawn is edged by perennial borders and fruit trees and divided by a rose bed. There is a mature silver birch at the bottom of the garden and its open aspect borrows the view of mature trees in the adjoining paddock.

27 Avenue Road

As featured in Amateur Gardening magazine (May 2015) and opened for National Garden Scheme in 2014 & 2016. A constantly evolving garden that has gone through enormous changes over the last few years. Recent features are a sunken patio with rendered raised bed seating and a rotating seating pod. A winding path leads to a secret garden with lush foliage planting, through a 15ft curved rose tunnel to an oval lawn surrounded by mixed herbaceous borders. A plant addicts garden with an emphasis on unusual foliage form and colour. Front garden is a formal Box Parterre. Refreshments, fabulous homemade cakes, and beautiful, rare & unusual plants for sale from my private nursery.Wheelchair access to front garden and upper patio. 3 shallow steps down to sunken patio and seating area. 1 step and gravel path to rest of the garden and nursery.

29 Willesley Road

In total there is a 1/3 of an acre packed with a diverse and eclectic plant variety. A large
frontage including trees, shrubs, perennials and fruit trees. Also 22 square meters of raised
vegetable beds and a large Hosta collection. There is novel seating and planting around a
Silver Birch within the central roundabout. There is a grass collection along the access to the
rear garden. The rear of the garden consists of a patio, gravel and grass areas, rockery, small
tropical area, perennial area, octagonal greenhouse, fernery and a children’s walk with
seating and a play area. Also, there is a herb and strawberry collection and, as you may
expect, even more Hostas. New features this year include 2 large Tree Ferns and a Monkey
Puzzle Tree (Araucaria Araucana). We are keen to encourage wild life visitors so we have
lots of bird boxes, bird feeders, bug houses and a hedgehog feeding station. There are lots
of seating areas, including a large summerhouse where you can sit, relax and enjoy hot and
cold beverages, including posh biscuits.

2c Grange Close

Relatively new gardens having undergone landscaping. Firstly, the back garden in 2020 so that this garden is now on two distinct levels: featuring a circular lawn, pergola/ terrace area and wide borders heavily planted with shrubs and perennials. In 2022, the front garden was also landscaped with a multi-stemmed Silver Birch, circular lawns and borders. Both gardens focus on vibrant colours and strong contrasts. Partial wheelchair access but three large steps to lower level in back garden.

5 Cedar Close

The front is a dry garden with succulents.  The rear is entered through an ivy tunnel into the fernery with over  70 varieties of ferns, including 9 types of tree ferns.  A jungle, desert and oriental themed area surround a cottage garden and in a separate area are a collection of bonsai.  A red themed formal walk ends with a green man water feature. Also, a shady bed devoted to acers and hostas.  No wheelchair access and narrow arched bridge (difficult if unsteady on feet) to main garden

7 Avenue Road

The perfect spot to relax. Upon entering the garden onto the patio area, you are greeted by a full width pond, densely populated with water loving plants and overshadowed by ferns and Acers. A waterfall feature adds to the mood. Crossing this on large stepping stones takes you to the open area which is surrounded by fascinating perennial planting. Opened for National Garden Scheme in 2014 Wheelchair access to rear patio. 4 stepping stones over water to rest of the garden. Narrow alternative access from rear if stepping stones are unsuitable.

72 Tamworth Road

The garden consists of a small front garden which leads to a shady courtyard planted with shade loving plants. As you progress through the courtyard going under the brick arch you are then greeted by the circular lawned area, trees and herbaceous borders. At the very top there is a large sunny patio, plenty of seating throughout to enjoy the view. Opened for National Garden Scheme in 2014. Refreshments and toilet available. Not suitable for wheelchairs due to gravel drive/path. 2 steps up to lawned area and 2 steps to second patio.

97 Leicester Road

Allotments

Ashby Allotments Association has been in existence since 1978. There are about 100 plots varying in size from 50-400 sq yds. Traditionally vegetables are grown but you will also see fruit crops, herbs and flowers being cultivated. We are affiliated with Ashby Town Council and The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardens. We also have links with Ashby Bowls Club. Our own website www.ashbyallotments.org.uk offers advice about growing plants, a news page and contact details for further information. The allotment gardens are situated on the western side of the Town, near the Cemetery on Moira Road and can be reached by road via Wilfred Gardens. They can also be reached by foot from Donington Drive and also from Moira Road. Plants for Sale. Wheelchair access down main central avenue. Varied access to different plots as some paths are narrow or uneven. Official disabled toilet available on request.

Alton Ash, South Street

The front garden is divided into four rectangular yew lined beds with loose planting within. The back garden has a raised terrace with steps down to the lawn. The garden includes different areas including raised beds, a formal water feature, a bridge over a nature pond, a pergola with newly planted climbers and seating, and a fire pit with reclaimed railway sleeper benches. There are several fruit trees and densely planted flower beds. The garden is dominated by some large trees that create a lot of shade but they are also used to hang hammocks and a swing. Plants have generally been chosen to provide all year floral interest as well as habitat and food sources for wildlife.

11 Highgate

This is the fourth year this garden has been open. Each year something else is added- whether a sculpture or new bed or seating area – often made from recycled materials – there was a spider made from a door mat last year!.  Completely open plan corner plot in the middle of an estate. Well worth a visit if you want to be inspired to have a go at something a bit different!  A variety of different spaces including seating, sculptures and a mini maze!. Plus recycled tyre art and an art exhibition. Live music at various times throughout the weekend (weather permitting). Wheelchair accessible on the whole.

19 Wrekin Close

A garden that has seen a lot of changes over the last 3 years.  Recent planting include; 5 new herbaceous borders, new patio, wall, decking and seating areas and live willow fencing.  A passionate gardener, planting focuses on plant leaf and flower colour and form combinations – beds range from full sun to shade with mixed foliage, for all year round interest, to create an interesting flow around the garden.  The garden is on a few different levels as you move from one area to the other.

9 Brittany Avenue

When we arrived in December 2019 the small front and back garden had been mostly unkept for many years. The main feature was a stream running through our back garden, which was totally obscured and inaccessible. A complete clearance of sheds, patios, trees etc left a blank canvas. Come and see what we have done to begin the transformation of our garden into a living space for us, insects and birds. How we’ve turned our tiny stretch of the Gilwiskaw Brook, once an important source of water for the town and castle, into a tranquil and private area despite being overlooked from other houses in every direction.

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