Lymington Open Gardens returns with 14 inspiring gardens and a flourishing community spirit

Lymington’s much‑loved Open Gardens returns on Sunday 24 May, 2–6pm. Fourteen beautiful private gardens will open to raise essential funds for St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery and to enable its award‑winning community outreach programme to grow.

From hidden courtyards and imaginative planting to sweeping lawns and vibrant borders, this year’s trail offers a rare chance to enjoy some of the town’s most inspiring green spaces while supporting a valuable local charity.

Visitors can also enjoy a range of activities across the town:

• St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery (10am–4pm): including the Open Exhibition (normal admission fees apply) and the Old School Café serving light lunches and refreshments 
• Plant sales and homemade teas at the United Reformed Church (from 2pm), with proceeds supporting St Barbe
• Garden‑inspired cocktails at Stanwell House (12–8pm), raising further funds for the Museum

This year’s event also welcomes botanical artists from the New Forest Florilegium, who will be working in selected gardens and chatting to visitors about their practice and the Florilegium’s wider interest in New Forest plant species.

Maria Ragan, Director of St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery, said: “Open Gardens is a wonderful example of how creativity, community and generosity come together in Lymington. We are deeply grateful to Knight Frank, Colten Care and Lymington & Pennington Town Council for their generous support which makes this event possible. The funds raised help sustain our exhibitions, learning programmes and outreach work, ensuring St Barbe remains a welcoming cultural hub for everyone.”

Tickets and practical information

Entry to the gardens is by ticket only:

• £8 Early Bird (until 23 May): available online at stbarbe-museum.org.uk or from St Barbe Museum
• £10 on the day: available online or at St Barbe, the URC and Chawton House Surgery

Programmes — including full garden details and a helpful map — can be collected by ticket‑holders from St Barbe before the event or from any of the three ticket locations on the day.

We are deeply grateful to Knight Frank, Colten Care and Lymington & Pennington Town Council for their generous support which makes this event possible