Information on Loughborough

Village open gardens event in its 20th year

Posted on 05/06/2008
P. Klein

flowers in a garden

A rare chance to see a restored windmill, and tours of the local church will be among the attractions on offer this weekend during a village’s 20th Open Gardens event.

Back in June 1989 Woodhouse Eaves near Loughborough saw its first Open Gardens. This Saturday and Sunday, over 20 gardens will open to the public to mark the occasion, including 6 gardens that are open for the very first time.

St Pauls Church, which was built in 1837, will be open from 1pm each day, and tours of the church, including the story of the stained glass windows will run throughout the weekend.

Woodhouse Eaves Windmill, which burnt down in 1945, was restored five years ago and will also be open. Spectacular views of the Soar Valley and Charnwood Forest can be enjoyed from the top.

Several of the gardens will serve cream teas and other refreshments.

The windmill and the gardens will open on Saturday and Sunday (7th and 8th of June) from 2pm. This year the windmill will be open until the later time of 6pm, following its popularity at 2007s event.

A spokesperson for the Open Gardens event said, "We have worked hard to make the 20th Woodhouse Eaves Open Gardens the best yet, with more gardens open to the public than ever before.

People who come along also have the unique opportunity to have a look inside the Windmill, which is usually only open to groups and on special occasions like this."

Entry to the gardens, windmill and church is by a ‘Passport’ which can be purchased in advance from the Newsagent and Oakwood Pharmacy or at the gardens themselves on the day. Passports are £4 (children free) and are valid for both days, so if visitors do not get a chance to see all of the gardens on the Saturday, they can come back again the next day.

All proceeds from the sale of the passports and refreshments will go to the Church fund.