AN historic walled garden, set to become a major North East tourist attraction, will be unveiled to the public with a week-long programme of special events.
The Walled Garden, at Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley, will open on Tuesday 4 August, with a breath-taking display of 3000 roses – and tickets have now gone on sale for the official opening.
Visitors to the event will see Sir John Hall and the UK’s leading rose expert, Michael Marriott cut the ribbon to officially open the Walled Garden, and be among the first to explore the site, which has been designed by multi-Royal Horticultural Society award-winning designer Alistair Baldwin.
They will then be invited to afternoon tea and Prosecco in the Grand Marquee, adjacent to the Walled Garden, with live entertainment from Opus Four String Quartet.
The £1.6m Walled Garden development, to the north of the Hall itself and within the estate’s 150 acres of grounds, houses a state-of-the-art visitor centre, shop and café, where visitors will be able to buy a wide range of locally-sourced goods and produce.
The official opening on 4 August heralds a week-long programme of events which continues on 5 August with a day of live jazz and children’s entertainment.
Then, on 6 August, a talk will be given between 1.30pm and 2.30pm about the history of the walled garden and there will be a chance to look at excerpts from an album created by Theresa, Lady Londonderry, about the Walled Garden at Wynyard.
A steel band, living statues and face painters will entertain visitors on 7 August while, on 8 and 9 August, Snow Queen Anna, Kristoff and Hans will keep children amused with story-telling, sing-a-longs and photos between 1.30pm and 2.30pm and 11.30am and 12.30pm respectively.
The Walled Garden is the second stage in a £5.3m rolling programme of work to create The Gardens at Wynyard Hall – which will eventually cover four acres and be one of the largest rose gardens in the UK.
The first stage, adjacent to the Walled Garden, was the £1.7m installation of a Grand Marquee and Marquee Garden, for weddings and large scale corporate events and further stages will include a £2m investment in the creation of a cookery school, children’s garden and valley walks through the parkland.
Tickets for the official opening on 4 August, which begins at 11am, include entrance to The Gardens and afternoon tea with Prosecco and cost £25 each. As numbers are restricted, pre-booking is essential, by calling 01740 644811 option 5 or online at www.wynyardhall.co.uk.
Normal admission prices – of £5 for adults, £2 for children aged between 5 and 12, £14 for a family pass for two adults and three children and £30 for an annual pass for up to eight visits a year – apply on subsequent days.
The Gardens and the Visitor Centre will be open daily between 10am and 5.30pm.
For further information visit www.wynyardhall.co.uk.