10 March 2010 The former home of children’s illustrator Mabel Lucie Attwell and now a 5-star luxury B&B in the seaside resort of Eastbourne, Ocklynge Manor is opening its gardens to the public for the first time later this year as part of the National Gardens Scheme.
The AA 5-star Gold Bed and Breakfast accommodation set behind an ancient flint wall in Eastbourne is listed in the 2010 Yellow Book, the official guide to gardens open for charity under the National Gardens Scheme (NGS).
More than 600 new gardens are opening as part of the NGS this year and Ocklynge Manor’s famous previous owner and the hidden oasis of a stunning ½-acre chalk garden mean that it has been picked to feature in the front pages of the Yellow Book and highlighted by Gardeners World presenter Joe Swift in an article in The Independent.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “The gardens at Ocklynge Manor are spectacular and opening to the public later this summer means that everybody has the chance to explore for themselves and enjoy a walk in one of Eastbourne’s best kept secret gardens. I would encourage as many visitors as possible to go along for this rare opportunity to step inside the world that was once the home of one of children’s best loved illustrators.”
Ocklynge Manor will open the gates to its garden on Wednesday 5th May between 2pm and 4.30pm with representatives from Eastbourne District General Hospital selling teas and cakes to visitors raising money for charity.
Visitors will be able to explore the vast garden full of colour and life, featuring architectural and unusual trees offering plenty of places to sit in the sun and shade, plus rhododendrons, azaleas, and acers in containers. Visitors will also have the chance to see the historic blue plaque on the road-side wall dedicated to the Peter Pan illustrator.
The beautiful garden has been developed over the past 20 years with current owners, Wendy and David Dugdill working hard to maintain its first class appearance.
Wendy said “It has taken 20 years of trial and error to reach this point. Working with 10 inches of top soil, tree roots and dry shade has been a challenge! The Friends of Eastbourne District Hospital are kindly organising the teas, so we just have to keep our fingers crossed for some good weather.”
For more information on Ocklynge Manor visit the Ocklynge Manor website or telephone 01323 734121.
