Beautiful private estate gardens open for Cobalt

The stunning estate of Stowell Park in the heart of the Cotswolds will open its gates for a fundraising event on Sunday 14 July in aid of Cobalt. Visitors can take in the spectacular views and delightful terraced gardens. The garden opens from 2pm to 5pm. Admission will be £6 and free of charge for under 16’s. Homemade teas will be available to take in the ballroom. This year, short talks from Chris Oldham, Head Gardner and Nina O’Hare, Archaeologist, will be held in the walled garden and Church of St Leonard to make the most of the history and heritage of Stowell Park.

The estate near Northleach spans 6,000 acres and has panoramic views of the Coln Valley. Stowell Park only opens three times a year to the public. The garden features beautiful floral displays, borders and terraces. A cut flower garden spans half an acre and visitors can enjoy walking round the herbaceous plant collection, a kitchen garden, vineries and peach houses. Glass houses are home to a wide range of pot plants, from alpine flowers to tropical orchids and well stocked water gardens at the bottom of the arboretum.

St Leonard’s Church resides in the grounds and will be open to visitors on the day. It dates back to the 12th century and houses one of the earliest wall paintings to survive in England.

Kirsty Bradbury, Fundraising Engagement Officer, Cobalt said “The gardens are wonderful and volunteers will be helping us on the day to serve teas and homemade cakes in the ballroom. It’s a rare opportunity to visit the private estate of Lord and Lady Vestey and we are delighted they are opening up the gardens to support us. This year we have an exclusive Stowell Park recipe available in the event programme offering visitors a chance to replicate a taste of what life is like living in a country estate”.

A selection of homemade refreshments will be on offer. Proceeds of the open garden will be put towards the work the charity do to support local cancer and dementia patients. For more information contact the fundraising team on fundraising@cobalthealth.co.uk or 01242 535922. Follow Cobalt on Twitter @cobaltfr or like @CobaltSupporters on Facebook.

Stowell Park, Yanworth, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 3LE. Assistance dogs only.