Witham Open Gardens 2026

Witham Town Council is delighted with the response to the newly relaunched Witham Open Gardens event, held on Saturday 20 June, which brought visitors into ten local gardens and raised over £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. Residents and visitors alike turned out to enjoy the town’s green spaces, meet garden owners and support an important cause close to many families.

From small, wildlife‑friendly plots to larger family gardens and community spaces, each of the ten participating gardens offered something different for visitors to discover.

Several hosts offered refreshments, and many gardens featured seating areas where people could pause, chat and take in the planting schemes at a leisurely pace. Locations included private homes, the United Reformed Church garden, Fern House Surgery and St George’s Nursing Home, underlining the range of community spaces involved.

The Mayor of Witham, Councillor Paul Heath, commented: “Witham Open Gardens has shown just how much pride our residents take in their town and their outdoor spaces. It was wonderful to see so many people exploring these gardens, talking to one another and helping to raise such an impressive total for the Alzheimer’s Society. I would like to thank every garden owner, volunteer and visitor who played a part in making this new event such a success.”

Highlights on the route included tranquil wildlife gardens with ponds and nesting boxes, creative family gardens with play equipment and vegetable beds, and carefully tended borders full of colour and texture. Visitors were also able to see features such as a wormery, art pieces, videos of wildlife, water features and even a circus rig and living wall in development, reflecting the individuality of each garden.

Throughout the day, garden owners were on hand to answer questions, share tips and talk about the stories behind their spaces. The event also showcased how gardening supports wellbeing, with Fern Garden Group and St George’s Nursing Home highlighting the role of green spaces in health and residential care settings.

Witham Town Council intends to build on this year’s success and is already planning next year’s Open Gardens event. Residents who are interested in opening their garden are invited to contact openspacesadmin@witham.gov.uk to find out more about what is involved.

The Council looks forward to welcoming even more gardens and visitors next year and to continuing to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society through this community‑spirited day.