Open Gardens Visitor Information

What information do open garden need to provide for visitors?

Location

One of the first things visitors are looking to do is to find an open garden near to them.

Whether they are on holiday or if they are just looking for a day out.

So make sure that your full address and postcode are clear and easily found on your webpage or social media account.

We would also recommend using something like what three words as well as postcode.

This is because a postcode can cover quite a wide area and if your garden route starts in the middle of a village with no real address it can be quite hard to find that starting point.

Dates / Time

As well as the address then people need to know the dates and times your event is taking place.

Be really clear on start and finish dates and times not just of the events but also of refreshments and craft stalls.

Tickets & Costs

Most open garden have a ticket cost so ensure this is clear as to how much, for how many days and who requires a ticket.

Many open gardens admit under 16’s or children free of charge or at a reduced rate. So that should covered in your ticket pricing.

You also need to say how, where and when tickets can be purchased.

So either online, in person from participating gardens, in local shops, from churches or village hall.

Access

This is something that many gardens do not really address and they should.

We would recommend doing a small risk assessment on each garden and make note of potential issues for those with disabilities.

Think of things like the road and path surfaces. Are these suitable for wheelchair use or for those using walking aids?

And consider those who are visually impaired. How easy would it be for them to get around either with or without assistance?

Dogs at the gardens

As above make it clear if you accept assistance dogs in any or all of your gardens.

Makes sure these gardens are clearly marked on your map or ticket where possible.

And do you accept pet dogs as well? If so what are the conditions – eg on a lead or if you have areas where they can go off lead state that as well.

Toilets

Super important! Most people will be travelling long distances and often with elderly parents or young children.

So make it clear what facilities you have available and again mark their location on your ticket or map.

And of course are they suitable for use by those with disabilities?

Refreshments

Often the highlight of many a garden visit – at least for me! I love a homemade cake!

So what refreshments are available, where and when? Whether a cream tea, bbq, pimms tent, sandwiches or pub food people really do like to know what they can get to eat and drink.

And nowadays people do expect more vegetarian, vegan, diet friendly food so if you have it, shout about it!

Plant Sales

Folks really do like to take away mementos from their visit so if you have local plants for sale at a stall or in the gardens let people know. Include location, opening times and what type of plants are available.

Craft Stalls

Often a very good money maker for your chosen charity craft stalls add an additional reason for people to visit.

List all the stalls you have and what they are selling, where they are located and when they are open.

Entertainment

We all like additional forms of entertainment at an open garden event whether a brass band, games, play areas, folk music, choirs in churches or poetry readings.

If people are travelling from afar or making a day out of it they need to know what else they can do when they are at your event. So let them know!

Parking & Directions

Give concise directions to the best location for people to arrive at. This could be the village hall or a car park. Use postcode or what three words and provide a link or embed a map on your website page.

Proceeds

Open gardens are often run to support local charities and people like to know where their ticket money is going so be sure to make this clear.

Contact details

If you can find a volunteer or two who are willing to make their email or telephone numbers so they can be contacted on the day this will help people to feel they have a point of contact. Well worth doing if you can.

Garden Information

Last on this list as I wanted to get the admin section out of the way!

When it comes to detailing your gardens less is not more on this occasion.

Give people a good idea of the number of gardens, the style, sizes, plants, trees, fruits, vegetables and special features – eg ponds, sculptures, rare plants etc

Ideally you want to make the gardens as appealing as possible and at the same time make them want to see more.

Quite often it’s the quirky features that grab people’s attention. Things like scented gardens for visually impaired, bio diverse gardens, model railways, bee hives, water mills, woodland walks or picnic areas.

Your event will have things that make it unique so big them up and make sure people know about them.