Cocking’s hidden gardens were opened to the public to help raise funds for the Blue Bell Community Hub Refurbishment Fund.

On Sunday June 16th, 2019, the owners of beautiful hidden gardens in Cocking threw their gates open, visitors enjoyed the village’s treasure trail of beauty and variety.

Due to the variety of the gardens, there was something suitable for everyone’s tastes, whether visitors liked traditional or modern gardens, closed courtyards or sweeping vistas of the South Downs.

After a very wet start to Sunday morning the day could not have gone better. Our first visitors were knocking on the Blue Bell at 10.45 suitably clad with umbrellas in hand.

The Garden Group kept faith, and the day got better, both weather and visitor wise. They came from far afield, by bus, car and by foot all 308 of them.

Cocking was crowded with folk clutching their orange maps and they stayed to the bitter end with the last arriving at their final garden well past 6.00.

A big thanks to all the Team (Janet, Toni, Jennifer, Susan, Sylvie and Philippa) a great result not only one of getting together, greeting each other and visitors alike, but also for the Blue Bell Community Hub Refurbishment Fund – a massive £2,523.12 raised so far.

An enormous thank you to the 14 garden owners who worked so hard on their gardens putting on wonderful displays and showing people around!