A SILK Mill will be hosting its first every open garden event to raise money to help preserve the endangered craft of silk weaving.

The Whitchurch Open Gardens event will be taking place on Sunday, July 2 and Whitchurch Silk Mill, from 1pm.

Whitchurch has blossomed over the last few years. With its historical network of old coaching routes, pathways, and brick and flint walls, people have created a patchwork of attractive hidden gardens with trees, grass lawns, natural hedges and neat front gardens. Together they have created a green haven in the smallest town in Hampshire.

Now some of these unique gardens are to be showcased to the public for the first time to help raise money to help keep the endangered heritage skills alive at Whitchurch Silk Mill.

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Nine gardens will be open to visitors as part of the Whitchurch Silk Mill Open Gardens Trail. Visitors can tour a Mediterranean-inspired garden, a hot zingy garden, a woodland garden, a restored Victorian Villa garden with wildlife-friendly twists, the former garden of a world-renowned author and a garden where there are four gardens in one.

Whitchurch Silk Mill will showcase its stunning setting and beautiful ornamental-grass-rich herbaceous borders with native flowers and its popular willow den designed by Katherine Lee Garden Design.

The opening has been spearheaded by a small volunteer team working with Katherine Lee Garden Design, Jo South Artworks and in close partnership with Whitchurch residents who have kindly opened their gardens to support the Grade Two Star listed Regency Watermill.

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They hope the event will bring garden lovers to the town and the Mill. And inspire people with the gardens they’ll see and the stunning Mill grounds on the banks of the River Test.

Admission is £10 for all Whitchurch Gardens and can be purchased online or at the Mill on the day. Tickets may also be purchased at some of the gardens taking part in the day.