Attractions

Open Gardens

Thirteen of the most interesting village gardens are open to visitors. The locations of these gardens can be found on the Map page of this website – simply click or hover over the numbered gardens to see a description of the garden; your program also includes descriptions of each garden. The Garden Gallery page of this website allows you see a sample of the gardens on view.
The Gardens are open between 1pm and 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Depending on the weather and timing of the fly past (see below) the gardens may open earlier on Saturday.

Plant  & Preserve Sales

As last year you will be able to purchase some of the plants you see in the various gardens. This year however, the sale together with homemade preserves and chutneys will be in the Timbrills Garden (Garden No. 11), directly on Main Street.

Beckford Nature Reserve

The Nature Reserve is accessible via Court Farm Lane or Ashton Road. Parking for the disabled is available at the Ashton Road entrance, but general parking should be at the Village Hall. Wheel chair access is possible at the Ashton Road entrance and a wheelchair friendly hide is accessible. For more information about the Reserve please visit www.beckfordnature.org.uk.

Tombola

The ever popular Tombola will be returning to the Village Green again this year

Horse drawn carriage rides (to be confirmed)

While the gardens are open opn Sunday only, to access the more remote garden (Court Farm House, Garden No. 3) we offer a horse drawn carriage ride to reach the garden – catch it at the Stabling (Garden No. 4).

This beautiful 12th century church lies at the heart of the village and is well worth a visit, with its wonderful south door, an excellent series of windows, a 15th century font, and a tower of exceptional interest.

The church was originally constructed in the 12th century, with various modifications being made through the centuries as a result of fashion, disrepair or fire. The last major modifications were made to the Tower in the early 1950s, when repair work to the lead flashing on the roof caused a fire that destroyed the upper part of the Tower. Around this time several of the bells were re-cast and re-hung in a steel framework – a major operation for such an old church.

During the Open Village the church will form a backdrop to a wonderful  display of flower arrangements, which celebrate “Life in our Village” – an essential part of this special weekend.

There is also a finely detailed 1/40-scale model of the Church, with a roof that lifts to reveal an immaculate model of the current interior.

On Saturday at 1pm the bells will be rung to mark the opening of The Beckford Open Village.

More about the church can be found on the ‘Great English Churches‘ website, where Mary Curtis Webb has written an interesting article about our church and also on our sister website – The Shieling.

Church Tower Visits

If you are interested in the ‘Bells of Beckford’ you may visit the ringing chamber while the bells are being rung – between 1:30pm and 2:00pm on Saturday, just after the start of the Open Village; also on Sunday between 6pm and 6:30pm just before the closing service. The ellacombe will be rung at 1pm on Sunday to mark the beginning of the Sunday session of the Open Village. All are welcome to come and watch the ringing in the ringing chamber and then make the additional climb to see the bells. If there are enough ringers available it may be possible to climb to the bell chamber and see the bells while they are being rung – ear defenders will be supplied, but only two people at a time will be able to enter the bell chamber.

On Saturday and Sunday when the bells are not being rung you will be able to visit the tower and climb further up the spiral staircase to see the bell chamber. For health and safety reasons, you will not be able to climb onto the roof of the tower. Please see your Open Village programme for the times of the Tower Visits.

If you would like to learn more about the bells in the church, visit Beckford Bells.

Access to the tower is via the spiral staircase on the north side of the church – not accessible from inside the church. Please be aware that the access to the ringing chamber involves a climb of 26 steps up a narrow stone sprial staircase. If you wish visit the bell chamber (only accompanied) it is a further 45 steps. Children under 16 must be accompaied by an adult at all times.

Closing Service at the Church

At the close of the weekend’s festivities on Sunday at 6pm, do join us in church at 6:30pm for a peaceful and reflective service in a flower-filled country church.

It has become a tradition to end the Open Village event with a service of thanksgiving for the blessings of Open Village.The service will be led by Rob Jones.

The service will feature some popular hymns and will be around 30 minutes long, so the evening will still be yours to enjoy.

Church Model

Inside the church you will find a finely detailed 1/40-scale model of the church, with a roof that lifts to reveal an immaculate model of the current interior. Made by Paul Buckley in 2004 to celebrate his Golden Wedding Anniversary to Doreen.

Teas & Cakes

Beckford WI will provide teas and delicious homemade cakes from 1pm to 6pm  on Saturday and Sunday in the Village Hall.

Champagne Bar and Barbecue

This hugely popular attraction is hosted in the walled garden of The Stabling (Garden No 4). Come and relax in the beautiful surroundings where we will be serving a selection of champagne, artisan gins, wines, beers and soft drinks too.

A BBQ will also be available for those who want to enjoy some savoury food. A perfect place to sit and relax!

Baguettes & Cider

Come along to the wonderful walled garden of Adsett Cottage (Garden No 10), pick up a picnic blanket and enjoy freshly made artisan baguettes and cider.

Ice Cream

Come along to Rose Villa in the Main Street to enjoy delicious ice creams in a wonderfully tranquil setting.

Classic Vehicles

Local enthusiasts will be displaying their ‘pride and joys’ in the courtyard of The Old House (Garden No 7) and on the village green.

Depending on the number of vehicles exhibiting, they may be found elsewhere in the village.

If you would like to exhibit your special car at our Open Village event, just fill out the contact us form explaining what car you have and we will get back to you.

Vintage Radios

Keith Yates will be displaying many vintage radios from his collection, some domestic wireless sets and a few military sets.  These can be seen in the summerhouse of Vanilla House (Garden No 1), where the garden is open.

You will be able to go back in time and listen to 1950’s recordings such as ‘Children’s Favourites‘ and ‘The Billy Cotton Band Show‘.

New this year, and of special interest amongst the military section, is a radio from a Word War 2 Lancaster Bomber. You can also have a go on the Morse Key and the children can learn to spell their name in Morse Code. As well as the radios there is a working bakelite TV made in 1950, again showing old favourites such as ‘Hancock’s Half Hour‘, Bill and Ben‘ and many more. Keith, the owner of the collection, is on hand to answer questions.

Vintage Plane Flypast (to be confirmed)

On Saturday & Sunday the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will conduct a low-level fly past along Main Street. This is a very special addition to Beckford Open Village. Do turn out to see these icons of the air – you can always have lunch at The Beckford, the Old Post Office or The Eatery so you won’t miss the spectacle.

Old Beckford Photos

Wonderful historic photos of years gone by in Beckford will be on display in the Village Hall as a backdrop whilst you enjoy your teas and cakes. Additionally, The Beckford Hotel also host many old photos in large print.

Julie July

On Saturday we have the fabulous Julie July & Don Macleod playing folk, rock and blues music in The Stabling (Garden No 4)

Foregate Brothers

On Saturday, the Foregate Brothers will be playing in the gartden of Court Farm House (Garden No. 3)
On Sunday, they will be wooing the crowds in The Stabling (Garden No 4)

Paul Anthony

On Saturday afternoon between 3:00pm and 4:30pm accoustic guitar artist Paul Anthony will be playing Rock & Pop Covers from the 60s to Present at Mullberry House (Garden No 15)

Winchcombe Choir

On Sunday afternoon, Winchcombe Choir will be performing in the garden of Mulberry House (Gatrden No. 15)

Throughout the weekend the Church will be filled with background music…

Stone Mason Demonstration

David, a talented local stonemason, will be doing stone carving demonstrations and a small display of his works. He may even let children have a go!

If you’re passing the Jubilee Stone in Beckford, originally erected for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1877, the stone commemorating the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 was carved by David. David’s stand will be in the garden of Couirt Farm House (Garden No. 3), which can be reached using the Horse and Carriage Rides.

Metal Artwork

We are excited to have MetalArt at this year’s Open Village, displaying handcrafted metal sculptures to buy for your home and garden. The wonderful sculptures are mostly inspired by the natural world, by recycling and repurposing scrap metal into beautiful works of Art.

The sculptures will be diosplayed in the garden of Carrant Brook House (Garden no. 14)

Local Artwork

Jilly Fornara will be showing her work at Carrant Brook House (Garden No. 14)

Croquet

Beckford Croquet Club, located next to the Tennis Club has two ‘lawns’. During the open village one lawn will be dedicated to fun and games, while the second lawn will be reserved for demonstrations, and for visitors to have a go at playing the game and perhaps learning the rules of croquet.
Next to the club house is a small area where some croquet hoops have been placed for children to have a go – we will provide special mallets for the children.

Pickleball at Beckford Tennis Club

For those of you who do not know pickleball – it’s like tennis but played with a perforated plastic ball and uses rackets similar to table-tennis bats, but larger. Rules and scoring is different than tennis…
If you would like to try your hand at pickleball, we have 2 courts and all equipment available for children and adults to play during Beckford Open Village.
Courts will be open from 2pm until 4pm on both days. Entry via the coquet lawns or the children’s playground. Soft flat shoes or trainers will be needed.

Bee pollinators

Come along to Court Farm House (Garden No. 3) to meet Martyn from Merry May Honey and learn about the art of beekeeping, and their importance as a pollinator

Bats pollinators

Evesham Bat Care will be inside the Church to talk about the amazing work they do looking after the welfare of our local bat population. Find out more about how bats are so vital, pollinating so many plant species during their “nightshifts”. If you like Tequila, then you’ll love the bats!

Trail Quiz

For our Chridren’s Treaasure Trail, the young explorers need to seek out the specially decorated pumpkins (kindly created by the Country Pumpkins Nursery) hidden throughout the open gardens, to spell out the answer to the quiz.

The entry forms and instructions are available at the sales kiosk (the Airstream caravan by the Village Hall) and every completed trail form will receive a small treat and if you leave your email address when you drop off the form, you will be entered into a prize draw.

Children’s Play Areas

As well as the playground by the Village Hall, there is a special play area provided for younger children inside the church at the west end. Children must be accompanied as there is no supervision.

Toddler Group

There will be a selection of toys, provided by our Toddler Group, at the rear of the Church to keep our very youngest visitors entertained.

Photos courtesy of Freepik