Hidden Gardens
FRI 10 – SUN 12 JUL 2026
2025 Review
from Andy Jones, Hidden Gardens Coordinator
Well, that was a hot one! Normally we worry about one or two days of rain spoiling the Hidden gardens weekend, but this year we had the opposite problem – it was just too hot!
Many of you did manage to get out and visit some of the beautiful spaces our local gardeners look after, and I’m sure some of you bought programmes to support the event but decided not to venture out in cloudless skies and 30C+ heat. Thanks to all of you who supported the event in whatever way you chose.
Sales of the programme normally peak over the Friday & Saturday as people make their final plans for that last weekend of the Frome Festival, but this year we sold far fewer on those days. Even so, nearly 800 programmes were sold – including 200 online. We had sponsorship from Green & Gorgeous and from Ian Marlow Sculpture to offset some of our costs, so the event contributed over £5,500 to next year’s Frome Festival, up by 14% on the 2024 figure.
In addition, more than 30 gardens were selling refreshments, plants or craft work, raising over £4,200 for various good causes like Fair Frome, Dorothy House, Frome Baby Connections and Purple Elephant. That’s a 30% increase on 2024 so thanks again for all your generosity.
But of course the biggest win of all is that the Hidden Gardens event gets people out on the street with their maps, or sitting somewhere shady in each other’s gardens, chatting and learning and just being sociable. You really can’t put a value on that!
I’ve got a few weeks down time now, just chasing back the last few signs and notices, before early December when I start planning for next year, when Hidden Gardens of Frome 2026 will be on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 10th to 12th.
What is Hidden Gardens of Frome?
It’s an annual event when gardeners around Frome open their gardens to the public. Last year over 50 gardens were open – some of these are large, formal gardens but most are small or medium spaces in various stages of development! The key thing is that the gardeners are keen to share their space, their plans, and their achievements.
When is Hidden Gardens of Frome happening in 2026?
It will be in its traditional slot at the last weekend of the Festival, Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July. We’ve had some discussions about the challenges of those dates, but the synergy with the Frome Festival in terms of additional visitors to Frome, extra tickets sold for Festival events and people having time that weekend to take in some of the gardens is the main factor. For many people, Hidden Gardens of Frome is the highlight of the Frome Festival!
How do I get involved?
If you are interested in opening your garden for Hidden Gardens of Frome 2026, please email FromeHiddenGardens2022@outlook.com or click the button below and the Hidden Gardens team will contact you for a chat and probably arrange a visit to make sure you understand the process. These visits are non-judgemental, we know our visitors enjoy all sorts of gardens in all states of preparation / tidiness / wildness but they do allow us to check for any hazards that need to be highlighted and talk about potential parking issues etc.
What’s expected if I choose to open?
You’ll be asked to provide a couple of sentences describing your garden, and you’ll be included in the programme. Prior to the event we distribute numbered signs to be displayed on the days you are open, as well as some directional arrow signs. Ideally we ask gardeners to open at least two of the three days so that people have flexibility about how they tour around town – and also to minimise the impact of wet days. Standard opening hours are from 10:30am to 4:30pm each day. During that time visitors will just turn up and wander around, although they do appreciate having someone on hand to answer any questions – or just to have a chat.
What about the money?
The programmes are sold to raise funds for Frome Festival, nearly 800 sold raising approximately £5,500 in 2025. Hidden Gardens of Frome is one of the biggest contributors to Festival funds. We also encourage gardeners to offer plant sales or refreshments in support of your own favourite cause.
Do I need special insurance?
No, Hidden Gardens of Frome is part of Frome Festival, and the Festival insurance provides public liability cover. You should still highlight any obvious or unusual risks to your visitors, like slippery paths, loose steps, or bee hives.
Photo credit – Fiona Humphreys / Frome Wessex Photographic (2024)