GARDEN VISIT
Benton End, Hadleigh,Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 5JR.
Sunday 5 June
A chance to visit the garden of the renowned artist-plantsman, Sir Cedric Morris at the start of the new restoration project (see p.26 of the newsletter), and when his irises will be in flower.
Visit to Benton End and Sarah Cook's National Collection of Sir Cedric Morris Irises at Hullwood Barn, Shelley.
The visit will begin at 11am in Sarah's own garden at Shelley to see Morris’s irises en masse, as well as many other historic irises that Sarah has been collecting over the years. As former head gardener of Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, Sarah is an enthusiastic ambassador for these coveted plants.
At 1 pm we will then travel 15 minutes to Benton End, the former home and art school of the celebrated artist-plantsman, Sir Cedric Morris. You are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the 3-acre garden at Benton End where a glass of wine and soft drinks will be served. Lucy Skellorn researcher for Benton End will be on hand and will give a tour of the beautiful 16th-century Grade II* house and its once renowned garden.
This is a rare opportunity to see the garden in its very early stages of restoration – before The Garden Museum embarks on reviving the site.
Tickets are £20 each, with all proceeds going to The Benton End Garden Trust, a subsidiary charity of The Garden Museum.