The Garden is free to enter during regular opening times on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings and on Sunday afternoons throughout the year. Many thousands of people visit the Garden each year to enjoy the peace and quiet in this tranquil setting in the heart of Sawston. All visitors are very welcome, including young families and those with disabilities. The grounds are level almost everywhere, providing good access throughout. Disabled access across the car park up to the main entrance has been improved (with thanks to funding from Sawston Fun Run) and there are good compacted gravel paths leading to the main lawn.
We have an outdoor toilet close to the back of the House and a disabled toilet on the ground floor inside the House.
Dogs are allowed provided they are well behaved and kept on a leash.
During normal opening times, many regular visitors come to enjoy this wonderful outdoor space, including mother and baby groups, walkers and families. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume in the Garden. In addition, many village groups arrange get-togethers and meetings, including Women’s Institutes, Royal British Legion, OWL (Opportunities Without Limits), Mother’s Union, CamSight, Sing to Remember (a Dementia support group) and the Stroke Association amongst others.
We are particularly keen to welcome schoolchildren to use the Garden. In recent years, Bellbird Primary School has brought classes for nature-themed activities.
Booking is required for people who want to use the Garden outside of normal opening hours. A brief talk or a guided tour and refreshments can be requested if wanted, or visitors can make their own arrangements. This is particularly popular for:
Gardening club and horticultural societies
History groups and societies
Friendship groups, e.g. The Abington Group, Great Shelford Group
Annual meetings (e.g. WI, MU)
Youth groups (Brownies, Cubs, SYG)
Cambridge Rare Diseases Network (CRDN), a charity dealing with extremely rare health conditions, have held regular sessions each month to support members and their families. The Trust is very pleased to be associated with CRDN and to offer use of the Garden for their work.
