Some places hold more than memories – they carry the spirit of family, friendship and community. For decades, Hatch House has been one of those places.
The annual Open Garden at Hatch House has become a highlight of the Salisbury Hospice Charity fundraising calendar.
What began as a simple idea between friends – a walk through the walled garden to raise money for charity – has blossomed into a much-loved tradition. From tea and cakes to stalls of second-hand treasures, the Hatch House Open Garden is a delightful gathering that supports the local community in a meaningful way.
Lady Holly Rumbold, for whom Hatch House is home, created the Open Garden alongside her friend Elspeth Vernon. She recalls:
‘When our children were little, my friend and business partner Elspeth and I spent our summers at Hatch House. Those days were filled with pony rides, visits to Longleat, endless walks, and the bustle of cooking and laundry for six lively children. It was busy, it was joyful, and it became the backdrop to an idea that has since grown into something very special.
‘One summer, we decided to open the gates of Hatch’s beautiful 17th-century Dutch-style walled garden to raise a little money for charity. At first, all we offered was a gentle walk among the flowers. The takings were modest, but the seed had been planted. The following year, we added tea, cakes and clothes: a mix of surplus from our own wardrobes, our London shop and glamorous cast-offs from my mother-in-law, strung up on a ladder by our gardener, Cyril Eldridge. This simple gesture became a treasured tradition that raised far more than we ever imagined.’
More people, same ethos
Since those early days, the event has flourished. Now supported by Virginia Fairhurst, Joanna Jacobs and the Tisbury Fundraising Committee, Hatch House Open Garden welcomes visitors each year to browse second-hand treasures that tell stories of their own. Furniture, books, bric-a-brac, jewellery and, of course, the fabulous fashion that has become synonymous with the event.
Most importantly, as guests step into this enchanting garden, they have the opportunity to give something back. Every ticket sold and every purchase made supports compassionate end-of-life and palliative care for local people, upholding the ethos at the heart of the event.
To date, the Hatch House Open Garden has raised more than £250,000 for Salisbury Hospice – an incredible total that is testament to both its popularity and its lasting legacy.
Hatch House Open Garden is on Sunday 30th August 2026, 11am–4.30pm, at Hatch House, Newtown, Tisbury SP3 6PA
£5 adults, £2 children
For more information, please call 07715 639842.
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