Grey Abbey House to open gardens for charity

An opportunity to explore the private and magnificent gardens of Grey Abbey House, set against the backdrop of Strangford Lough on the Ards Peninsula, Northern Ireland, will arise in September when the garden opens for charity.

The garden will open on Saturday 8th September – from 2pm to 5pm – when owners William and Daphne Montgomery will open the 17th century garden and welcome visitors for one day only in aid of conservation charity the Woodland Trust.

The formal gardens are breath-taking and the mature parkland, lake and remains of a Cistercian abbey all add to an unmissable afternoon.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy the ‘Southern Hemisphere garden’ containing collections of plants from New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia and Argentina; the late summer border and the walled garden. Two orchards boast an enviable collection of Victorian fruit trees and recently planted Irish apple trees. (pictured left: Echium candicans)

Patrick Cregg is the director of the Woodland Trust and says:

“The extensive grounds of Grey Abbey House are truly out of this world. They provided the venue for the recent drama series Woman in White, so those who have already had a glimpse will definitely want to join us.

“Usually only open to organised groups, this is a refreshing opportunity for members of the public to feast their eyes upon acres of stunning gardens. We’re very grateful to Mr and Mrs Montgomery for supporting our work in this way.”

Admission is £5 per adult. Booking is recommended, though not essential. Find out more and book a place at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/events or telephone 0330 333 5302 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm). Grey Abbey House sits in the village of Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2QA.

Photo credits: all photographs © and courtesy of Grey Abbey House.