The Secret Gardens of Topsham are re-opening at Topsham Museum for the first time since Covid this summer.

The re-opening is taking place on Sunday, June 11, organised by the museum. 

Organisers say the event is hugely popular with residents but also draws hundreds of people to the town to take advantage to see 12 hidden gem gardens.

These are usually private but their owners have agreed to throw open their doors to visitors for just five hours.

Rachel Nichols, president at Topsham Museum, said: “It is a wonderful day for garden lovers of course, but it’s also a lovely event for the entire family who can explore the hidden paths and waterside walks of Topsham.”

Rachel Nichols, who is leading this year’s event as president of Topsham Museum, was one of the organisers of the very first Secret Gardens day back in 2004.

She said: “Like all of our museum activities, this event is undertaken entirely by volunteers who have been planning it since last year, not to mention the garden owners who all take huge pride in displaying their beautiful plants and gardens.”

In addition to seeing the gardens themselves, green-fingered visitors can enjoy a specialist plant stall at the Museum’s waterside garden - including selections from some of the Secret Gardens themselves - and can enjoy tea and delicious home made cakes at two lovely gardens along the route.

All proceeds from the event go towards running Topsham Museum which has its main building in one of the 17th century houses on Strand, close to the Exe, and which also has displays in a restored red telephone box in the heart of the town.

Topsham Museum has a popular and frequently-updated website and virtual tour, plus an online shop. The Museum additionally has displays in a red telephone box in the town, serving as a year-round outpost and attraction.