Chance to visit Peckover House gardens in Wisbech for free

The National Trust is inviting those living in local communities close to Peckover House in Wisbech, to enjoy the garden for free during the summer holidays this year, from Tuesday (20) to September 3.

General Manager of the National Trust’s Peckover House and Garden, Donna Baldwin, said:

“We’re inviting local people who may not have visited us before to come and explore this beautiful walled garden, which is a hidden oasis in the heart of Wisbech. As part of the National Trust’s ambition to make everyone feel welcome at the places in our care, our work in Wisbech aims to help us understand how we can improve our connections with our local communities.

“At Peckover, we are going to be piloting free access to the garden during the summer holidays, which we hope will help us engage with more people from the local community, to find out what they like and want to see when visiting us in the future.

“At the same time, it will give more people the opportunity to access nature and enjoy the gardens in their summer glory, we’ll have garden games on the lawn, and our tea-room will be open if you just want to get a cup of coffee and sit in the garden or read a book.”

The gardens at Peckover have remained largely unchanged since its Victorian heyday. Renowned for its rose collection, trained on walls, arches and obelisks, there are currently more than 70 varieties in the collection, both historic and modern. A plant lovers' paradise, with glasshouses to explore, summer is a great time of year to visit.

Donna continued: “The Peckovers were a remarkable family of Quakers, who were concerned with various causes and had a strong connection with the community that surrounded them. As well as their banking business, they were responsible for much of the North Brink’s development in Wisbech as well as other key buildings in the town. Family members founded the Wisbech Institute, with the aim of providing an educational and recreational facility, and some became active members of the Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust. We hope to continue their legacy and work closely with the community that calls Wisbech home today.

“Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic. There’ll be rugs, tables, chairs and benches available to use.

Peckover’s Walled Garden will be open for free, Thursdays to Mondays, from 10am to 4pm from 20 July to 3 September 2023.

To visit Peckover house, visitors will need to book a place on the guided house experience which takes place Thursday to Monday at 10.30am 11.30am 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Booking is required in advance, this is free for National Trust members, or £8 per adult, £4 per child for non-members (family tickets are also available).

To plan your visit to Peckover, visit the National Trust’s website:https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/peckover-house-and-garden