Open Gardens 2020 – CANCELLED

Due to current restrictions on public events and a large number of garden owners self-isolating, we have made the sad decision to cancel all Open Gardens.

We understand that it is disappointing that the gardens are closed, they are not only a wonderful way of getting out and about and seeing beautiful places but they also raise vital funds for our hospice. We hope you will consider other ways you can keep our nurses in the hospice and on the road by clicking here. Thank you for your support.

Featuring over 90 individual gardens across 23 dates, ready to uplift and inspire you and your family and friends this spring and summer. Every one of them is located in a community where our charity provides its specialist care.

While each of these stunning private gardens and village walkabouts across Devon and Cornwall is different, with its own unique features and atmosphere, together as part of our popular scheme they are also a force for good. The income generated by Open Gardens goes directly into ensuring our highly skilled, compassionate team can continue providing specialist end of life care, helping local families going through the toughest of times.

While we give this help free of charge to those who need us, it does not come cheap, so the support we receive from the garden owners who generously throw open their gates – and the hundreds of people who visit – is crucial to sustaining the vital service we provide.

Year on year, our Open Gardens attract both regular visitors and new, giving them an enjoyable afternoon out, relaxing and being inspired in superb surroundings. We hope you will help spread the word and tell your family and friends about the scheme. This year sees popular Gnaton Hall opening for Mothering Sunday, providing a perfect spring outing with tea and cake served on the beautiful lawn, along with a special guest visit from Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.

This year’s bright and cheery brochure cover has been kindly designed by Kingsbridge digital artist Jennifer Cooper, who draws inspiration from our beautiful local surroundings.

Drake’s Island – POSTPONED

Discover the secrets of Drake’s Island and boost local hospice care

PLEASE NOTE: The May Drake’s Island tours have been moved to the rescheduled date of Wednesday 9 September 2020 due to the current coronavirus pandemic. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch by emailing funadmin@stlukes-hospice.org.uk.

Our Open Island tours are now SOLD OUT!

Thank you to everyone for your interest, we are thrilled to see the huge amount of support for the event and St Luke’s. For those of you who managed to get your ticket, we are looking forward to seeing you in March or May! We are aware that more chances to visit Drake’s Island could be coming up within the next 12 months for other charities. Keep your eyes peeled and make sure to follow the Drakes Island official channels.

For a small island, it has a big history – as well as an exciting future – so the exclusive opportunity to set foot on Drake’s Island as part of the first organised public tour of the iconic landmark for 30 years is set to spark stiff competition!

Our charity provides care for over 300 terminally ill people across the community every day – enabling them to live well to the end of their lives – is proud to have been chosen as the beneficiary of funds generated by ticket sales for the event, following a recent visit from Drake’s Island owner, Plymouth-based businessman Morgan Phillips, to our specialist unit at Turnchapel.

Each ticket sold will go towards helping our charity reach more people who desperately need the specialist service it provides for them and their loved ones at the most vulnerable of times.