THE Longford Castle Gardens will be opened up to the public this weekend to support Salisbury Hospital-based charity Horatio’s Garden.

The event takes place on Sunday (June 11) from 2pm to 5pm.

Charity trustee Olivia Chapple said: “We are so delighted that the Countess of Radnor is opening her gardens at Longford Castle to the public in aid of Horatio’s Garden.

“Bunny Guinness, the celebrated garden designer and the designer of the fourth Horatio’s Garden in Oswestry, will open the event at 2.30pm.

“We will have jazz courtesy of Salisbury Big Band and tea and cakes.”

On Sunday, June 18, Horatio’s Garden itself will host a garden, food and plant fair from 11am to 3pm at its site in the Duke of Cornwall spinal treatment unit. Entry is free.

The garden, which is a peaceful place for patients, will have a selection of artisan and speciality foods from local producers and plants chosen by the garden’s designers Joe Swift, Cleve West, Bunny Guinness and James Alexander-Sinclair.

Olivia Chapple said the fair has become a local institution. She added: “We have a variety of stalls selling locally sourced crafts and gifts, artisan foods and the famous cake stall. We are also delighted to have plants for sale, selected by the Horatio’s Garden designers, including some straight from Chelsea Flower Show.”

“Money raised at both events will pay for the activities and events in the garden for patients with life-changing injuries and their families.

“We are also indebted to the volunteers who keep the garden looking pristine.”