Sharpham Summer Open Day, Sunday 9 July
The Sharpham Trust is throwing open its doors and gates for its annual Summer Garden Open Day on Sunday July 9, from 10.30am to 4pm.
Join us for a jam-packed day of activities, including family fun, arts and crafts, music, a puppet show, bird and wildlife walks, foody workshops, mindfulness taster sessions, tours of the historic Grade 1-listed Sharpham House and Gardens, a beer tent (alongside our famed Sharpham Wine & Cheese) and even some swimming in Sharpham’s pool if the weather suits.
Click here to go to the event web page
Sharpham House is a mindfulness course and retreat centre – visited by people from all over the UK. So it’s a rare treat to be able to explore the 18th century buildings, grounds and inspiring views down the River Dart, within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
As well as the programmed events, there are ornamental gardens, woodland walks, the 18th century walled garden and the historic atmosphere to explore on the day, which runs from 10.30am to 4.00pm.
The day’s events
Experts will be at the event to support Sharpham’s ethos of connecting people to nature more closely.
Bird man Mike Langman – whose drawings illustrate many RSPB publications – will be leading a wildlife walk where you’ll begin to identify birdsong.
Or go bug-hunting in our organic orchards, studying the diversity of insect life that helps the Sharpham eco-system.
You’ll be able to learn about the rare bats living around Sharpham, and find out steps you can take back home to help their survival, thanks to the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project. Sharpham’s team of conservation volunteers will be teaching visitors to make bird and bat boxes to put around the Estate.
As Sharpham is a mindfulness course and retreat centre, try out this meditative practice with our qualified teachers, providing a safe entry into this field.
You can go foraging for wild food and wild medicine on the Sharpham Estate, learn about the probiotic benefits of fermentation or gain tips for growing vegetables from our gardeners.
The kids will love The Fisher-Knight’s Tale – a puppet show that comes with a craft workshop. Plus our swimming pool, with qualified lifeguards, will be open for splashing around.
There is excellent live music scheduled, with Emily Roblyn (who leads our Mindfulness through Singing retreat). She’ll be leading a workshop and performing in her own right, as well as fronting her choir Wild Harmony. Celebratory folksters Circe’s Diner, and well-known folk duo Harbottle & Jonas are also on the bill.
There will be talks on Sharpham’s history and heritage and a rare chance to explore the Georgian House and its famed cantilevered staircase, built in 1770.
Travel and parking
The Trust is encouraging visitors to walk, cycle, car-share or leave their cars behind and use Bob The Bus – the community bus in Totnes. The bus is free to use for Sharpham Summer Open Day visitors.
The bus will shuttle visitors between its stop at the Royal Seven Stars in the centre of Totnes and Sharpham Estate, beginning at 10.15am, with the final bus leaving Sharpham at 4.15pm. For a full timetable, visit our website at www.sharphamtrust.org
There is limited parking available on the day, and drivers will be charged £4 to park.
Food & drink
There will be a café within Sharpham House offering teas, coffees, cakes and biscuits, ensuring visitors are fully refreshed after their explorations.
There will be a beer tent in a tipi, offering locally-brewed ales and Sharpham Wines (naturally). Or book a table at the Sharpham Vineyard Kitchen, enjoying fresh, locally-sourced produce and award-winning Sharpham Wines and cheese.
Dogs aren’t allowed on the Summer Open Day, apart from guide dogs.
The Trust is looking for volunteers to help on this day (and at Sharpham Trust generally) so if you would like to get involved, please contact our Volunteers Co-ordinator [email protected]
