Category Archives: open gardens

Katharine House Hospice Open Gardens – host needed


The Katherine House Hospice Open Gardens scheme is returning in 2026 and they have asked if Horley could participate. It would need a host to organise the event as Anne Owen isn’t able to do it this time. If you’d like to get involved, here are some more details from Katharine House House:

From carpets of snowdrops and spring blossom to summer borders and rich autumn colour, every season is welcome. Opening your garden helps raise vital funds so we can continue caring for patients and families in our community when they need us most.

Our own gardens here at the hospice which are amazingly maintained by volunteers each week, are very special to all our patients and their loved ones.

What makes Katharine House special – “It’s beautiful gardens. The gardens are stunning; they’re part of the whole experience. And the fact that they are looked after by volunteers is incredible. Mum was a brilliant gardener, so she loved the gardens. They even got the bed outside for her so she could enjoy them more.” 

Over the years, Open Gardens has raised tens of thousands of pounds, helping us to provide compassionate care and to maintain the beautiful gardens here at Katharine House, which brings comfort to so many of the people we support.

We hope you will be able to join our calendar of open gardens events this year for visitors to explore and enjoy your garden in Horley which will help make a difference for our patients and their loved ones.

To please find out more and register your interest for this year Open Gardens for Katharine House | Katharine House Hospice

Katharine House Hospice – Host an Open Garden for Katharine House Hospice – form


Our friendly fundraising team is on hand to support you, making it easy and enjoyable to take part.

Help us continue providing specialist palliative care for adults with life-limiting illnesses in our community.

In total, it costs more than £5.9m per year to run every element of Katharine House Hospice. This equates to over £16,000 per day. Fundraising is particularly difficult now, and we are doing everything we can to raise more funds so that we can ensure that our special hospice is here now, tomorrow and in years to come, for you and your loved ones.​

Hornton Open Gardens – Sunday 29 June

On Sunday 29  June, come along and enjoy visiting the varied gardens of Hornton.   Teas, raffle and a plant stall. Proceeds to be shared equally between Katharine House Hospice and village causes.  Cash only.

You can visit ten very different gardens from small to extensive – with interesting features and planting. The Grade 1-listed parish church will be open to visitors and has an interesting  Medieval “doom” painting. The Victorian Methodist chapel and the village pub, The Dun Cow, on West End will also be open. 

Tickets:  Combined entry to all the gardens £8, children free.  Cash only.  Tickets available on the village green opposite the post box.

Parking:  Disabled parking at the Methodist Chapel, Millers Lane, OX15 6BS. General parking at Hornton Pavilion (village hall), Bell Street, OX15 6DB. 

Accessibility:   Parts of some gardens are wheelchair accessible. Please take great care in the gardens, especially if you are looking after children. Some gardens have uneven surfaces, steps, steep slopes and ponds/water features. Hornton stone is very slippery indeed when wet! 

Dogs:  .On leads, please. Thank you for clearing up after your dog. 

Refreshments: Teas and home-made cakes will be available in the garden of The Cottage in Church Lane, OX15 6BY.