Edensor Village Open Gardens Day Saturday, 20th June, 11am-4pm

Once again, the ancient village of Edensor will be welcoming visitors for a traditional village fete in a tradition going back many decades, and as before, many of the residents will be opening their prized gardens for public viewing.

In recent years, notwithstanding an enforced break as a result of the pandemic, well over a thousand people attend the event throughout the day, with proceeds donated to several worthy charities. The origins of the day were a little humbler than can be seen today!

Annually there used to be a Village Day held in Edensor on St Peter’s Day where there was a fête and a display of local crafts held in the Church. In the 1920s a long wooden table would be set up on the village green and everyone joined together in afternoon tea where a much more frugal affair would have been served than we see today. Afterwards there would be races at the bottom of the Crobbs, since there was very little traffic on the road, which both adults and children would join in.

A long standing resident from the mid- eighties recalls “When we came here in 1987 the day comprised ploughman lunches in the gardens of Edensor House with beer and cider. We used the kitchens of Edensor House to prepare the food. The day itself was a village fête with the traditional stalls held on the green. There was much involvement for children.”

When Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess, moved into the village in 2005 she took over the day as primarily a church event with all the stalls in her garden and an open house where visitors were charged £5 to go around. Guides from the House were used to monitor the visitors. The stalls were manned by the congregation.

Nowadays the event is organised by a full committee comprising Edensor resident volunteers. Still run on traditional village fete lines, with entertainment and catering, craft stalls, bric-a-brac, vintage motor cars and bikes, there is a wide audience appeal. The architecture is quite unique, much dating back to the late 1700s and well worth a visit simply to appreciate the importance of Edensor Village in that respect alone. Combine that with an opportunity to walk around many of the gardens which residents proudly ‘open’ for a closer look, what better way to while away a summer’s day in the heart of the Peak National Park!

Official opening at 12 noon by The Duke of Devonshire. Entry £5 per adult, accompanied children under 14 free.

Proceeds from the event this year will support the following charities: Diabetes UK, Blythe House Hospice, Cancer Research and St. Peter's Churchyard Maintenance Fund.