In this issue of Community Update, we are delighted to select Little Ponton Hall Gardens for our Commitment to Excellence Award for 2024.
Little Ponton Hall and its gardens are the jewel in the Grantham crown, burrowed next to the winding Lincolnshire River Witham and renowned for its spectacular grounds. The gardens are open annually in early Spring to the public to view the spectacular showing of snowdrops and aconites, as well as open-air summer events, private visits and the first wedding planned for August 2024.
The 18th century grade II listed home is home to George and Bianca McCorquodale and their respective three children, with much-loved Head Gardener John Rudd and wife Gill Rudd looking after the gardens.
The grounds could be straight out of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s ‘The Secret Garden’- following the snowdrops and aconites, the hellebores and daffodils arrive, followed tout de suite by an abundance of David Austin roses in the summer months, surrounded by trellis, clematis and fragrant-smelling Star Jasmines. It is the perfect backdrop for a quintessential English summer wedding.
“Our gardens are perfect for smaller, intimate wedding parties with 50-75 guests. We have our first wedding booked for this August, with the walled garden, 200-year-old Cedar tree, blooming roses and picturesque river walk giving the perfect scenery for romantic wedding photos.
The nearby village St Guthlac church has stunning stained-glass windows and 1000-year-old horse head stone masonry by the roof,” explained owner George McCorquodale.
For families looking for entertainment during the summer holidays, there is a Princess Party Singalong on Saturday 29th June. Theatre lovers will love the open-air theatre matinee Production of ‘Treasure Island’ -a feast for Robert Louis Stevenson buccaneer adventure fans. Meanwhile, the evening performance of Oscar Wilde’s classic ‘An Ideal Husband,’ often considered to be Wilde’s dramatic masterpiece, promises to bring intrigue and satire. Both will be staged on Friday 23rd August and tickets are available to buy from the website.
“We welcome privately booked groups of 10-40 throughout Spring and Summer, which is a perfect opportunity to explore the grounds, enjoy a spot of tea and cake and of course treat yourself to a plant from our famous greenhouse. We greet our guests personally and tickets are priced at £10 per person, including home-made refreshments,” concluded George.
There are glowing five-star Google reviews from visitors praising the beautiful location, value-for-money, variety of stalls, excellent open-air theatre and wonderful hosts.
Well-behaved dogs on leads are always welcome and there is disabled access.
To book a private visit or for forthcoming summer event tickets, see the website below: