Avenues Open Gardens is an urban open gardens event which takes place in the HU5 area of Hull over two Sunday afternoons in late June and July every year.
This year, 2024, Avenues Open Gardens is happening on Sunday 30 June and Sunday 7 July 2024 from 1pm to 5pm each of these days.
The event was first held in 1976 and is the biggest inner city open garden event in the UK. The proceeds from the event are donated to charities, this year supporting Dove House Hospice and Rooted in Hull.
There are 37 private gardens open to the public plus allotments, so there is typically something of interest to every gardener.
There is no vetting process for a garden to open and it’s not a competition. Anyone in the area can open their garden.
The gardens show a diversity of gardening styles complemented by the interesting and unique architecture of the buildings. Many gardens are large, extending to 150ft with original features such as stable blocks and outhouses.
Residents and local organisations provide refreshments and sell plants. Music in gardens and at St Cuthbert’s and St Ninian’s church are also longstanding additions to the event. This year entertainments will include choirs, folk music, ukulele groups, garland dancing and Hull Community Theatre. The workings of the Victoria Avenue fountain will be demonstrated and on Sunday 7 July a plaque will be unveiled at 45 Westbourne Avenue for Richard Hoggart, author of ‘The Uses of Literacy’, who lived at this address.
Programmes for 2024 are priced at £5 per adult and accompanied children are free. Programmes give you access to all gardens for both Sundays. You can buy programmes on the day from any of the open gardens. You can also buy programmes in advance from:
- Cups and Scoops Chanterlands Avenue
- Chants DIY Chanterlands Avenues
- Sewell’s Garage Chanterlands Avenue
- The Avenue pub Chanterlands Avenue
- Avenues Library Chanterlands Avenue
- Planet Coffee Newland Avenue
- Grain Newland Avenue
- Kings Convenience Salisbury Street
- Dove House Shops on Chanterlands Avenue and Newland Avenue