Designed by the National Garden Scheme (NGS), the Great British Garden Party is a special fundraising event aimed to share the Nation’s love of gardens and get-togethers to help raise funds for NGS beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of the NGS include, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK.
In its sixth year, the 2025 Great British Garden Party campaign week takes place on Monday, the 14th – Sunday, the 20th of July, for which keen participants can sign up on the NGS website.
Dame Mary Berry said: “I am delighted to invite you to gather friends, family and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party this year. We’re inviting everyone to get together in their garden, green space or office and to join in the fundraising for the vital nursing and health charities supported by the National Garden Scheme; charities that so many of us, our family and friends often rely on in times of need.
“We’ve been so inspired by previous get-togethers and the ingenious variations on the garden party theme, tailoring events to suit the outside space available and to families and friends and all sharing the real joy of getting together. Some party hosts simply threw open their garden gates and invited their neighbours for afternoon tea or morning coffee, making new friends. Others chose to celebrate a special anniversary, gathering friends and family as part of the Great British Garden Party and suggesting a donation in lieu of presents. But your garden get-together could be anything from a barbecue or family bake-off, a picnic in the park or book swap in the office or even a plant and produce sale by the front gate. It doesn’t even have to be in a garden – the choice is yours and everyone can get involved.”
The event is open to all – not just people who open their gardens for the scheme. It’s free to take part and all the funds raised will go the NGS beneficiaries. Participants are supported by the scheme by means of digital and printed fundraising packs, which include invitations, posters and social media assets, plus menu and party inspiration and fundraising tips. The NGS adds that participants can also host their Great British Garden Party outside the core campaign period, on a day to suit them
George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme added: “Gardens and outdoor spaces have never been more important. They provide us all with the perfect place to meet friends and family, to socialise and relax, so using them to support such important health-related causes by holding a Great British Garden Party seems like the perfect opportunity to plan something wonderful. It doesn’t need to be complicated or grand, just invite some friends over, ask them to make a donation, and help make a difference.”
