Glorious gardens opening for the day

Beautiful floral displays are expected to attract gardening enthusiasts from around the region to an annual event near Wolverhampton this month.

The grounds of Ludstone Hall, near Claverley, will be opened to the public for the only time this year.

The open day is on July 18. The grounds are home to a kitchen garden, expansive lawns and flower beds, a pool and a moat.

Sideshows and stalls will be set up at the event at Ludstone, which was built more than 400 years ago.

The Coach House museum at the hall, which has artefacts relating to the history of Ludstone Hall, will also be open.

Gardener Graham Barker said: "The event is always very well attended, with all proceeds going to All Saints Church at Claverley."

The grounds will be open between 10am and 5pm for the event, which is run in association with the Claverley Flower Festival.

Flower festival secretary Jacqui Cooper said: "This year there's going to be an antique and craft fair to be held in the garden together with a barbecue and a Pimm's stall.

"It's a fantastic day it's a different format this year with different stalls and we hope it will be a great success.

"It's a lovely Jacobean house in a beautiful setting and we get a lot of people from Wolverhampton and surrounding areas like Dudley."

The house was built in 1607 by John Whitmore and remained in his family for more than 250 years.

Admission is £3 for adults but free for children. Donations will be requested for entry to the museum.

All Saints Church will be open from 10am to 7pm for the flower festival on the Friday before the open day.