Gardens Illustrated Reader Day
Benton End at iris time
Thursday 5 June 2025
Join our exclusive reader day for a behind-the-scenes preview of the famous home and garden of the late artist-plantsman Cedric Morris, while it is in the process of being revitalised.
This special readers’ event offers a rare opportunity to visit Benton End House & Garden in Suffolk and learn more about the plans for renewing the walled garden, where artist and plantsman Cedric Morris bred his Benton irises, and en plein air painting classes took place. The day will include a presentation about Benton End by garden maker James Horner, who is undertaking the garden’s renewal, and a tour of the garden, where work is already underway.
There will also be a guided tour of the 16th-century manor house and stories from the time of The East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing, which Cedric Morris and his partner, artist Arthur Lett-Haines, ran for more than 40 years. With very limited places available, this event is sure to sell out fast, so book now.
EVENT DETAILS
THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2025
Tickets: £125 per person, including picnic lunch and refreshments
Programme
10am Arrival; coffee and tea
10.30am Welcome and presentation with garden maker James Horner, who is undertaking the garden's renewal
11am Tour of the garden with James
12.30pm Picnic lunch
1.15pm Tour of the house with Matthew Hodges, Benton End house and gardens manager
2.30pm Q&A
3pm Time to explore
3.30pm Depart
Terms and conditions
- Gardens Illustrated reserves the right to change any element of any event due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
- Please note that the garden is a work in progress, in the process of being renewed. It features steps, level changes and uneven ground and is not suitable at present for those with accessibility and mobility needs.
- The event will take place at peak iris flowering time but we cannot guarantee they will be in flower for the visit.
Book your place for our Benton End Reader Day using the form below
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