Art, tea, cake and events in gardens!

The Little Picture Palace garden (see end of post)

Hinterland, at Ovoid on the Coastal trail, is a show curated by ceramic sculptor Simon Fell in a shed at the end of his beautiful garden in the lee of the South Downs at Ovingdean on the eastern edge of Brighton. He explains his intent by saying “Hinterland is a show by a group of artists who use their work to explore the hidden and unexpected aspects of their minds that you can only discover by making work, by starting and seeing where the process takes you.


Ovoid garden

The word Hinterland itself has several layers of meaning such as – That which is unknown or unexplored about someone as well as – a remote or undeveloped area, a backwater – which is an interesting idea in this context as this village is both part of the city and seemingly in another more rural world entirely.”


Ovoid garden

Make your way to my garden studio, at Helen Twigge-Molecey, on the Hurstpierpoint trail, nestling in a hidden orchard between the South Downs and the village High Street and you’ll be rewarded with al fresco bubbly or home-made vegan cakes and tea.


Helen Twigge-Molecey garden

Hygge, on the Fiveways trail, is nestled away at the end of Withdean Court Avenue – number 23 on the Fiveways Trail but set apart from the main hub. Our venue is certainly a hidden gem and worth that extra effort to reach. With a pottery studio set in a wrap around garden and surrounded by trees and lush planting, Hygge is a little haven. We serve homemade cakes and cream teas in the garden and are a venue to easily spend a few hours enjoying. Our open planned house, with bifold doors to the garden, makes it a wonderful and open environment to enjoy the work from our nine artists, makers and designers.


Hygge garden

Cherry Tree Bungalow in Ovingdean on the Coastal trail,  is serving  drinks and  cake in the garden, if it’s not raining. It’s a lovely spot!

Cherry Tree Bungalow garden
Or visit Emily Boo‘s Open House for tea and cake in the garden, on the Fiveways trail
Emily Boo’s garden
Finally… take a garden visit to the Little Picture Palace, on the Seven Dials trail! Everyone is welcome to come back each weekend to see the progress of Sarah Arnett’s wall and floor mural (sponsored by Brewers paints). Inspired by bringing the inside to outside, Sarah is painting and outdoor rug and wallpaper….although the weather wasn’t very kind in April, she is hoping to complete this over the festival weekends.


Little Picture Palace garden

Event’s in Sarah Arnett (AOH brochure cover artist)’s Little Picture Palace garden this weekend include:

Friday 17th _ Turkish Marbling
Come and join me learning about Turkish marbling, with the amazing Ginger Marbler! I attended one of her workshops and I’m totally hooked. I’m still in the learning stage so we can learn together in my garden! Marbling is a centuries-old technique that involves floating paints on the water and transferring the design onto paper or fabric. During the two-hour workshop, you will be introduced to the captivating art of paper marbling. Please come dressed comfortably and be prepared to let your creativity flow. £45.00 for 1.5 hours, all materials included, plus tea and cake

Special Open House discount code ‘openhouse24’ Read more and book tickets 


Little Picture Palace garden

Sunday 19th – Exploding Typewriter
Expect something incredible with this performance. Niall Hollaert and Andrew Stuart Buttle working together to give a stunning blend of Niall’s beautiful and profound poetry with the sublime violin work that marks Andrew out as one of the most exciting musicians working in Brighton today. Tickets are limited, so secure yours early to avoid disappointment. Read more and book tickets


Little Picture Palace garden

Also, don’t miss Sarah’s own workshop:
Saturday 18th May – Fantastical Collage Workshop

A two hour workshop, 10am-12 noon, with Sarah Arnett at her home during the May Open House, includes tea and cake! Read more and book tickets

To find out more about all events in Open Houses see AOH Events