Moverons Garden Open Weekend: Who Let the Dogs Out?

Moverons Garden opens for the National Garden Scheme on the weekend of 13–14 June 2026, with a private view on Friday 12 June, 6–8pm. The weekend brings together gardens, sculpture, and printmaking in one extraordinary setting on the East Essex coast.

The Garden — A very special and unique place hidden away, looking out over the River Colne Estuary. Designed by Lesley Gunfield, full of variety and surprises, the differing planting aspects fully exploited: hot sun and drought, dry and damp shade. The planting is always informal, free flowing and generous with a mixture of shrubs and perennials.

‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ by Julie Cuthbert — A circus-themed installation referencing certain current world leaders and a current and popular quote: ‘When the clown enters the palace it doesn’t make him wise — it turns the palace into a circus.’ A caption competition with a prize will run on social media and at the exhibition.

Sculpture in the Garden — Works by Payne Gunfield, Julie Cuthbert and David Trenow.

Artist in the Barn: Victoria Phillips — Vicky Phillips is an artist/printmaker whose work combines a variety of printmaking techniques. She lives on the East Coast of Essex; the coast and all things watery remain an important influence on her work. Her recent work has been predominantly ‘Gyotaku’ — the Japanese art of fish printing, a process in which the printing ‘plate’ is often eaten after the print is taken.

Directions — Moverons, Moverons Lane, Brightlingsea CO7 0SB. As you drive into Brightlingsea turn right at All Saints Church on the bend at the top of the hill, then follow the NGS signs.