Gardening lovers will welcome fellow enthusiasts and visitors to their glorious green spaces as Thetford Open Gardens takes place this weekend.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Thetford Train Station will be taking part in Thetford Open Gardens. Picture: Thetford Open GardensThetford Train Station will be taking part in Thetford Open Gardens. Picture: Thetford Open Gardens (Image: Archant)

The popular fundraising event will see 34 gardens, spread across the town and surrounding parishes, opening to the public.

This year’s theme is Golden and has been chosen to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doreen and Terry Taylor.

The couple’s own garden - number 27 in the programme - will be ‘dripping with gold’.

Thetford Garden Centre has also donated a golden plant for each of the gardens open on Sunday.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Thetford Open Gardens volunteers and helpers. The event raises money for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Picture: Thetford Open GardensThetford Open Gardens volunteers and helpers. The event raises money for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Picture: Thetford Open Gardens (Image: Archant)

As always, there will be a range of hidden gems and gardens with a difference. For the first time, the Grade-II listed Kilverstone Hall is joining the event and will welcome visitors.

If reds and purples interest you, a visit to garden 28 to see salvias on display is recommended. Potted plants will also be available to buy.

At garden 18 people will be able to try their hand at archery and garden seven will have a dancing dog show. There will also be numerous gardens serving homemade cakes, goodies and refreshments.

Organiser Rachel Woods said people will be coming from Cambridgeshire and Essex for the event.

Thetford & Brandon Times: One of the gardens which will be taking part in the Thetford Open Gardens. Picture: Thetford Open GardensOne of the gardens which will be taking part in the Thetford Open Gardens. Picture: Thetford Open Gardens (Image: Archant)

She said: “I worried after our 10th year if we would be sustainable but we have got new gardens opening up. I think we are now definitely a sustainable calendar event.”

Since it begun, the open gardens event has raised more than £60,000 for charity. St Nicholas Hospice Care will once again be the recipient of funds raised.

To kick-off the day, the Mayor of Thetford Roy Brame will conduct a giant game of heads and tails at King’s House Gardens from 10.30am.

People can play for £1, with all money raised going towards the hospice.

The winner will receive £350 worth of goods courtesy of Cobra Domestic Appliances.

Visitors will be able to make their way round the gardens between 11am and 5pm

Programmes for the day are available from Thetford Garden Centre and the Leaping Hare tourist information for £5.

For more information visit Thetford Open Gardens on Facebook or visit the website.