A record-breaking £245,000 has been raised for two Wiltshire charities after thousands of visitors flocked to Middlewick House for this year’s Open Garden weekend.
Hosted by Nick and Annette Mason at their Corsham home on 6 and 7 June, the annual event welcomed more than 9,000 people and generated its highest fundraising total since it first opened its gates in 2013.
The proceeds will be shared equally between Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity and The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, comfortably surpassing last year’s impressive total of £200,000.
Visitors travelled from across the UK and overseas to explore the renowned gardens, browse dozens of local stalls and enjoy a variety of attractions, all while supporting two charities that provide vital services across Wiltshire and Bath.
Long-standing ambassadors for both organisations, Nick and Annette Mason once again opened their home to help raise both funds and awareness for the charities’ work.
Organisers also introduced a series of changes following feedback from previous events. Working alongside Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council and local landowners Steve Jones and William Taylor, a new dedicated entrance from the Chippenham direction was created to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
The revised traffic management plan proved a success, with visitors reporting easier access to the site and little disruption on surrounding roads throughout the weekend.
Adding to the attraction was Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity’s Bell 429 helicopter, which remained based at the event while its crew stayed fully operational. During the weekend they were called to emergencies in Bath, Salisbury, Melksham and Pewsey, offering visitors a powerful reminder that the service remains on call around the clock.
Barbara Gray, Chief Executive of Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this year’s Middlewick Open Garden such an outstanding success.
“To raise a record-breaking £245,000 is simply phenomenal and will make a real difference to both charities and the people we support across our communities.
“We listened carefully to feedback following the 2025 event and worked closely with our partners to improve traffic management and the overall visitor experience. We’re delighted these changes were so well received and helped make the day even more enjoyable for everyone.
“We are incredibly grateful to Nick and Annette for their continued support and generosity. Events like Middlewick House Open Garden bring communities together and help ensure we can continue providing vital critical medical care by land and air across Wiltshire and Bath. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this year’s event such a success.”
Jennie Shaw, Director of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, said the event highlighted the strength of community support across the county.
She said: “This event continues to demonstrate what can be achieved when charities, volunteers, businesses and the local community come together. The support shown throughout the weekend has been outstanding.
“We want to thank Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, Steve Jones and William Taylor for helping us introduce improvements this year, which made a real difference to visitors and local residents alike. Every pound raised will help us continue protecting and supporting vulnerable people across Wiltshire and Swindon, helping them live safely and independently in their own homes.”
Organisers have also thanked the hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, local businesses and residents whose efforts helped make the event another outstanding success.
With a record total raised and visitor numbers continuing to grow, the Middlewick House Open Garden has firmly established itself as one of Wiltshire’s biggest and most successful annual charity events.
