Book your slot
Next open day: Friday 18th - Saturday 19th December
Tickets are booked in hourly slots - you just pick a start time. Once you're in, stay as long as you like; most people spend around an hour walking the line under the magic of the Christmas lights, from the sidings round to the koi pond. Numbers per slot are capped so the garden never gets crowded. Join the 400+ visitors who come along on a typical open day.
What's on - Friday 18 - Saturday 19 December
Around the lineLittle scenes and hidden details are tucked all over the railway - a fun challenge for adults and kids alike, with a small prize at the cafe for those who spot them all.
A smaller layout by the gate where children can run the trains themselves.
Hot chocolate and mince pies for a warm break while the family enjoys the garden.
Keep an eye out for children's favourites like Thomas & Friends making a guest appearance on the line.
This open day - Friday 18 - Saturday 19 December
Charity & sponsor
Every ticket sold on the day goes straight to Healing Waves. A surf therapy charity giving islanders with physical, neurological or mental health needs a way into the water - surfing, paddleboarding, and the wellbeing that comes with both.
How we choose a charity each event →
Every ticket sold on the day goes straight to Finni's Ark Sanctuary. A lifelong sanctuary for animals who've run out of options - and, through therapy and educational visits, a regular guest at local care homes and schools too.
How we choose a charity each event →Sponsoring a wagon puts your business in front of everyone at the open day, with the sponsorship going straight to that day's charity.
Sponsor a wagon → Know a business you'd like to see here? →Tickets aren't on sale yet
Early accessTickets go on sale 17 November - sign up below and I'll email you the moment they're live, before anyone else.
Finding us
St. MaryWe're listed on Google Maps up to the end of the estate - get directions here. The specific address is included in your booking confirmation.
Park at St. Mary's Church & Parish Hall Car Park, then follow the signposted five-minute walk to the garden. Parking directly on our street is extremely limited, so please leave that space free for visitors with accessibility needs.
The number 7 runs between Town and St. Mary, and the number 10 runs between the airport and Durrell - alight at St. Mary's Church, a two-minute walk from the gate. Full timetables from Liberty Bus.
Questions
FAQCome straight to the gate and we'll fit you in where we can - just bear in mind arriving late leaves less time before the next slot's visitors arrive.
Yes, if there's space - just reply to your booking confirmation and we'll move you.
The garden is a private garden first and foremost, and isn't fully accessible - the first section is level, but there's a step up followed by two steps down further in. We do our best to accommodate visitors with accessibility needs, so please get in touch before you visit and we'll see what we can arrange.
The trains are perfectly happy in the rain - it's us humans who feel it more. Light drizzle won't stop the day going ahead, but if the forecast looks properly poor, we'll make the call in advance and reschedule if needed.
Card only - we're not able to take cash.
Visiting a private garden
This is our home and our hobby first, and we're glad to share it with you a few times a year. A handful of things help keep it enjoyable and safe for everyone - visitors, volunteers, and the fish included.
It's a private garden - please treat it as you would your own.
Deep water - the pond is close to 6ft (1.8m) deep. Please keep a close eye on children near the water.
Please don't feed the fish - they're well looked after, we promise.
Hands off the trains - the models are built for the outdoors, but they're delicate. Please don't touch locomotives, wagons, track, signals or buildings - if something looks amiss, let one of the volunteers know. For those wanting a hands-on go, the display layout at the front is exactly for that.
Mind the level crossing - if you need to cross the track, do it briskly and watch for trains.
Dogs - as much as we love them, only service dogs are welcome on open days.
Children supervised at all times - between the water, the steps and the moving trains, please keep little ones close.
Know the moment tickets go on sale
Tickets go on sale 31 days before each open day, usually. Leave your email and we'll let you know.