Distinguished OF’s former garden open to the public

Bernard Tickner MBE (1937-40) was Chief Brewer at Greene King and introduced Abbot Ale but his other great passion was horticulture. He moved to Fullers Mill in 1958 and spent decades shaping the garden, creating a landscape of dappled woodland, colourful borders and a rich collection of shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants.  He also donated Lackford Lake to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. He also bred a unique species of Euphorbia called ‘Red Wing’ and in June 2017 he was awarded the MBE for services to Horticulture and to Wildlife Conservation in Suffolk.  He died in November 2017.

In 2013, Bernard gifted Fullers Mill to Perennial to help secure its long-term future. The charity provides free advice, support, services and a helpline to people working in horticulture and their families.

Created over more than 50 years Fullers Mill Garden will be open to the public for a rare glimpse inside one of Suffolk’s hidden horticultural gems.  The seven-acre garden will welcome visitors on Sunday 4 October 2026, as part of the National Garden Scheme, with proceeds from refreshments helping to raise funds for Perennial.

The garden has also featured on BBC Gardeners’ World.

Visitors can explore Fullers Mill Garden from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 4 October and admission costs £10 for adults and £4 for children.

Click here to see his full entry in Distinguished OFs