A Chelsea Flower Show gold medal-winning nursery in Ashton under Hill will open its doors to the public this weekend.

Thorncroft Clematis nursery recently moved to the Back Lane location from Norfolk and will host its first open day on Saturday September 11.

The nursery has won 12 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show and Saturday’s event offers a rare opportunity to see inside the business, which six years ago moved to mail-order only.

Owner Peter Skeggs-Gooch took over from his mother, who opened the business in 1989, and cannot wait to get started at the new location.

He said: “We are excited to be meeting lots of our new local customers, friends, and neighbours.

“I have been doing this since I was about five years old. I grew up on the nursery.

“We miss having an open nursery. It gives customers a chance to visit us and for us to give them advice and support.”

The nursery was temporarily based at New Leaf Plants as Peter and the team searched for a new permanent home.

The specialists in Clematis’ won their first gold at Chelsea in 2007 and claimed their most recent in 2019.

For Peter, the feeling of winning is almost incomparable.

He said: “I think I can liken it to one of the most joyful moments in life. Getting married and having children, moments you will never forget.

“For us nursery life is so important. To us it is an extension of our family and to be awarded a Chelsea gold medal even once is a huge achievement.

“I am incredibly proud to have taken over the family business and continue excelling.”

Due to the pandemic this year’s Chelsea show has been moved from its usual May date, to the end of September.

This, alongside the recent move, has meant Thorncroft will not be attending.

Peter added: “Chelsea being Chelsea, you can’t do it half-heartedly.

“I wouldn’t want to let ourselves or the RHS down so we have decided, on this occasion, not to attend but we look forward to returning next year.”