National Garden Scheme, UK

Your perfect garden awaits...

The National Garden Scheme opens gardens in England and Wales for charity. It was founded in 1927 in England with the aim of "opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity". The scheme is the most significant charitable funder of nursing charities in the country, donating over £50 million so far.

It encourages garden owners to open their beautiful gardens to the public, sharing their passion and raising impressive amounts of money through entry fees, teas and slices of cake. Over half a million garden visits occur each year.

Apprenticeships

Grants have been specially awarded this year to charities who help young gardeners at the start of their career. The National Garden Scheme provide annual funding specifically to support training in this sector, notably for young gardeners.

Gardens and Health

The amazing, positive effect that gardens can have on health is a point of research and promotion that The National Garden Scheme are passionate about.

During August they launched their first ever week dedicated to promoting the positive impact gardens can have on health and wellbeing.

All of the gardens taking part were free of charge for a small, private group of people who would not usually get the opportunity to enjoy a garden, or for whom garden visiting is not always possible, either because of health or social reasons.

The week demonstrated that access to a garden does indeed help to improve mental and physical wellbeing.

National Garden Scheme have around 3,700 breathtaking private gardens opening for charity – take a look below to find our summary of gardens to plan yourself a fantastic day out.

Bath Priory Hotel

Discover 3 acres of mature walled gardens. Quintessentially English, the garden has billowing borders, croquet lawn, wild flower meadow and ancient specimen trees. Spring is bright with tulips and flowering cherries; autumn alive with colour.

Perennials and tender plants provide summer highlights while the kitchen garden supplies herbs, fruit and vegetables to the restaurant. Why not learn to grow your own herb garden or become self sufficient and grow your own vegetables?

Bath Priory Hotel, Weston Rd, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2XT

The Picton Garden

Set 1½ acres W of Malvern Hills. Bulbs and a multitude of woodland plants in spring. Interesting perennials and shrubs in Aug.

In late Sept and early Oct colourful borders display the National Plant Collection of Michaelmas daisies, backed by autumn colouring trees and shrubs. Many unusual plants to be seen, including bamboos, more than 100 different ferns and acers. Features raised beds and silver garden.

National Plant Collection of autumn-flowering asters and an extensive nursery that has been growing them since 1906.

The Picton Garden, Old Court Nurseries, Walwyn Road, Colwall, Herefordshire, WR13 6QE

Barnards Farm

So much to explore! Climb the Belvedere for the wider view and take the train for a woodland adventure. Spring bulbs and blossom, summer beds and borders, ponds, lakes and streams, walled vegetable plot. 'Japanese garden', sculptures grand and quirky enhance and delight.

Aston Pottery

Five stunning borders flower from June until November, set around Aston Pottery's Gift Shop and Cafe. Featuring a 72 metre hornbeam walk with summerhouse and over 200 perennials, a 60 metre hot bank with kniphofia, alstroemeria, canna lilies, bananas and salvias, a double dahlia border with over 600 dahlias, agapanthus, asters and grasses, and a multi-layered traditional perennial border.

Finally an 80 metre x 7 metre deep border full with over 5000 annuals and more than 180 types.

Aston Pottery, Aston, Bampton, Oxfordshire, OX18 2BT

Beechleigh

Set in 2½ acres, the garden combines bold confident lines of contemporary planting with more traditional herbaceous borders.

The house and outbuildings formed part of the historic Panshanger Estate with the new design incorporating reclaimed stone and red brick from the original buildings. Long beds of perennial grasses surround the 13m reflective pool, forming a focal point to the main house.

Beechleigh, Birch Green, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 2LP

65 Northmead Road

Tucked down a long drive lies this hidden ¼ acre plantsman's haven. Colour-themed spaces are rich in eclectic perennials and foliage. Beautiful potager with greenhouse, hens, fruit and gravel garden. Pleached hornbeam tunnel leads to pond where wild corners peek into open countryside. Lush pots and climbers furnish the raised terrace with plentiful seating. Make sure you also spot the unusual plant selection for sale and make a purchase.

65 Northmead Road, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 2SH

High Garden

Very interesting and wide ranging planting of trees, shrubs, climbers and perennials in relaxed but still controlled 11 yr old garden. 70 metre summer herbaceous border, colour-themed beds, grass walkways with surprises around each corner. Always something to enjoy including winter garden, tropical jungle and seasonal planting.

High Garden, Chiverstone Lane, Kenton, Devon, EX6 8NJ

Holker Hall Gardens

25 acres of romantic gardens, with peaceful arboretum, inspirational formal gardens, flowering meadow and Labyrinth. Summer brings voluptuous mixed borders and bedding. Discover unusually large rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas, and the National Collection of Styracaceae. Discover the latest garden feature - The Pagan Grove, designed by Kim Wilkie.

Holker Hall Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7PL

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