Some people's gardens are just too beautiful to be
kept to themselves. Fortunately, the National Gardens Scheme allows
us all a peek behind some very special hedges.
All over England and Wales, from stately homes to tiny
terraces, the results of the pruning, hoeing and nurturing of
Britain's most green-fingered are on display as part of the National Gardens Scheme.
For the owners, it can be the culmination of a year's hard work.
For the rest of us, it's a chance to be wowed by their skills,
learn from their experience, and sample some tea and cake.
And it's all in a good cause. Last year alone the NGS raised £2
million for charity from admission fees, refreshments and sales of
the NGS directory, The Yellow Book.
Personal reasons
Chris Morley, from the National Gardens Scheme, says that those
generous souls taking part often have very personal reasons for
doing so.
"Perhaps a garden owner has had a friend or relative who was
cared for by one of our main beneficiaries and wishes to raise
funds in that person's memory.
"Then there are those people who are keen gardeners and just
want to share their garden and their gardening experience with
others."
Over 3,600 gardens
But visitors' motivations tend to be simple. "People like
gardens!" says Chris. "People like to see other people's gardens.
And it's a great value for money afternoon out.
"Two adults - £3 each, under-16s free, tea and cake and you
might have spent £10. And with over 3,600 gardens you won't have to
travel far either to visit one."
The first openings are in January and February when snowdrops
and hellebores are emerging. They reach their peak in June, and
some gardens will open deep into the autumn and early winter.
Four properties on the market with NGS gardens
If you would like to take part, but find the idea of getting
your own garden up to scratch a little daunting, have a look at a
few properties currently for sale with gardens that have already
been open for all.
The House: Fairfield is a fine
wisteria-clad six-bed period house elevated above the Severn
Valley. It was built in about 1830, was once part of a substantial
estate, and is thought to have only changed hands four times.
Guide Price: £1.1 million
The Garden: The 2.4 acre gardens feature vistas
and hidden seating areas, orchards and terraced lawns, a kitchen
garden, and wildlife areas.
For traditional rail enthusiasts, the Severn Valley Steam
Railway line runs below the far boundary, operational during the
summer months.
What the Owner says: Mr Pat Beardsley says: "It
has given me a lot of joy over 26 years.
"I was in the National Gardens Scheme for several years but had
to stop when my wife became ill.
"I still cut the lawn and keep the hedges tidy, and someone
comes in to help me once a week. It's a good home for a keen
gardener."
What the Agent Says: Belinda
Hutchinson-Smith from Savills,
West Midlands, says:
"The gardens are glorious. They've been established upwards of
150 years, and been nurtured over the last 26 years by the
clients.
"It's the variety, the fact that you have the mix of the
wildlife and the formal gardens. They're magical. The sort of
gardens one could imagine children having a ball in with lots of
trees to climb and corners to hide in."
"You can't define an actual value for gardens like these, but
they certainly add to the wow factor."
The House: Stanford House is a
substantial seven-bed Edwardian home with an indoor swimming pool,
boat store, and views over formal gardens to the marshes, river and
sea beyond.
Price: Offers in the region of £2 million.
The Garden: The 1.5 acre gardens feature wide
herbaceous beds and pathways that lead through staged lawns,
interspersed by specimen trees, and various well-stocked flower
beds. At the bottom of the garden is a large pond with a
waterfall.
What The owners says: Lady Gillian Cave says:
"We've been in the house for 30 years, and I've opened the garden
for the Red Cross in the past, but I've been taking
part in the National Gardens Scheme for the last four years.
"It is hard work, but it's very rewarding. It's gratifying for
the people who help me here to have it appreciated by more
people.
"We've been very busy this year. I don't know if it was because
people thought it was their last chance to see the gardens before I
move.
"We've made £720, which we can donate to local charities.
There are so many beautiful gardens and I wish more people would
take part.
"I'm 84 now and I've done my back in doing this garden. I'm
moving to a house with an enchanting garden, but much smaller."
What The Agent Says: Tom Orford from Savills,
Ipswich, says: "The gardens in coastal properties don't
generally match up to their inland rivals but Stanford House breaks
all the rules.
"People do attribute value to the garden, but it's not something
I could quantify as a value, particularly as the position of this
property is also so remarkable.
"But the gardens are lovely. People who see them just stand and
gaze and gaze."
The House: The Parsonage is a charming
Grade II listed period house. It has evolved from its Medieval and
Tudor timber-framed origins and combines Queen Anne, Georgian and
Victorian additions and features.
Guide Price: £1.75 million
The Garden: The 12.2 acre grounds comprise
sweeping lawns, colour-filled borders, a productive kitchen garden,
rare orchards, parklands with arboretum, and stunning topiary.
What the Owner Says: Mrs Rosemary McCollum
says: "I open the garden to groups such as the University of the
Third Age, the WI, Rotary Club, and the RHS.
"The soil is excellent, grade A in Europe. We have a
300-year-old pear orchard and an organic vegetable garden that I'm
told could feed a village.
"And the views are tremendous. We're semi-elevated and we have
views of the Malverns and the Abberley Hills."
What the Agent Says: Belinda Hutchinson-Smith
from Savills,
West Midlands, says: "The combination of its wonderful topiary,
formal and informal gardens, woodland walks and parklands provide
the most perfect setting for such an attractive and impressive
period house.
"The new owner could either enjoy it to its full or minimize it.
Expertly-planted beds are actually less work than they look."
The House: A six-bed traditional
timber-framed Kent farmhouse, dating back to the 16th century, with
Edwardian extensions, set on the outskirts of the village, and with
excellent views across to the Greensand ridge.
Price: Offers in excess of £975,000
Garden: The four-acre grounds comprise lawns,
formal gardens, box hedge bordered beds planted with a variety of
bulbs, shrubs, fruit trees, and vegetables, and, to the north, an
apple orchard.
What the Owner says: Mr Redman says: "I
designed and created the garden myself, and I've been taking part
in the National Gardens Scheme on and off for about five years.
"I do it because I enjoy gardening and I've learnt a lot
from seeing other gardens in the scheme and wanted to share my
knowledge.
"I will be sorry to leave it but there are always new
challenges. We have a house in Spain and I'm in the process of
tackling the garden there."
What the Agent Says: Sarah Simmons at Savills,
Cranbrook, says: "We were all very jealous when we saw this
garden, and it made me want to get out there and start creating my
own garden.
"Gardens like this are unusual and people will buy a property
because of the garden, though at the moment people are looking for
value for money."