The National Garden Scheme or NGS provides a wonderful three-way opportunity: keen gardeners get to share their achievements and knowledge, the public have the chance to see some amazing gardens, and it raises large sums for charity. There are some marvellous gardens opening in the area for the NGS in the coming months.
Hangeridge Farmhouse, Wrangway, Wellington, TA21 9QG
Informal, relaxing, mature family garden set under Blackdown Hills. Seats to enjoy views across Somerset landscape. Atmospheric mix of herbaceous borders and this lovely and still-evolving garden contains wonderful flowering shrubs, heathers, mature trees, rambling climbers and seasonal bulbs. Content and design belie its 1-acre size. Garden not to be missed
Open: Sun 27 May; 15 July; 5 Aug (11-5). Groups welcome by appt
Contact:Mrs J M Chave Telephone: 01823 662339
Email: hangeridge@hotmail.co.uk
Regency House, Hemyock, Devon, EX15 3RQ
5-acre plantsman’s garden approached across private ford. Many interesting and unusual trees and shrubs. Visitors can try their hand at identifying plants with the plant list. Plenty of space to eat your own picnic. Walled vegetable and fruit garden, lake, ponds, bog plantings and sweeping lawns. Horses, Dexter cattle and Jacob sheep
Open Sat 16 June (11-6), Mon 18, Tue 19, Wed 20 June; Sun 7 Oct (2-6)
Contact:Mrs Jenny Parsons
Email: jenny.parsons@btinternet.com
Lower Chelmsine West Buckland, Wellington, TA21 9LW
All created from scratch 7 yrs ago, we invite you to enjoy a mix of cottage, informal and woodland styles. A wild area, orchard, vegetable plot and herb garden are easily accessed. For the more energetic, stroll round our 5-acre hazel coppice or 10-acre broadleaf woodland
Open Sun 17 June (2-5) £3.50
Contact:Dr & Mrs David Edmondson
Gardd Owen, 16 Owen Street, Wellington, TA21 8JY
Inspirational small garden comprising formal, rose and wild gardens, potager garden and pergola with a profusion of roses. It is full of ideas that can be used to transform an ordinary back garden into one that is really special. Managed organically for the benefit of wildlife
Open Sat 23, Sun 24 June (2-5) £3.00
Contact:Carole & Tim Lomas
Fernhill ,nr Wellington, TA21 0LU
In approx 2 acres, a delightful garden to stir your senses, with a myriad of unusual plants and features. Intriguing almost hidden paths, leading through English roses, and banks of hydrangeas. Scenic views stretching up to the Blackdowns and its famous monument. Truly a Hide and Seek garden….for all ages
The garden was started in 1957, extends to approximately 2 acres, and includes a small wooded area with some fine native trees that predate the garden, and a 55′ Dawn Redwood planted in 1960; secure parking for at least 35 cars is provided here. The grounds are laid out on a gently sloping site, the main structural feature, (a shady haven in which to pause for breath), being the octagonal pergola, which provides an effective “gateway” from the woodland to the slightly more formal atmosphere of the herbaceous borders and water garden. Over the years we have collected a wide variety of plants, climbing and shrub roses, herbaceous perennials, water, bog and alpine plants, whilst Hydrangeas thrive in the acidic sandy soil, their large range of colours in July and August being one of the high points of our gardening year. The borders are not “themed” but a search one is unique in colour and content, interest is maintained when exploring the garden, we do try to avoid duplication wherever possible, and we propagate some of the better plants for sale to our visitors. Besides the main pond, which is well stocked with fish and plants there are waterfalls, small pools and a good boggy area, all designed to attract wildlife. The terrace and steps look out over the ha-ha to truly splendid views, Fuchsia baskets and colourful annuals make this a very pleasant place indeed to relax and enjoy a good cup of tea and home-made cakes!
Open: Suns 24 June; 5, 19 Aug (2-5) £3
Contact:Peter & Audrey Bowler Telephone: 01823 672423
Email: muldoni@hotmail.co.uk
Nynehead Court, Nynehead, Wellington, TA21 0BN
Nynehead Court Gardens are on English Heritage’s list of gardens of historic interest. Once the ancestral home of the Sandford family. Gardens laid out during the Victorian period, points of interest – pinetum, ice house, parterre, within parkland and extended walks of old estate
Tours of Nynehead Parish Church at intervals all afternoon with church warden. Garden tours by head gardener – start 2pm prompt (tour lasts 1 hr approx)
Open: Sun 24 June (2-6) £2.50
Contact:Nynehead Care Ltd
Holcombe Court, Holcombe Rogus, Devon, TA21 0PA
7 acres of very varied gardens around Grade I Tudor manor house (not open). Herbaceous borders, trout ponds and Victorian rockery. Recently-restored and recreated woodland garden and newly-created vegetable parterre within C18 walled garden. Espaliers and apple orchard.
Open: Sat 30 June; Sun 1 July (10-4) £5
Contact:Mr Nigel Wiggins
Fossleigh, Burlescombe, Devon, EX16 7JH
The garden borders the Grand Western Canal. Imaginative use of space, many surprises: Water garden, bog garden, herbaceous borders, Japanese garden, miniature bowling green, sundial vegetable plot, fruit cage, sunken walkways surrounded by flowers and foliage. Fernery. Much new planting this year. The garden borders the Grand Western Canal. The main work began in 2000 and it has been gradually developed each year. Imaginative use of space, many surprises: water garden, bog garden, herbaceous borders, Japanese garden, miniature bowling green, sundial vegetable plot, fruit cage, sunken walkways surrounded by flowers and foliage. New this year: fernery and viewing deck. Enjoy a stroll on canal tow-path after your visit
Open: Sats, Suns 21, 22 July; 18, 19 Aug (2-5) £2.50
Contact:David & Glenis Beard Telephone: 01823 672907
Email: d.beard@virgin.net
Cothay Manor, Greenham, nr Wellington, TA21 0JR
Few gardens are as evocatively romantic as Cothay. Laid out in 1920s and replanted in 1990s within the original framework, Cothay encompasses a rare blend of old and new. Plantsman’s paradise set in 12 acres of magical gardens. Antiques; garden shop; tea room; events
Sunday house tours 11:45 and 2:15. £6.50. Advance booking required
Open [NGS] Sun 29 July (2-6) £7.00
Contact:Mr & Mrs Alastair Robb Telephone: 01823 672283