The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) has been opening fine, many normally private, gardens to the public to raise money for charity for over 75 years. So, lets take a look back at how the Scheme began and how it has grown from the creative entwining of two strands of our heritage - the national passion for gardening, and the deeply embedded desire to help those in need. The Scheme's continuing success in raising funds for its beneficiaries indicates how relevant those enthusiasms remain today.
In 1859, a philanthropic Liverpool merchant, William Rathbone, gained much comfort from employing a nurse to care for his dying wife in her own home. Aware of the plight of the poor, for whom there was no such provision, he asked her to finish her contract by tending to them. Convinced by this experiment, he raised funds for the recruitment, training and employment of nurses to go into the deprived areas of the city, which he divided into 'districts', each with an honorary 'Lady Superintendent'. This initiative was to be the beginning of 'District' Nursing. By the end of the 19th century, this regional scheme had been widely copied, and, with the help of Florence Nightingale and the warm approval of Her Majesty the Queen, became 'Queen Victoria's Institute': a national voluntary organisation responsible for setting standards and training nurses for duty in the new countrywide District Nursing Service.
In 1980 the Queen's Nursing Insitiute decided to give the Garden Scheme an existence in its own right, and, on 1 January, The National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust was born as an independent charity, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother as Patron and Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester as President. From that year too, Garden Owners have been able to help additional charities of their own individual choice by offering them a share of the money raised through their garden openings, a procedure which often benefits many smaller, local charities. In 1984 Macmillan Cancer Relief joined the list of nursing charities to benefit from the monies raised by the NGS. A similar garden opening organisation, 'Gardeners Sunday' merged with the National Gardens Scheme in 1986 and as a result the NGS now supports the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Society and the Royal Gardeners' Orphans Fund.
The growth of the Scheme during the 1990s enabled the NGS to add, in 1996, three further charities to its list of beneficiaries: Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads Caring for Carers. Over the years the gardens which open for the Scheme have changed in size and style. In place of the hundreds that opened in 1927 we now have thousands of medium-sized and small gardens, the majority belonging to practical gardeners. However, it is a tribute to the Scheme that in 2002 almost 100 of the 'Pioneer' gardens were open for us.
Gardens in the English County of Gloucestershire
Many visitors have been privileged to enjoy some of England’s finest gardens in Gloucestershire. In order to stimulate further interest a county garden website has been developed. Now garden enthusiasts can visit www.gloucestershiregardens.org to find details of the National Gardens Scheme Gardens “Open for Charity” in Gloucestershire. It has ninety garden owners who generously open their gardens, helping raise over £100,000 last year for the worthwhile charities of the NGS.
Visiting an NGS garden not only provides great pleasure, whether by simply enjoying the visual delights or gaining ideas for your own garden. You will also receive a warm welcome and in most cases the famous NGS homemade teas, in doing so you know that you are making an important contribution to some wonderful causes.
Cotswolds Gardens open under the Scheme
Abbotswood, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1EN
(Mr R Scully)
1m W of Stow-on-the-Wold. On B4068 nr Lower Swell or B4077
nr Upper Swell
Massed plantings of spring bulbs, heathers, flowering shrubs
and rhododendrons in dramatic, landscaped hillside stream
gardens; fine herbaceous planting in elegant formal gardens
with lily pond, terraced lawn and fountain created by Sir
Edwin Lutyens
Adm £3, chd free. For
Opening Times of Abbotswood Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
8m E of Chipping Norton. On B4030, ½m from junction
of A4260 & B4030
15-acre garden with views from house (not open) across
sweeping lawns and picturesque lake. Walled garden with colourful
herbaceous borders, separated by established yew hedges and
espalier fruit, contrasts with more informal woodland garden
paths with vistas of specimen trees and meadows. Working
glasshouses and fine display of fruit and vegetables.
Adm £3, chd free Home-made teas. For
Opening Times of Barton Abbey Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Boddington Manor, Boddington
3m W of Cheltenham. Off A4019 Cheltenham to Tewkesbury road. After crossing M5, take first turning L, signed to Boddington
Old garden sympathetically restored since 1985 incl wild flower woodland walk, mature
specimen trees, extensive lawns and lakes; established pinetum and bog garden. New
planting of acers, birches, liquidambars in meadow setting. Neo-gothic manor house
(not open). Country Garden Market - www.ngs.org.uk/
Bourton House Garden, Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire, GL56 9AE (Mr & Mrs R Paice)
Surrounding a delightful C18 Cotswold manor house (not
open) and C16 tithe barn, this exciting 3-acre garden positively
fizzes with ideas. Featuring flamboyant borders, imaginative
topiary, profusions of herbaceous borders and exotic plants
and, not least, a myriad of magically planted pots; a plantsman's
paradise.
Bourton House Garden will be open in aid of NGS on Sunday 15th August 2010 from 10am to 5pm.
Adm £5, chd free, concessions £4.50 . Tel
- 01386
700754.
For Opening Times of Bourton House Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Eastcombe, Bussage and Brownshill Gardens, near Stroud
Gardens in this group:
1 The Laurels
Beechcroft, Beech Lane
Brewers Cottage
Hampton View, The Ridge
Holt End, The Ridge
Little Dormers, 64 Lypiatt View
Mount Pleasant Cottage
Normandie Cottage, Fidges Lane
Oakgates
Redwood
Rose Cottage, The Street
Vatch Rise
3m E of Stroud. 2m N of A419 Stroud to Cirencester road on turning
signed to Bisley & Eastcombe
A group of gardens, large and small, set in a picturesque
hilltop location. Some approachable only by foot. Exhibition
of botanical art by Sally Birch. Jewellery and hand-painted
silk scarves by Jean French
Combined adm £4, chd free (share to Cotswold Care,
Cheltenham Cobalt Unit & Victim Support Glos) Teas
at Eastcombe Village Hall. For
Opening Times of these Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Ewen Manor, Ewen, nr Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BX
(Lady Gibbs)
4m SW of Cirencester. Via A429 3m from Cirencester turn at
signpost Ewen 1m. Turn L before entering village. Gate on R
50yds
Profusely planted series of gardens with architectural
features, yew hedges, pattern-mown lawn, terrace and containers,
lily pool, cedar trees over 200yrs old; woodland area all
around. Spring bulbs and blossom. Georgian Cotswold manor,
not open.
Adm £2.50, chd free. For
Opening Times of Ewen Manor Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
France Lynch,
nr Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 8LP
Gardens in this group:
Dundry Lodge, Lynch Road
Lilac
Cottage, Sturmyes Road
Little
Oaks
Orchard
Cottage
The
Anchorage
The
Tyning, Highfield Way
5m E of Stroud. Turn off A419 at Chalford signed Chalford
Hill. Follow signs to France Lynch. Parking in village limited.
Car park at Highfield Sports Club
Hillside village of old cottages and pretty lanes, with
views across valley
Combined adm £4, chd free Home-made teas at Orchard
Cottage
For Opening Times of Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Friars Court, Clanfield, Oxfordshire, OX18 2SU
(Mr J H Willmer)
5m N of Faringdon. On A4095 Faringdon to Witney. ½m
S of Clanfield.
C16 part-moated farmhouse (not open) with approx 4 acres
of informal gardens, grounds and moat ponds with living willow
tunnel and bower; woodland walk and 1m nature trail to lake
area. Solar photovoltaic array and alternative energy exhibition
area, museum, display rooms and shop.
Adm £3, chd free . Tel - 01367
810206. For
Opening Times of Friars Court Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Hodges Barn, Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire, GL8 8PR
(Mrs C N Hornby)
Very unusual C15 dovecote converted into family home (not
open). Cotswold stone walls act as host to climbing and rambling
roses, clematis, vines, hydrangeas, and together with yew,
rose and tapestry hedges create formality around house. Mixed
shrub and herbaceous borders, shrub roses; water garden;
woodland garden planted with cherries, magnolias and spring
bulbs. Also open for NGS, adjoining garden of Hodges Farmhouse
by kind permission of Mrs Clive Lamb. Featured in 'English
Garden' 2005.
Adm £5, chd free . Private visits welcome
by appt.01666
880202
For
Opening Times of Hodges Barn Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Home Farm, Huntley, nr Newent,
Gloucestershire, GL19 3HQ
4m S of Newent. On B4216 ½m off A40 in Huntley travelling
towards Newent
Set in elevated position with exceptional views. 1m walk
through woods and fields to show carpets of spring flowers.
Enclosed garden with fern border, sundial and heather bed.
White and mixed shrub borders. Stout footwear advisable in
winter. Teas available nearby.
Adm £2.50, chd free, 01452 830209. For
Opening Times of Home Farm Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
3m South of Fairford. Take A419 from Cirencester or Swindon. Kempsford
is signed 10m (approx) from each. The Manor is in the centre
of village
Early spring garden with snowdrops, winter aconites, followed
by crocuses, anemones, daffodils and narcissi. Snowdrop walk
along canal to orchard and vegetable garden. Summer garden
of herbaceous borders and roses; adjacent to village cricket
field. Outdoor games for children. Peaceful, expansive garden
for relaxation. Tea is served by log fire in early spring.
Adm £3, chd free, tel - 01285
810131. For
Opening Times of Kempsford Manor Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Luggers Hall, Springfield Lane, Broadway WR12 7BT
(Kay & Red Haslam)
5m South of Evesham. Turn off Broadway High Street by Swan Hotel,
bear Left into Springfield Lane. Luggers Hall is on the L approx
300yds along. Some parking but limited - if possible use car
parks which are close by
2½-acre formal garden originally designed by the
famous Victorian garden artist Alfred Parsons. Features incl
rose garden; parterre; walled garden; potager; white garden;
koi pool and herbaceous borders, all connected by gravel
paths with seating areas. An abundance of clipped box and
yew hedging; plus Victorian hazel walk. Children with caution
due to deep water feature. GGG 2005
Adm £3, chd free Cream teas. For Opening Times
of Luggers Hall Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
March House, Evesham Road, Broadway, Worcestershire
(Jim & June Cowan)
2m NW of Broadway. On A44, 1st house on R after roundabout going towards Evesham turn into unmarked lane. From Evesham approx. 3m, pass Murcot junction turn into unmarked lane 10yds past house sign 'The Slinget'
½ acre of herbaceous borders; extended water feature;
young specimen trees; roses; small orchard; soft fruit; vegetable
plots and heather garden. The garden was started from scratch
in 1993. Featured in 'Worcestershire Life', 'Gloucester Echo'
2004; Natureza San Paulo, Brazil 2005.
Adm £2, chd free . Private visits welcome by appt.01386
852993
For
Opening Times of March House Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Mill Dene Garden, School Lane, Blockley, Gloucestershire, GL56 9HU
(Mr & Mrs B S Dare)
3m NW of Moreton-in-Marsh. From A44, follow brown signs from
Bourton-on-the-Hill, to Blockley. 11/3m down hill turn L behind
village gates. Parking for 8 cars
This garden surrounds a Cotswold stone water-mill, set
in a tiny steep sided valley. It seems to have evolved naturally
in English 'country garden' style. A millpond, stream, grotto,
potager and trompe l'oeil all contribute to the owner's design
for surprise, concealment, scent, colour and, above all,
fun. New - little cricket pavilion. Featured in '25 Beautiful
Gardens' 2005.
Adm £4.50, chd £1, concessions £4 .01386 700457
For Opening Times of Mill Dene Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Pear Tree Cottage, 58 Malleson Road, Gotherington, Gloucestershire,GL52 9EX (Mr & Mrs E Manders-Trett)
4m N of Cheltenham. From A435 turn R into Gotherington 1m
after end of Bishop's Cleeve bypass. Garden is on L approx
100yds past Shutter Inn
Mainly informal country garden approx ½-acre with
pond and gravel garden, grasses and herbaceous borders, trees
and shrubs surrounding lawns. Wild garden and orchard lead
to greenhouses, herb and vegetable gardens. Spring bulbs
and early summer perennials and shrubs particularly colourful
Adm £2.50, chd free . Private visits welcome
by appt.01242 674592
For
Opening Times of Pear Tree Cottage Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
3½m SW of Wotton-under-Edge. Off B4058 from Wotton-under
Edge through Charfield Village. At top of Charfield Hill, turn
L. 2m from M5 J14, at Xrds on B4509 go straight across into
Churchend Lane
Small private garden designed and planted in 2002 by Lesley
Rosser. Densely planted for all-yr-round interest, maturing
well. Incorporates trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, water,
gravel and hard landscaping to give an informal peaceful
feel. Nearby Urn Cottage may also be open.
Adm £3, chd free. For
Opening Times of Pemberley Lodge Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Stanway Fountain & Water Garden, near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5PQ (Lord Neidpath)
20 acres of planted landscape in early C18 formal setting. Recent restoration of canal, upper pond and 165ft high fountain have re-created one of the most interesting baroque water gardens in Britain. Striking C16 manor with gatehouse, tithe barn and church. Britain's highest fountain, the world's highest gravity fountain.
House and garden adm £6 , garden only adm £4, children £1, concessions £3 .01386 584528
For Opening Times of House and Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
The Matara Garden, Kingscote, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YA
(Herons Mead Ltd)
½m NW of Tetbury. On A4135 towards Dursley. At the
Hunters Hall Inn turn R into Kingscote village. Enter Park
at 1st gate on R
A unique meditative garden alive with inspiration from
around the world. Labyrinths, medicine wheel, ponds, sculptures
and walled ornamental vegetable garden. We are developing
an Eastern woodland walk and wild flower meadow. Matara is
a spiritual garden dedicated to the full expression of the
human spirit. All set within a 28-acre parkland. Plants on
sale NGS days only.
Adm £3, chd free Teas NGS days only.01453
861050
For
Opening Times of Matara Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
The Old Rectory, Coleshill, Oxfordshire (Sir George & Lady Martin)
3m SW of Faringdon. Coleshill (NT village) is on B4019
Medium-sized garden; lawns and informal shrub beds; wide
variety shrubs, incl old-fashioned roses, 50yr-old standard
wisteria. Distant views of Berkshire and Wiltshire Downs.
House (not open) dates from late C14
Adm £2, chd free Home-made teas
For
Opening Times of The Old Rectory - www.ngs.org.uk/
The Pound House, Little Somerford, Wiltshire, SN15 5JW
(Mr & Mrs Michael Baines)
2m E of Malmesbury on B4042. In village turn S, leave church on R. Car park on R before railway bridge
Medium-sized garden surrounding former rectory. Mature
trees, hedges and spacious lawns. Well-stocked herbaceous
borders, shrubs, pergola, parterre, swimming pool garden,
water, ducks and chickens
Adm £2.50, chd free Home-made teas Private visits welcome by appt May to
Sept, for any number.01666 823212
For
Opening Times of the Pound House Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
The Red House, Pillows Green, Staunton, nr Gloucester
(Mr & Mrs W K Turner)
8m NW of Gloucester. On A417 from Staunton Xrds, ½m off B4208
Split-level 2-acre organic and wildlife garden with herbaceous
borders, containing many native wild plants, ponds; gravel
garden and terrace with containers; parterre; also flower
meadow. C17 house open by appt. Garden designed and maintained
by owners.
Adm £2.50, chd free. Combined admission £4
For
Opening Times of The Red House Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Upton Wold, nr Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9TR
(Mr & Mrs I R S Bond)
3½m W of Moreton-in-Marsh. On A44 1m past A424 junction at Troopers Lodge Garage
Ever-developing and changing garden, architecturally and
imaginatively laid out around C17 house (not open) with commanding
views. Yew hedges; old shrub roses; herbaceous walk; some
unusual plants and trees; vegetables; pond and woodland gardens.
National Collection of Juglans. Featured in 'English Garden'
2005.
Adm £5, chd free .Private visits welcome
by appt May to July. tel - 01386 700667
For
Opening Times of Upton Wold Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Westonbirt School Gardens, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire
(Westonbirt School)
22 acres. Former private garden of Robert Holford, founder
of Westonbirt Arboretum. Formal Victorian gardens incl walled
Italian garden, terraced pleasure garden, rustic walks, lake,
statuary and grotto. Rare, exotic trees and shrubs. Beautiful
views of Westonbirt House, now Westonbirt School, not open.
House and garden adm £6.50, garden only adm £3.50,
chd £2 Light refreshments only 01666 881338.
For
Opening Times of Westonbirt School Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Westwell Manor, near Burford,
Oxfordshire, OX18 4JT
A visitor will find at Westwell an enclosed garden, surrounding a Tudor manor house, having many different rooms, and a focus upon the use of water in both traditionally and more innovative ways. Highlights include a Moonlight Garden where white plants catch the moonlight in an area surrounded by a circular yew hedge, herbaceous border, potager, a rose garden, orchard, water gardens, and experiments in land art.
Whitcombe House, Overbury, Worcestershire (Faith & Anthony Hallett)
8m S of Evesham. 7m W of Broadway, 5m E of Tewkesbury, 7m
N of Cheltenham. Overbury village lies off B4080 between Bredon & Beckford.
Whitcombe House nr church
Garden set in 1 acre of walled garden. Large herbaceous
borders, framed by weeping beech and the Indian Bean tree
give shape and height. Shrubberies, countless roses and more
raised beds beside gravel paths and high walls complement
the air of informality and colour. A stream runs swiftly
over waterfalls through the garden under the Captain's Bridge
and is surrounded on all sides with primulas, arums and marginals.
Allow plenty of time to relax and enjoy the tranquillity
and variety, lots of plants available too. Featured in 'Gloucester
Echo & Evesham Journal 2005.
Adm £3.50, chd free, OAP £2.50 . Private visits welcome
by appt.01386 725206
For
Opening Times of Whitcombe House Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
Whitehill Farm,
Widford nr Burford OX18 4DT
(Mr & Mrs Paul Youngson)
1m E of Burford. From A40 take turn signed Widford. Follow
signs to Whitehill Farm Nursery
2 acres of hillside gardens and woodland with spectacular
views overlooking Burford and Windrush valley. Informal plantsman's
garden being continuously developed in various areas. Herbaceous
and shrub borders, pond and bog area, old-fashioned roses,
ground cover, ornamental grasses, bamboos and hardy geraniums.
Adm £2.50, chd free Home-made teas
For
Opening Times of Whitehill Farm Gardens - www.ngs.org.uk/
In 1859, a philanthropic Liverpool merchant, William Rathbone, gained much comfort from employing a nurse to care for his dying wife in her own home. Aware of the plight of the poor, for whom there was no such provision, he asked her to finish her contract by tending to them. Convinced by this experiment, he raised funds for the recruitment, training and employment of nurses to go into the deprived areas of the city, which he divided into 'districts', each with an honorary 'Lady Superintendent'. This initiative was to be the beginning of 'District' Nursing. By the end of the 19th century, this regional scheme had been widely copied, and, with the help of Florence Nightingale and the warm approval of Her Majesty the Queen, became 'Queen Victoria's Institute': a national voluntary organisation responsible for setting standards and training nurses for duty in the new countrywide District Nursing Service. 
