This month’s National Garden Scheme venues across Dorset

The Hollow

Bright floral colour and coastal style has transformed this former stone quarry above the seaside town of Swanage into a beautiful garden. Stone terraces, with many unusual shrubs and grasses attract butterflies and bees. Wide range of plants including cacti and air plants.

Open: Every Wednesday until August 30 (2-5.30pm)

Where: 25 Newton Road, Swanage BH19 2EA

Manor Farm

Traditional farmhouse garden noted for its herbaceous borders and rose beds within box and yew hedges. Mature shrubbery, water and bog garden. Dorset Hardy Plant Society stall.

Open: August 6 (1-5pm)

Where: Hampreston, Wimborne BH21 7LX

The Old Rectory

Four acres of formal and informal gardens surround this 18th century rectory with valley views. Yew pyramid allées and hedges, circular herbaceous borders with late summer colour. Exuberantly planted terrace, purple and white beds. Box parterres, fernery, bog garden with islands.

Open: August 6 & 10 (2-5pm)

Where: Pulham DT2 7EA

Broomhill

This former farmyard is now a delightful garden of clipped box, island beds and borders planted with shrubs, roses, grasses, masses of unusual perennials and choice annuals to give vibrancy and colour into the autumn. Great plant stall and homemade teas.

Open: August 10 (2-5pm)

Where: Rampisham DT2 0PU

Hilltop

A gorgeous riot of colour and scent in summer, where unusual annuals and perennials grow alongside the traditional and familiar, which attracts an abundance of wildlife to this thatched cottage’s garden. Gothic garden loo!

Open: August 13 & 20 (2-6pm)

Where: Woodville, Stour Provost SP8 5LY

Brook View Care Home

Colourful and vibrant garden spread over two main areas, one warm and sunny, the other cool and shady. Pond area, games lawn and mixed border. Productive greenhouse, fruit and vegetable gardens, the produce of which is used by the kitchen.

Open: August 19 & 20 (11am-5pm)

Where: Riverside Road, West Moors BH22 0LQ

Castle Rings

A very pretty cottage style garden laid out beside an Iron Age hillfort with spectacular views. A formal area with colourful planting and pots is followed by a paved area with more pots and steps leading through informal planting. Topiary, roses and clematis on tripods.

Open: August 20 (2-5pm)

Where: Donhead St. Mary SP7 9BZ

Farrs

Limited number of tickets for this opening hosted by owners John and Jennie Makepeace. Enjoy several distinctive walled gardens, rolling lawns, sculpture and giant topiary around one of Beaminster’s historic town houses. John’s inspirational grasses garden, Jennie’s riotous potager with an oak fruit cage. Talk by John on his renowned furniture design and recent commissions. Jennie talks about the plants. Cream tea served in the house.

Open: August 23 (2.30-4.30pm)

Where: 3 Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NB

22 Avon Avenue

Japanese themed water garden featuring granite sculptures, ponds, waterfalls, cloud topiary and a collection of goldfish and water lilies.

Open: August 27 (12-5pm)

Avon Castle, Ringwood BH24 2BH

Staddlestones

Cottage garden with colour themed borders, pleached limes and hidden gems, leading over chalk stream to shady area which has some unusual plants. Wire bird sculptures by local artist.

Open: August 27 & 28 (2-5pm)

Where: 14 Witchampton Mill, Witchampton BH21 5DE

More details at ngs.org.uk

 

Special September Opening: Crichel House

This privately owned garden, rarely open to the public is possibly one of the finest gardens in South West England. Mature trees including exceptional cedars form the backdrop to the Walled Garden which was set out in 1976 and over the last nine years has been transformed by head gardener Mark Lyons and his team. Box hedges and paths lead to deep, densely planted herbaceous borders. Lime avenue flanked by orchards, lead to a reflecting pond completed by a stone pavilion and seven individual secret gardens.

Open: September 1 (1-4pm) Cost £50. Pre-booking essential at ngs.org.uk/dorset-special-garden-events/