Over the weekend of 27, 28, and 29 May gardens across the country will be opening their gates for the National Garden Scheme’s 90th anniversary and we’ve highlighted the Somerset ones you can visit
Orchard View
Flaxpool, Crowcombe, Taunton TA4 4AW
Quaint medium sized cottage garden, lined with art pieces and containing diverse features. Attached to this beautiful garden is an artist’s ceramics studio. A hidden gem of tranquillity. Ceramic sculpture.
Facilities: Light refreshments, Not Suitable for Wheelchairs.
Opening Dates and Time: Sun 27 May.
Abbey Farm
Montacute TA15 6UA
2½ acres of mainly walled gardens on sloping site provide the setting for Cluniac Medieval Priory gatehouse. Interesting plants incl roses, shrubs, grasses, clematis. Herbaceous borders, white garden, gravel garden. Small arboretum. Pond for wildlife - frogs, newts, dragonflies. Fine mulberry, walnut and monkey puzzle trees. Seats for resting. Restored Grade 2 listed dovecote.
Facilities: Light Refreshments, Plants For Sale, Wheelchair Access (Gravel area and one steep slope).
Open 28 and 29 May.
25 Chaucer Road
Bath, BA2 4QX.
Compact town garden designed by present owners. A courtyard of potted plants surrounded by attractive colour co-ordinated herbaceous borders leads to the next levels which include small fish pond, resident tortoise and vegetable section. Garden is open to coincide with the Bear Flat Artists weekend.
Facilities: Home-made teas, Plants For Sale, Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Open 27 and 28 May.
1 Braggchurch
93 Hendford Hill, Yeovil BA20 2RE.
Old garden of undulating lawns and mature trees evolving since May 2002 to semi-wild, nature-friendly, woodland garden with a few surprises within the new planting - refurbished tree house, dancing figures, Anderson shelter, pond, willow weaving, retreat with poetry, medlar tree enclosure, rhododendron hideaway and courtyard curios/mosaics.
Facilities: Home-made teas, Limited wheelchair access.
Open 27, 28, 29 May.
Elworthy Cottage (Comm)
Elworthy, Taunton TA4 3PX.
1 acre plantsman’s garden in tranquil setting. Island beds, scented plants, clematis, unusual perennials and ornamental trees and shrubs to provide yr round interest. In spring pulmonarias, hellebores and more than 300 varieties of snowdrops. Planted to encourage birds, bees and butterflies, lots of birdsong. Wild flower areas, decorative vegetable garden, living willow screen. Stone ex privy and pigsty feature.
Facilities: Plants For Sale, Coaches, Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Open 29 May
Hinton St George Gardens
High Street, Crewkerne TA17 8SE
A Group opening of 6 Gardens varying in size and style in beautiful hamstone village. C15 church. Country seat of the Earls of Poullett for 600yrs until 1973.
Facilities: Home-made teas at Hooper’s Holding, Dogs Allowed, Plants For Sale, Coaches, Wheelchair access to Hooper’s Holding only.
Open 28 and 29 May
Tintinhull
Tintinhull, Yeovil BA22 8PZ
Famous 2-acre National Trust garden in compartments developed 1900 to present day, partly influenced by Hidcote, many interesting plants.
Facilities: Cream teas, Plants for sale, Wheelchair access to most of garden.
Open 28 May.
Wayford Manor
Wayford, Crewkerne TA18 8QG
The mainly Elizabethan manor (not open) mentioned in C17 for its ‘fair and pleasant’ garden was redesigned by Harold Peto in 1902. Formal terraces with yew hedges and topiary have fine views over W Dorset. Steps down between spring-fed ponds past mature and new plantings of magnolia, rhododendron, maples, cornus and, in season, spring bulbs, cyclamen, giant echium. Primula candelabra, arum lily, gunnera around lower ponds.
Facilities: Home-made teas, Dogs Allowed, Plants For Sale, Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Open 28 May.
Other Gardens Open for the NGS:
To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local garden centres, or go to ngs.org.uk.
We’ve included a couple of Bristol gardens too...
Hanham Court
Ferry Road, Hanham Abbots, Bristol, BS15 3NT
Hanham Court Gardens develop this rich mix of bold formality, water, woodland, orchard, meadow and kitchen garden with emphasis on scent, structure and romance, set amid a remarkable cluster of manorial buildings between Bath and Bristol.
Facilities: Home-made teas, Partial wheelchair access.
Open Sun 28 May, Mon 29 May
St Monica Trust
Cote Lane Westbury on Trym Bristol Bristol BS9 3UN
The gardens of the St Monica Trust retirement community are a mix of old established borders and new planting. The tree collection, documented in a tree guide, is extensive and impressive, with many unusual specimens. The scented garden is the centrepiece of the gardens and provides year-round interest.
Facilities: Light refreshments, Plants for sale, Wheelchair access, Dogs welcome.
Open Sun 28 May
Fancy visiting more of Somerset’s prettiest gardens? Click here!
