Tiptoe Through The Tulips

A riot of colour awaits you at these wonderful NGS gardens to visit.

For some people tulips are symbolic of fame and perfect love.  The symbolic meanings also change with the colour of the tulips.  Red tulips mean "believe me" and are a declaration of true love.  Variegated tulips mean "you have beautiful eyes".  Yellow tulips mean "there's sunshine in your smile" and cheerful thoughts.  Cream coloured tulips mean "I will love you forever”.  White tulips symbolize heaven, newness and purity.  Purple tulips symbolize royalty.  Pink tulips mean affection and caring.  Orange tulips mean energy, enthusiasm, desire, and passion.  Tulips also mean eternal life and are heralds of spring.  Along with crocuses and daffodils, tulips are the first flowers to blossom each year, sometimes while there is still snow on the ground nearby.  Tulips are perfect for gardens that are designed to bloom from the earliest possible date.  The meaning of the garden can be encoded in the choice of flower colours.  For example, a white tulip garden would symbolize heaven on earth.

We hope you will enjoy visiting these beautiful gardens – whatever the meaning!

Bedfordshire

THE FIRS 
33 Bedford Road, Sandy SG19 1EP. Mr & Mrs D Sutton. 01767 227589. d.sutton7@ntlworld.com. 7m E of Bedford. On B1042 towards Sandy town centre. On rd parking. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 30 May (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt groups & indivduals, incl talk on development of the garden..
¼-acre town garden with many garden features reflecting the different conditions from full sun to shade. Designed and created from scratch since 2000 this garden is productive in fruit, flowers, vegetables and wildlife. Run organically, this garden has everything from shrubs, trees, alpines, perennials, to water features.. New for 2010 will be an extension to the garden, which will have new planting of trees and flowering shrubs.. Featured in Real Homes in Czech Republic.. Gravel drive.

Cambridgeshire

DOCWRA'S MANOR
2 Meldreth Road, Shepreth SG8 6PS. Mrs Faith Raven. 01763 260677. www.docwrasmanorgarden.co.uk. 8m S of Cambridge. ½m W of A10. Garden is opp the War Memorial in Shepreth. King's Cross-Cambridge train stop 5 min walk. Adm £4, chd free (under 16). All yr Weds, Fris & 1st Sun in month (10-4). For NGS - Sun 9 May (2-5.30).
2½ acres of choice plants in series of enclosed gardens. Tulips and Judas trees. Opened for NGS for more than 40yrs. Quality assured visitor attraction.

NETHERHALL MANOR
Tanners Lane, Soham CB7 5AB. Timothy Clark Esq. 01353 720269. 6m Ely, 6m Newmarket. Enter Soham from Newmarket, Tanners Lane is 2nd R 100yds after cemetery. Enter Soham from Ely, Tanners Lane is 2nd L after War Memorial. Home-made teas. Adm £2, chd free. Suns 4 Apr; 2 May; 1, 8 Aug (2-5).
'An elegant garden touched with antiquity' Good Gardens Guide. This is an unusual garden which will appeal to those with an historical interest in the individual collections of genera and plant groups: April – Old primroses, daffodils and Victorian double flowered hyacinths. May – Old English tulips. Aug – Victorian pelargonium, heliotrope, calceolaria and dahlias.

Cheshire & Wirral

BLUEBELL COTTAGE GARDENS
Lodge Lane, Dutton WA4 4HP. Sue & David Beesley. 01928 713718. www.lodgelane.co.uk. 5m NW of Northwich. From M56 (J10) take A49 (Whitchurch) turn R at T-lights towards Runcorn. Then 1st turning L. Teas. Adm £4, chd free. Wed to Sun Apr to Sept 10-5. For NGS - Suns 25 Apr; 8 Aug (10-5).
The 1½-acre garden is on a quiet rural lane in the heart of Cheshire and is packed with thousands of rare and familiar hardy herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. Our spring opening coincides with the peak flowering in the bluebell woods, incl in the visit. Unusual plants available at adjacent nursery   . Featured in 'Garden News'. Owner Sue Beesley regular garden feature on Manchester's Channel M TV. Partial wheelchair access.

MAYFIELD
The Peppers, Lymm WA13 0JA. Janet Bashforth . 01925 756107. janetbashforth@talktalk.net. 4m from J7 M56 or 2m J21 M6. In Lymm village turn by Lloyds TSB Bank into Pepper St. Follow NGS signs, take 2nd R leading into The Peppers. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 25 Apr; Sat 19 June (12-5). Evening Opening £5, wine & refreshments, Sat 10 July (7.30-10). Visitors also welcome by appt.
Constantly evolving plantswoman's garden, approx 1/3 acre. Dry shade area set under mature trees. Colourful mixed borders containing herbaceous perennials and shrubs with a wonderful display of tulips in Apr/May. Front garden has large number of grasses, and vibrant perennial border. Interesting structures and features throughout.

RODE HALL
Church Lane, Scholar Green ST7 3QP. Sir Richard & Lady Baker Wilbraham. 01270 873237. www.rodehall.co.uk. 5m SW of Congleton. Between Scholar Green (A34) & Rode Heath (A50). House & garden £6, concession £5, garden only £4, concessions £3. Snowdrops; 30 Jan - 7 Mar daily except Mons & Tues (12-4). Gardens; Tues, Weds, Thurs & BH 1 April to 30 Sept (2-5).
Nesfield’s terrace and rose garden with view over Humphry Repton’s landscape is a feature of Rode gardens, as is the woodland garden with terraced rock garden and grotto. Other attractions incl the walk to the lake, restored ice house, working walled kitchen garden and new Italian garden. Fine display of snowdrops in February.

POULTON HALL
Poulton Lancelyn, Bebington CH63 9LN. The Lancelyn Green Family. www.poultonhall.co.uk. 2m S of Bebington. From M53, J4 towards Bebington; at T-lights R along Poulton Rd; house 1m on R. Adm £4, chd free. Sat 17, Sun 18 Apr (2-5.30).
3 acres; front lawns with view of the house, wild flower meadow and shrubbery. Child-friendly features incl a surprising new approach to the walled garden, redesigned Nursery Rhyme area, wood sculptures of Robin Hood and Jabberwocky by Jim Heath and other reminders of Roger Lancelyn Green's retellings. Sundial garden for the visually impaired is sponsored by Bebington Rotary club. As a powerful memorial to Richard Lancelyn Green, new monumental, stainless steel sculpture of enigmatic contemporary form has been created by Sue Sharples, who designed the bronze Viking head. Art. Displays and music recital 4pm.

Cumbria

LILAC COTTAGE GARDEN
Blitterlees, Silloth CA7 4JJ. Lynn & Jeff Downham. 01697 332171. lilaccottage@tiscali.co.uk. 1m S of Silloth. On B5300 the Maryport to Silloth rd. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sat 24, Sun 25 Apr (11-4). Visitors also welcome by appt , April to August.
Approx 1-acre garden set in compartments in a coastal setting. Featuring raised and woodland gardens, herbaceous borders, large lawned areas and sandstone gazebo. Each garden has an individual theme, well stocked with plants and shrubs. In the springtime the magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons and tulip beds give a fine display of colour, which continues throughout summer and into autumn. Featured in 'Cumbria Life'.

Devon

KINGSTON HOUSE
Staverton TQ9 6AR. Mr & Mrs M R Corfield. 01803 762235. info@kingston-estate.co.uk. 4m NE of Totnes. A384 Totnes to Buckfastleigh, from Staverton, 1m due N of Sea Trout Inn, follow signs to Kingston. Cream teas. Adm £4, chd 50p. Suns 21 Mar; 16 May; 20 June (2-6). Evening Opening £6, wine, Sun 18 July (5-8). Visitors also welcome by appt for individuals and groups, coaches by prior arrangement.
George II 1735 house Grade II (not open). Gardens restored in keeping with the period. Walled garden, rose garden, pleached limes and hornbeams, vegetable garden. Unusual formal garden with santolinas, lavender and camomile. Large formal parterre. 6000 tulips in bloom mid-May, maybe!. Many gravel paths.

Dorset

10 MILNER ROAD
Westbourne BH4 8AD. Mr & Mrs Colin Harding. 1½m W of Bournemouth. E of Westbourne on Poole Rd. S at T-lights into Clarendon Rd. Cross over Westcliff Rd into Westovercliff Dr. 1st R, then 1st L and 1st R into Milner Rd. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 2, Mon 3 May (11-5).
Modern clifftop garden designed and constructed by Colin Harding in 1986 in a natural style with key formal accents incl many natural driftwood sculptures. Wide range of fruit and specimen trees encl by mature holly and rhododendron hedges. Magnificent collection of camellias, magnolias and azaleas underplanted with helebores and spring bulbs.

1692 WIMBORNE ROAD
Bear Cross BH11 9AL. Sue & Mike Cleall. 01202 573440. 5m NW of Bournemouth. On A341, 200yds E of Bear Cross r'about. Home-made teas. Adm £2.50, chd free. Suns 25 Apr; 16 May; Sat 5, Sun 6 June; Sun 4 July (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt April, May, June only.
Suburban garden 120ft x 50ft. Rhododendrons, acers and azaleas. Helleborus and woodland plants for spring and, new this yr, tulips. Pergola with roses and climbers, hydrangeas and herbaceous borders for summer. Man-made stream with waterfall runs through lawned area with primulas, ferns and gunnera. Wildlife pond. Trees provide further interest.

IVY HOUSE GARDEN
Piddletrenthide DT2 7QF. Bridget Bowen. 01300 348255. biddybowen@aol.com. 9m N of Dorchester. On B3143. In middle of Piddletrenthide village, opp PO/village stores near Piddle Inn. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Mon 5 Apr; Suns 2, 30 May (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt up to end of June.
Unusual and challenging ½-acre plantsman's garden set on steep hillside, with fine views. Themed areas and mixed borders, wildlife ponds, propagating garden, Mediterranean garden, greenhouses and polytunnel, chickens and bees, nearby allotment. Daffodils, tulips, violets and hellebores in quantity for spring openings. Come prepared for steep terrain and a warm welcome.

Essex

FEERINGBURY MANOR
Coggeshall Road, Feering CO5 9RB. Mr & Mrs Giles Coode-Adams. 01376 561946. sonia@coode-adams.demon.co.uk. 12m SW of Colchester. Between Coggeshall & Feering on Coggeshall Rd, 1m from Feering. Adm £4, chd free (share to Firstsite). Thurs, Fris, 6 May to 30 July; Thurs, Fris, 2 Sept to 1 Oct; (8.30-4). Visitors also welcome by appt.
Flower beds surround house and ponds with a fascinating mix of bulbs, herbaceous, shrubs and climbers. Tulips flower under blossom in Apr/May, wild flowers and beds peak in June/July, berries and Michaelmas daisies in Sept. Sculpture, gazebo, gates and trellis designed and made by sculptor Ben Coode-Adams.

ULTING WICK
Maldon CM9 6QX. Mr & Mrs B Burrough. 01245 380216. philippa.burrough@btinternet.com. 3m NW of Maldon. Take turning to Ulting (Ulting Lane) off B1019 at Langford, after 2.2m at T-junction, garden is opp. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free. Sun 2 May; Sun 19 Sept (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt parties of 10+. Parking for two coaches.
Colourful 4 acre garden set around C16 farmhouse and listed black Essex barns with additional 3 acre woodland planted 2004. Many herbaceous borders incl striking pink and dramatic, dahlia filled, cutting garden. Tulips a passion bordering on an obsession! Natural pond and stream bordered by mature willows, moisture and shade loving plants. Vegetable garden with Victorian style glasshouse. Walk to All Saints Ulting Church by R Chelmer, signed from garden. Church will be open for talk on its history.

Gloucestershire

GRANGE FARM
Evenlode, nr Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0NT. Lady Aird. 01608 650607. meaird@aol.com. 3m N of Stow-on-the-Wold. E of A429 Fosseway & 1½m from Broadwell. Home-made teas & light refreshments. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 2 May (10-5). Visitors also welcome by appt May to July. Coaches permitted.
Roses, clematis and wisteria cover the C17 house. Herbaceous borders brim with colourful planting and glorious tulips flower in May. The heart of the garden is the orchard where the ancient apple trees spread over tulips, fritillary and narcissi. The water garden, bordered with primula, hostas and iris adds to the tranquillity. Interesting topiary, sunken garden, yew circle and vegetable garden.

Gwent

GLEBE HOUSE
Llanvair Kilgeddin NP7 9BE. Mr & Mrs Murray Kerr. 01873 840422. joanna@amknet.com. Midway between Abergavenny (5m) and Usk (5m). On B4598. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free. Sat 17, Sun 18 Apr (2-6). Visitors also welcome by appt mid April to end June and groups of any size.
½ acres of a multitude of bulbs: herbaceous borders packed with tulips, grassy areas with crocus, narcissi, daffodils and orchard with fritillaries and camassias. S-facing terrace, small ornamental vegetable garden. The Old Rectory of St Mary's, Llanvair Kilgeddin, with its famous Victorian sgraffito murals which will be open to visitors along with the garden. Tulip photos by Charles Hawes.

HIGH GLANAU MANOR
Lydart, Monmouth NP25 4AD. Mr & Mrs Hilary Gerrish. 01600 860005. helenagerrish@hotmail.co.uk. 4m SW of Monmouth. Situated on B4293 between Monmouth & Chepstow. Turn into 'Private Road' opp Five Trees Carp Fishery. Home-made teas. Adm £4, chd free. Sun 9 May (2-6). Visitors also welcome by appt.
Listed Arts and Crafts garden laid out by H Avray Tipping in 1922. Original features incl impressive stone terraces with far-reaching views over the vale of Usk to Blorenge, Skirrid, Sugar Loaf and Brecon Beacons. Pergola, herbaceous borders, Edwardian glasshouse, rhododendrons, azaleas, tulips, orchard with wild flowers and woodland walks. Featured in 'Country Life'.

Hampshire

BEECHENWOOD FARM
Hillside, Odiham RG29 1JA. Mr & Mrs M Heber-Percy. 01256 702300. beechenwood@totalise.co.uk. 5m SE of Hook. Turn S into King St from Odiham High St. Turn L after cricket ground for Hillside. Take 2nd turn R after 1½m, modern house ½m. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free. Every Wed 31 Mar to 2 June incl (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt Apr & May only, no coaches. Small groups and individuals welcome.
2-acre garden in many parts. Lawn meandering through woodland with drifts of crocus, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and bluebells. Rose pergola with steps, pots with spring bulbs and later aeoniums. Fritillary and cowslip meadow. Walled herb garden with pool and exuberant planting incl alliums and angelica. Orchard incl white garden and hot border. Large greenhouse and vegetable garden. Rock garden extending to grasses, ferns and bamboos. Shady walk to belvedere with views over farmland. 8-acre copse of native species with grassed rides. Gravel drive.

BERE MILL
London Road, Whitchurch RG28 7NH. Rupert & Elizabeth Nabarro. 01256 892210. rnabarro@aol.com. 9m E of Andover, 12m N of Winchester. In centre of Whitchurch, take London Rd at roundabout. Up hill 1m, turn R 50yds beyond The Gables on R. Drop-off point for disabled at garden. Home-made teas. Adm £4, chd free (share to Smile Train). Sun 21 Mar; Sun 30, Mon 31 May (1.30-5). Visitors also welcome by appt , Fris only, for 10+.
The garden is in a beautiful setting beside the R Test, with carriers and a large lake next to a restored SSSI water meadow. It is grazed by Jacob sheep, lambs and belted Galloway cattle. Riverside walks, specie tulips (some growing in grass), peonies, wisteria collection. Double perennial beds and swamp cypress avenue. Eastern influence includes Japanese Tea House, many different riverside irises and unique bridges. Unfenced and unguarded rivers and streams.

53 LADYWOOD
Eastleigh SO50 4RW. Mr & Mrs D Ward. 02380 615389. sueatladywood@btinternet.com. 1m N of Eastleigh. Leave M3 J12. Follow signs to Eastleigh. Turn R at roundabout into Woodside Ave, then 2nd R into Bosville. Ladywood 5th on R. Park in Bosville. Home-made teas at 54 Ladywood (Suns only). Adm £3.50, chd free. Sun, Mon 23, 24 May; Sun, Mon 4, 5 July (Suns 11-5, Mons 2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt April to end July for groups of 10+.
This lovely garden, only 45ft x 45ft, is full of ideas and creative ways of using every available space to grow over 2000 different plants. Clever uses of numerous unusual foliage plants enhance the flower borders throughout the seasons. Pond garden and tiny shade garden are created using trellis onto which many climbers are grown. In 2009 Sue's floral design and planting helped to win the coveted Chelsea Gold Medal for the Hardy Plant Society.Awarded Hampshire Gardener of the Year by 'Hampshire', The County Magazine.

Herefordshire

BRILLEY COURT
Whitney-on-Wye HR3 6JF. Mr & Mrs David Bulmer. 01497 831467. rosebulmer@hotmail.com. 6m NE of Hay-on-Wye. 5m SW of Kington. 1½m off A438 Hereford to Brecon rd signed to Brilley. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Suns 25 Apr; 27 June (2-5.30). Visitors also welcome by appt groups, coaches & individuals all yr.
3-acre garden, walled, ornamental kitchen garden. Spring tulip collection, summer rose and herbaceous borders. 7-acre wild valley stream garden. Limited wheelchair access.

THE GREAT HOUSE
Dilwyn HR4 8HX. Tom & Jane Hawksley. 01544 318007. greathousedilwyn@gmail.com. www.thegreathousedilwyn.co.uk. 7m W of Leominster. A44 from Leominster joining A4112 (signed Brecon). Turn L into Dilwyn village. House on RH-side opp village green. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free. Sun 11 Apr (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt.
1½-acre all-yr garden, designed and created by owners over the last 12yrs. Spring bulbs, red tulips and camassias planted in orchard, traditional rose gardens, yew and beech hedging, raised knot garden, decorative stone and brickwork. 40ft reflecting pool and pleached hornbeams lining the drive all add interest to this country garden which is fronted by wonderful C18 wrought iron gates. Gravel paths.

Hertfordshire

PELHAM HOUSE
Brent Pelham SG9 0HH. Mr & Mrs D K Haselgrove. 01279 777473. david.haselgrove@btinternet.com. 8 m NW of Bishops Stortford. On B1038 E side of village. Adm £4, chd free. Visitors welcome by appt.
3½-acre informal garden on alkaline clay started by present owner in 1986. Plenty of interest to the plantsman. Wide variety of trees and shrubs especially birches and oaks. Bulb frames, raised beds with alpines and acid-loving plants and small formal area with ponds. Many daffodils and tulips.

RAGGED HALL
Gaddesden Row, nr Hemel Hempstead HP2 6HJ. Mr Anthony Vincent. 4m N of Hemel Hempstead. Take A4146 to Water End. Turn R up hill for 2m, turn R at T-junction. House is 3rd L past Chequers PH. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free. Sun 2 May (2-5).
Garden of 1½ acres. Lovely spring garden. Stunning mixed borders. Some unusual plants. Pond garden and cutting garden. Potager with vegetables and flowers. Tulips in May.

Kent

11 RAYMER ROAD
Penenden Heath, Maidstone ME14 2JQ. Mrs Barbara Badham. From M20 J6 at Running Horse roundabout take Penenden Heath exit along Sandling Lane, direction Boxley, Bearsted. At T-lights turn into Downsview Rd and follow signs. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Suns 25 Apr; 4 July (11-4).
Compact garden with lovely views of N Downs divided into different areas for yr-round interest. Yellow magnolia 'Elizabeth', wisteria, Akebia quinata, tulips, auriculas and primulas. Minarette fruit trees underplanted with wild flowers and an apple arch. Vegetables in containers and raised beds, bright hot border and small pond.

ST MICHAEL'S GARDENS
East Peckham TN12 5NH. 5m NE of Tonbridge, 5m SW of Maidstone. On A26 at Mereworth r'about take S exit (A228 Paddock Wood). After 1½m turn L into Roydon Hall Rd. Gardens ½m up hill on L. From Paddock Wood A228 towards West Malling. 1m after r'about with Wheelbarrow turn R into Roydon Hall Rd. Home-made teas. Combined adm £4, chd free (share to Friends of St Michael's Church). Suns 18 Apr; 16 May; 6 June (2-5).
A Victorian house and cottage garden come together to provide colour, scent and inspiration in April, May and June in this rural village. The year unfolds at the grey stone old vicarage with a lovely display of tulips in spring, followed by irises, then a mass of roses from red hot to old soft colours, all complemented by yew topiary hedges and wonderful views from the meadow. The traditional cottage garden, with a wildlife area, was designed so it cannot be seen all at once. Explore and enjoy the collection of lavenders, hostas, clematis, ferns and heathers.Sheep and chickens. Meadow walk. Regret no wheelchair access to St Michael's Cottage.

London

18 LORDSHIP PARK, N16 - new 2010
London N16 5UD. Jane Goligher. Tube: Manor House, Finsbury Park, Arsenal. Buses: 106, 141, 341. Parking on rd. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 23 May (2-6).
Country garden within a town with flowing borders, swathes of naturalistic planting, ponds and swirling lawn, designed by Lucy Sommers. Giant herbaceous borders punctuated by bulbs and ornamental grasses create colour and interest. A wild flower meadow at the rear hosts species tulipa acuminata, cowslips, buttercups and a variety of wild grasses. Nearby Clissold Park suggested for tea.

38 KILLIESER AVENUE, SW2
London SW2 4NT. Mrs Winkle Haworth. 020 8671 4196. winklehaworth@hotmail.com. Mainline stn: Streatham Hill, 5 mins walk. Buses: 59, 133, 137, 159 to Telford Ave. Killieser Ave 2nd turning L off Telford Ave. Adm £4.50, chd free. Visitors welcome by appt April to July, min 5, coaches permitted, refreshments by arrangement.
Densely-planted, romantic, 90ft x 28ft garden divided into four distinct areas. Unusual perennial plants and choice shrubs provide the backbone. Miniature cascade, wall fountain, peaceful Gothic seating arbour and gravel garden with drought-tolerant plants. Rose-filled parterre provides a formal element. Stunning tulip display in spring. Agapanthus in shades of blue and white adorn the dining terrace in summer. Featured in 'The Mail on Sunday'.

5 ST REGIS CLOSE, N10
Alexandra Park Road, London N10 2DE. Ms S Bennett & Mr E Hyde. 020 8883 8540. 2nd L in Alexandra Park Rd from Colney Hatch Lane. Tube: Bounds Green or E Finchley then bus 102 or 299. Alight at St Andrew's Church on Windermere Rd. Bus: 43 or 134 to Alexandra Park Rd. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Suns 2 May; 27 June; 25 July (2-7). Also open 27 June 5 Cecil Rd. Visitors also welcome by appt , groups 6-60 welcome, incl coach parties (convenient parking), catering by arrangement.
A cornucopia of sensual delights! Artists' garden renowned for unique architectural features and delicious cakes. Baroque temple, pagodas, oriental raku-tiled mirrored wall conceals plant nursery. Compost heap with medieval pretensions alongside American Gothic shed. Maureen Lipman’s favourite garden, combining colour, humour and trompe l’oeil with wildlife-friendly ponds, waterfalls, weeping willow and lawns. Imaginative container planting and abundant borders incl exotic and native species, creating an inspirational and re-energising experience. Exhibition of ceramics and prints. Featuring on BBC TV Gardeners' World & ITV Britain's Best Back Gardens.

51 THE CHASE, SW4
London SW4 0NP. Mr Charles Rutherfoord & Mr Rupert Tyler. 020 7627 0182. www.charlesrutherfoord.net. Off Clapham Common Northside. Tube: Clapham Common. Buses: 137, 452. Light refreshments. Adm £2.50, chd free. Sun 25 Apr (2-6). Evening Opening Wed 28 Apr (6-8). Visitors also welcome by appt.
Member of the Society of Garden Designers, Charles has created the garden over 20yrs using 15 different species of trees. Spectacular in spring, 1500 tulips bloom among irises and tree peonies. Narrow paths lead to a mound surrounded by acanthus and topped by a large steel sculpture. Rupert's geodetic dome shelters seedlings, succulents and subtropicals. RHS London Gardens Trail 2009. Featured in GGG.

HORNBEAMS
Priory Drive, Stanmore HA7 3HN. Dr & Mrs R B Stalbow. 020 8954 2218. barbara@bstalbow.wanadoo.co.uk. 5m SE of Watford. Tube: Stanmore. Priory Drive private rd off Stanmore Hill (A4140 Stanmore-Bushey Heath Rd). Refreshments available by arrangement, £2. Adm £3, chd free. Visitors welcome by appt.
Garden designed by owner for yr-round interest. Carpets of aconites, snowdrops and anemones underplant winter-flowering shrubs, Tulipa sprengeri naturalised throughout, Banksian rose clipped hard a special feature. Kitchen garden extended with pots on the terrace, incl potatoes and carrots. Soft fruit, cherries, plums, peaches, Muscat grape shading the conservatory, tomatoes and cucumbers in the green house all nourished by compost produced in three large bins. A fig and vines outside.... Oh yes, we also have summer flowers!

Norfolk

16 WITTON LANE - new 2010
Little Plumstead NR13 5DL. Sally Ward & Richard Hobbs. 5m E of Norwich. From B1140 Norwich to Arcle rd after railway xing, turn T at 2nd xrds, signed Little Plumstead next to Brick kilns PH. Take 2nd L into School Lane, then 2nd R into Witton Lane. From A47 Norwich to Yarmouth rd take L signed Witton Green & Great Plumstead just pass pylons. Then 1st R into Witton Lane keep going for 1½m, garden on L. Adm £2.50, chd free. Sun 11 Apr (11-4).
Small but full garden with a wide range of plants, many rare and unusual. In spring there are species tulips, daffodils, scillas, dogtooth violets and many more bulbous plants. Woodland plants such as trilliums and wood anemones abound. Winter flowering shrubs, climbers and evergreens provide structure for the garden. Featured in 'The Garden'.

HOLME HALE HALL
Holme Hale IP25 7ED. Mr & Mrs Simon Broke. 01760 440328. simon.broke@hotmail.co.uk . 6m E of Swaffham, 8m W Dereham. Exit A47 King's Lynn/Norwich rd at Necton Garden Centre. Continue through Necton village and Holme Hale village approx 1½m. At T-junction turn L, Hall gates on L immed after Low Common Rd. Light refreshments & teas. Adm £4.50, chd free. Suns 30 May; 1 Aug (11-5). Visitors also welcome by appt.
The garden is noted for its spring display of over 5000 tulips, historic wisteria plus mid and late summer flowering. Contemporary walled kitchen garden and front garden designed and planted in 2000 by Chelsea winner Arne Maynard. The garden incorporates large herbaceous borders, trained fruit, vegetables and traditional greenhouse. Featured on Radio Norfolk 'Treasure Quest'.

Northamptonshire

SPRATTON GARDENS
Spratton NN6 8HL. 6½m NNW of Northampton. From Northampton on A5199 turn L at Holdenby Rd for Spratton Grange Farm, after ½m turn L up long drive. For other gardens turn R at Brixworth Rd. Car park signed. Car parking in village well signed with close access to first garden. Maps given to all visitors. Refreshments & teas at St Andrews Church. Combined adm £4, chd free. Sun 9 May (11-5).
The old part of the picturesque village has many late C17 stone built houses and turn of the C19/20 brick-built ones. These line the route between the seven inner village gardens, which are of a very varied nature. One is more formal with courtyard, walled garden and orchard, another a natural stream and pond, one has a 300yr old Holm (evergreen) oak. 3 gardens are cottage-style, with one well-stocked with tulips. Many interesting shrubs with good use of foliage colour. 3 gardens show how much can be made of a small area. Several gardens have fine views over rolling agricultural countryside. The garden outside of the village centre was created from a farm and at 2-acres is the largest. Natural pond, bog garden and beautiful courtyard where once cows stood. One of the gardens will be hosting a massive plant sale. Attractive village with C12 Grade I Norman church which is a very fine example and its many interior features can be admired whilst enjoying home-made light lunches or teas. Disabled access to most gardens.

THE OLD VICARAGE, HUTTON MAGNA
nr Richmond, N Yorkshire DL11 7HJ. Mr & Mrs D M Raw. 8m SE of Barnard Castle. 6m W of Scotch Corner on A66, Penrith direction. Signed Hutton Magna R. Continue to, and through, village. Garden 200yds past village on L, on corner of T-junction. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 18 Apr (2-5.30).
S-facing garden, elevation 450ft. Plantings, since 1978, now maturing within original design contemporary to 1887 house (not open). Cut and topiary hedging, old orchard; rose and herbaceous borders featuring hellebores in profusion, with tulips and primulas. Large and interesting plant stall.

Nottinghamshire

CROWS NEST COTTAGE
Forest Road, NG25 0SZ. Joan Arnold & Tom Heinersdorff. From B6386 turn R into Oxton village (Blind Lane). At T-junction turn R into Forest Rd. Garden is approx 200yds on R. Light refreshments & hot soup. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 18 Apr (12-4).
Bird friendly, mature garden wrapped around the cottage with large wildlife ponds, streams and waterfalls. Yr-round colour with winter-flowering shrubs and spring bulbs following snowdrops. Wonderful tulips, green herbaceous shoots, planted pots and the promise of bluebells and azaleas to come. Unfenced ponds, deep water.

Powys

BODFACH HALL – new 2010
Llanfyllin SY22 5HS. Simon & Maggie Baynes. 2m NW of Llanfyllin . On A490 drive through Llanfyllin. Turn R into parkland at unmarked lodge, over small bridge, take L fork. Park at gates. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free (share to local charities). Mon 31 May (2-5.30).
Approx 10 acres. Stunning display of mature rhododendrons and azaleas from mid-May. Formal and cottage gardens, wisteria clad terrace, box and yew topiary complement Georgian and Victorian architecture. Specimen trees incl a Wellingtonia and Tulip tree, many over 100yrs old. Iris beds in statue garden. Lake, orchids and ancient woodland. Cricket match. Music by N. Powys Youth Music. Charity stalls. Photographic exhibition. Children's play area. Garden & woodland walk. Dogs permitted on leads. Featured in Powys & Shropshire local press.

PEN-Y-MAES
Hay-on-Wye HR3 5PP. Shân Egerton. 1m SW of Hay-on-Wye. On B4350 towards Brecon. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 2 May (2-5).
2-acre garden incl mixed borders; young topiary; walled formal kitchen garden; box under restoration; old roses, irises, peony border, large variety of tulips; espaliered pears. Fine mulberry. Beautiful dry stone walling and mature trees. Great double view of Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons.

Somerset

BADGERS' ACRE
New Road, Stone Allerton BS26 2NW. Lucy Hetherington & Jim Mathers. 01934 713159. 3m SW of Cheddar. Please call for directions. Adm £2.50, chd free. Visitors welcome by appt 1 April to 31 Aug incl.
1-acre garden. Colour-themed mixed shrub and herbaceous borders. Secret Walk with shade-loving plants. Pond and colourful rockery. Semi-circular tulip and allium bed surrounded by box hedge and pergola with climbing roses, clematis and passionflower. Vegetable potager with raised brick beds and pergola draped in rambling roses and clematis.

WESTBROOK HOUSE
West Bradley BA6 8LS. Keith Anderson and David Mendel. 01458 850604. andersonmendel@aol.com. 4m E of Glastonbury. From A361 at W Pennard follow signs to W Bradley (2m). Adm £3, chd free (share to West Bradley Church). Sats 17 Apr; 19 June (11-5). Visitors also welcome by appt.
1½ acres of formal gardens with mixed shrub/herbaceous borders; 2 acres of newly-planted orchard and meadows with spring flowers and species roses.

Surrey

CAXTON HOUSE
67 West Street, Reigate RH2 9DA. Bob Bushby. 01737 243158. ¼m W of Reigate. On A25 towards Dorking, approx ¼m W of Reigate on L. Parking on rd. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 11 Apr (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt May to Oct.
A lovely large April garden with a wildlife wood which is now nicely maturing. There are 3 well-stocked ponds and a large collection of hellebores and carpets of spring flowers. On the terrace there are pots planted with spring displays and also interesting plants can be seen in the conservatory. Small gothic folly built by owner.

DUNSBOROUGH PARK
Ripley GU23 6AL. Baron & Baroness Sweerts de Landas Wyborgh. www.dunsboroughpark.com. 6m NE of Guildford. Entrance across Ripley Green via The Milkway opp Wylie & Mar. Home-made teas. Adm £4, chd free. Thur 22 Apr; Sat 12 June; Sat 11 Sept (12-4).
Extensive walled gardens of 6 acres redesigned by Penelope Hobhouse and Rupert Golby. Good structure with much box hedging creating many different garden rooms. Exciting long herbaceous borders with beautiful standard wisterias. Unusual 70ft ginkgo hedge and ancient mulberry tree. Atmospheric water garden recently redesigned and restored. Fabulous display of tulips in Apr with 10,000 bulbs and large cut flower garden. Festival of Tulips 20, 21 April & 23 to 30 April (12-4).

MOLESHILL HOUSE
The Fairmile, Cobham KT11 1BG. Penny Snell. 01932 864532. pennysnellflowers@btinternet.com. www.pennysnellflowers.co.uk. 2m NE of Cobham. On A307 Esher to Cobham Rd next to free car park by A3 bridge, at entrance to Waterford Close. Home-made teas. Combined with The Coach House £5.50, chd free. Wed 12 May (2-5). Sun 16 May with jazz musicians. Visitors also welcome by appt for groups of 20+.
Romantic garden surrounding Victorian house is constantly being replanned and replanted to meet the vagaries of the English climate. Short woodland path with shade-loving plants leads from dovecote to beehives. Informally planted colour-coordinated borders contrast with the strict formality of topiary box and garlanded cisterns. Mediterranean courtyard with bright colours and tender plants, conservatory, fountains, bog garden, pleached avenue of Sorbus lutescens, wild flowers in rough grass, pots and many unusual features. Garden 5 mins from Claremont Landscape Garden, Painshill Park & Wisley, also adjacent excellent dog-walking woods.

THE COACH HOUSE
The Fairmile, Cobham KT11 1BG. Peter & Sarah Filmer. 2m NE of Cobham. On A307 Esher to Cobham rd next to free car park by A3 bridge, at entrance to Waterford Close. Light refreshments & Pimm's. Open with Moleshill House combined entry £5.50, chd free (share to Otakar Kraus Music Trust). Wed 12 May (2-5). Sun 16 May with Opera Singers in the Garden.
Walled garden evolving to meet the challenge of light sandy soil and dry summers. Colourful borders with mixed shrubs and herbaceous planting, tulips and alliums. Productive vegetable plot, newly-restored original greenhouse, parterre, terrace with pots, many climbers and wall-trained fruit trees plus newly built arbour.

WOODHILL MANOR
Woodhill Lane, Shamley Green GU5 0SP. 01483 891004. stephanie@smithkingdom.com. www.woodhillmanor.com. 5m S of Guildford. Directions on application when booking visit. Home-made teas. Adm £4.50, regret no children owing to deep ponds and steep steps. Pre-booked visitors welcome, strictly by appt, for groups of 5+ Fri 16 Apr, Thur 22, Fri 23 Apr; Thurs, Fris 15, 16, 22, 23 July (all 10.30-4.30). Christmas Celebration with lights, mulled wine and mince pies £7.50 Thu 16 Dec (10.30-4). Visitors welcome by appt Pre-booking for all dates essential for groups of 5+, no coaches.
Georgian manor house with glorious mix of traditional and formal gardens with views towards the S Downs. Dramatic spring display of over 3000 tulips. Box parterres, extensively planted colourful herbaceous beds, courtyards with scented lavender and roses in July. Developing wild flower meadow walks and extensive parkland with mature trees incl mulberry, tulip tree, monkey puzzles. Established wildlife ponds. Large new auricula display. Winter interest and colour. Featured in GGG.

Sussex

4 BIRCH CLOSE
Arundel BN18 9HN. Elizabeth & Mike Gammon. 01903 882722. e.gammon@toucansurf.com. 1m S of Arundel. From A27/A284 r'about at W end of Arundel take Ford Rd. After ½m turn R into Maxwell Rd. Follow signs for ½m. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 2, Mon 3 May (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt during May & July.
1/3 acre of woodland garden on edge of Arundel with woods on three sides. Wide range of mature trees and shrubs (incl silver birch, chestnut, stewartia, acer, rhododendron, viburnum and cornus alternifolia) and many hardy perennials. Particular emphasis on spring flowers (bluebells, narcissi, tulips, alliums, camassia and forget-me-nots) and clematis (over 100 incl 11 different montana) All set in a tranquil setting with secluded corners, meandering paths and plenty of seating. Featured in 'Sussex Life'.

SANDHILL FARM HOUSE
Nyewood Road, Rogate GU31 5HU. Rosemary Alexander. www.rosemaryalexander.co.uk. 4m SE of Petersfield. From A272 Xrds in Rogate, take rd S signed Nyewood/Harting. Follow rd for approx 1m over small bridge. Sandhill Farm House on R, over cattle grid. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50 ( £2.50 March only), chd free. Sat 20, Sun 21 Mar (1.30-4.30); Sat 15, Sun 16 May; Sun 6 June; Sat 25, Sun 26 Sept (2-5).
Front and rear gardens are broken up into garden rooms. Front garden incl small woodland area planted with early spring flowering shrubs and bulbs, white garden and hot dry terraced area. Rear garden has mirror borders, small decorative vegetable garden and 'red' border. Grit and grasses garden. Organic and environmentally friendly. Home of author and Principal of The English Gardening School. Featured in ‘The English Garden’ and ‘Country Homes and Interiors’.

STONE CROSS HOUSE
Alice Bright Lane, Crowborough TN6 3SH. Mr & Mrs D A Tate. ½m S of Crowborough. At Crowborough T-lights (A26) turn S into High St, & shortly R into Croft Rd. Straight over 2 mini roundabouts into Alice Bright Lane. Garden on L at next Xrds about 1½m from T-lights. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sat 8, Sun 9 May (2-5.30).
Beautiful 9-acre country property with gardens containing a delightful array of azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias, interplanted with an abundance of spring bulbs. The very pretty cottage garden has interesting examples of topiary and unusual plants. Jacob sheep graze the surrounding pastures. Gravel drive.

STONEHEALED FARM
Streat Lane, Streat BN6 8SA. Lance & Fiona Smith. 01273 891145. afionasmith@hotmail.com. 2m SE of Burgess Hill. From Ditchling B2116, 1m E of Westmeston, turn L (N) signed Streat, 2m on R immed after railway bridge. Home-made teas. Adm £3.50, chd free (share to St Peter and St James Hospice). Suns 23 May; 12 Sept (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt in May and Sept, 10+ people.
1½ acres surrounded by fields with views to the S Downs. Terrace with seasonal pots, hidden front garden, shaded pond with serpentine bridge, kitchen garden, new lime walk, oak tree deck. Early-flowering shrubs, bulbs and emerging perennial foliage in May. Dramatic late summer colour and grasses in Sept. New hand-carved stepping stone 'family path'.

Wiltshire

BROOMSGROVE LODGE
New Mill, Pewsey SN9 5LE. Diana Robertson. 2m E of Pewsey. From A345 take B3087 Burbage Rd, after 1½m L to New Mill, through village and past canal. Park in field. Light refreshments & home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sun 18 Apr (2-6). Also open Oare House, Oare.
Alongside stunning views of Martinsell Hill discover the imaginatively planted herbaceous borders, in spring full of tulips and forget-me-nots. Large vegetable garden, greenhouse and tunnel. Sunken terrace full of vibrantly planted pots where tea is served and a 4-acre field to wander around to admire the views. Large field parking area where you could picnic and children could play before strolling round the garden.

OARE HOUSE
Rudge Lane, Pewsey SN8 4JQ. Sir Henry Keswick. 2m N of Pewsey. On Marlborough Rd (A345). Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Suns 25 Apr; 25 July (2-6).
Fine house (not open) in large garden with fine trees, hedges, spring flowers, woodlands, extensive lawns and kitchen garden. Partial wheelchair access, gravel paths, some narrow.

LITTLETON DREW GARDENS
SN14 7LL. 6m W of Chippenham. Nr The Gibb PH on B4039. Car parking on rd to Littleton Drew and walk down to Goulters Mill, or drive/ walk up to Barton Cottage. Home-made & cream teas. Combined adm £3.50, chd free. Suns, Mons 4, 5 Apr; 30, 31 May (2-5).
Barton Cottage and Goulters Mill Farm are a contrasting pair of gardens: the first a pretty garden of an Elizabethan Cotswold cottage in the village, the other a ¾-acre garden in a steep sided valley bordered by the beginnings of the Bybrook valley. Densely planted with many unusual perennials, Barton Cottage offers topiary, a pond with ferns and a small potager with espalier apples, standard redcurrant and gooseberries. And how can there possibly be room for the 70 different clematis? Goulters Mill Farm is threaded through with gravel paths, punctuated with topiary and mounds of shrubs and underplanted with an eclectic mix of perennials and self-sown annuals. In spring, hellebores, tulips, anemones, daphne bholua, sarcococca and lonicera fragrantissima, and the bluebell wood is a must in May. Some wheelchair access.
 
PRIORY HOUSE
Market Street, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LH. Mr & Mrs Tim Woodall. Town centre. Park in town centre. Take A363 signed Bath up Market St. House 500yds. Home-made teas. Adm £2.50, chd free. Suns 18 Apr; 1 Aug (2-5.30).
¾-acre town garden, mostly formal. Spring garden of narcissus, tulips and hellebores. Late summer garden of herbaceous, grasses and hydrangeas. Knot garden in front of part Georgian house is an interpretation of the sash windows. Garden steep in parts.

WELLAWAY
Close Lane, Marston SN10 5SN. Mr & Mrs P Lewis. 5m SW of Devizes. From A360, Devizes to Salisbury, R into Potterne through Worton, signed L to Marston, lane ½m on L. Home-made teas. Adm £4, chd free. Suns 11 Apr; 12 Sept (2-6).
2-acre flower arranger's garden comprising herbaceous borders, orchard, vegetable garden, ornamental and wildlife ponds, lawns and naturalised areas. Planted since 1979 for yr-round interest. Shrubberies and rose garden, other areas underplanted with bulbs or ground cover. Springtime particularly colourful with daffodils, tulips and hellebores.

Worcestershire

LITTLE LARFORD
Scots Lane, Astley Burf DY13 0SB. Lin & Derek Walker. 01299 823270. walker363@btinternet.com. www.littlelarfordcottage.org.uk. 3m W of Stourport-on-Severn. Take A451 from Stourport, turn L onto B4196 for Worcester. After 1m turn L signed Larford Lakes. Garden approx 1½m further on. Access via Larford Lane or Seedgreen Lane. Home-made teas . Adm £3, chd free. Suns 18, 25 Apr (11-5).
Hillside ½-acre garden surrounding picturesque thatched cottage (not open) in woodland setting. 'Tulip Time' - many thousands of tulips in ambitious bedding displays amongst shrub and herbaceous borders. Colourful containers and hanging baskets, cut flower and vegetable garden, glasshouse and frames. Woodland walk with numerous bird boxes and viewpoint overlooking cottage towards Severn valley. 'Nature Centre' A walk with wildlife. Featured in AA Book 'Inspirational Gardens', 'Worcestershire Life' & local radio.

Yorkshire

FIR TREES COTTAGE
Stokesley TS9 5LD. Helen & Mark Bainbridge. 01642 713066. www.firtreespelargoniums.co.uk. 1m S of Stokesley. On A172 garden will be signed Pelargonium Exhibition. Home-made teas. Adm £3, chd free. Sats, Suns 15, 16, 22, 23 May (1-5).
1 acre mixed shrubaceous borders, large rockeries, spring bulbs, species tulips, mature conifers, fritillaries, erythroniums and secluded ornamental pond. Hosta collection and garden sculpture. Tranquil garden surrounded by farmland with views to Cleveland Hills and Roseberry Topping. Designed and maintained by owners since 1992 with low maintenance in mind. Large private cacti collection. Pelargonium Exhibition. Featured on BBC 'Gardeners' World, Tatton Park', pelargoniums won 6 gold medals at various major shows. Access via gravel drive.

HIGHFIELDS
Manorstead, Skelmanthorpe HD8 9DW. Julie & Tony Peckham. 01484 864336. julie-tony@tiscali.co.uk. 8m SE of Huddersfield. M1 (J39) A636 towards Denby Dale. Turn R in Scissett village (B6116) to Skelmanthorpe. After 2nd Police Speed Check sign turn L (Barrowstead), continue to top of hill. Adm £2.50, chd free. Suns 18 Apr; 23 May (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appt 19 April to 12 June.
Small garden which shows creativity within metres rather than acres! 2 ponds, gravel bed, box parterre with obelisk water feature, arbours, arches and vertical structures. Incl collection of 30+ hebes in raised beds, and growing collection of muscari and alpines. New for 2010, alpine bed. Featured in 'Garden News', 2nd Prize, Large Garden of the Year, 'Huddersfield Examiner'.

SHANDY HALL GARDENS
Coxwold YO61 4AD. The Laurence Sterne Trust. 01347 868465. www.laurencesternetrust.org.uk. N of York. From A19, 7m from both Easingwold & Thirsk, turn E signed Coxwold. Adm £2.50, chd £1. For details please tel or see website. . For NGS - Evening Openings Fris 23 Apr; 18 June (6-9).
Home of C18 author Laurence Sterne. 2 walled gardens, 1 acre of unusual perennials interplanted with tulips and old roses in low walled beds. In old quarry, another acre of trees, shrubs, bulbs, climbers and wild flowers encouraging wildlife, incl over 140 recorded species of moths. Moth trapping and release.