Message from Victoria Kirk, National Gardens Scheme publicity for Shropshire.
THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME CELEBRATION SUMMER
90 YEARS OF GARDENS OPEN FOR CHARITY
This Sunday 4th June, three glorious Shropshire gardens open their gates to the public supporting the National Garden Scheme's 90th birthday celebration summer.
Stanley Hall, Bridgnorth (WV16 4SP) opens Sunday 4th June from 2-6pm. Admission £4 with children free. Home-made teas served.
Situated ½ mile north of beautiful Bridgnorth, visitors will find that this is a superb collection of gardens and a wonderful afternoon out for everyone who loves visiting gardens. Starting with a ½ mile drive amid rhododendrons, fine trees and pools visitors can enjoy seeing a restored ice-house and stroll through stunning woodland at Stanley Hall. The Dower House is also included and shares 4 acres of woodland and shrub garden, contemporary sculptures and a wonderful, walled vegetable garden. The Granary features a small trellis garden, with exquisitely planted hanging baskets and herbaceous borders, while South Lodge is a quintessential, cottage hillside garden. Four different and delightful private gardens in Shropshire to enjoy, on a sunny June afternoon.
The Croft, Ash Magna, Whitchurch (SY13 4DR) opens on Sunday 4th June from 1-5pm and every Tuesday from 6th June to 22nd August, plus visits by arrangement. Admission is £3 with children free. Home-made teas served.
Shortlisted in the 2016 Daily Mail Garden Competition, this garden incorporates many planting styles and has something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can relax and study wildlife along banks of thyme, meandering paths, woodland walks and bee and butterfly borders; while herbaceous borders, fruit terraces and sunken hot spots illustrate different types of garden planting. This is a garden with a little bit of everything in it to delight both its owners and all visitors. Come and see the pond with a 'surprise', or contented chickens and four-legged lawnmowers! Sadly this is the FINAL CHANCE to visit these gardens as the owners are moving house –don't miss out!
Windy Ridge, Little Wenlock, Telford (TF6 5BB) opens on Sunday 4th June from 12-5pm. Admission £5 with children free and visits by arrangement. 
This multi-award winning village garden set in 2/3 acre is frequently described by visitors as both stunning and inspirational. Its strong design with over 1,000 species, coupled with exuberant, colour-themed planting schemes offer a picture around every corner. Lynda Clarke, owner of Ruthall Manor in Ditton Priors and herself a garden designer described owner of Windy Ridge, Fiona Chancellor as: 'a serious plants-woman', in reference to her knowledge and creativity. Both Fiona and husband George have created a garden to be envied and emulated. The grass and perennial gravel garden has created so much interest that versions of it have appeared all over the country – truly an inspiration and definitely a garden not to be missed!
Opening next week there is also another chance to see and enjoy:
Edge Villa, in Yockleton (SY5 9PY) which opens on Wednesday 7th June from 9.30-1pm Visits also offered by arrangement. Admission is £4 with children free. Light refreshments are served.
This is another chance to see this stunning garden at its best. Set in two acres of rolling Shropshire hills, Edge Villa is well-renowned for being a delightful example of a quintessential English country garden. Superb herbaceous borders and a self-sufficient vegetable and fruit garden are complemented by the stunning dewpond, which at this time of year will be surrounded by purple elder, irises, candelabra primulas and dioramas. This June 7th opening, visitors will also be able to purchase plants and then enjoy a cuppa and slice of cake in the sheltered courtyard, while surrounded by fragrant roses. Children can play in the Teepee or Wendy House.
What could be nicer for a sunny, summer Shropshire afternoon? Especially as all visitors have the added pleasure of knowing that entrance fees and monies raised support vital cancer and nursing charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospices UK, the Carer's Trust, Parkinson's UK plus several smaller but equally important charities.
As the 2017 National Garden Scheme logo says: Great Garden – Great Cake!
Visiting our gardens helps change lives.
Wherever you go this weekend, make sure it's a National Garden Scheme weekend.
For more details on these and all National Garden Scheme Gardens, please visit our website at www.ngs.org.uk . Thank you for your support.
-- Yoland Brown Brownhill House B&B & Garden, Ruyton XI Towns nr. Shrewsbury SY4 1LR Tel: 01939 261 121 brownhill@eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.org uk www.eleventowns.com ShACC - Shropshire Alternative Car Club - www.ShACC-uk.org MAILING LIST for Ruyton XI Towns area Yo`s blog: http://Yo-emails.blogspot.co.uk
