Gardens open this week for the National Gardens Scheme
We have no fewer than five gardens to tell you about this week:
HENLEY HALL, Henley, Ludlow SY8 3HD. 2m E of Ludlow. Take A4117 signed to Clee Hill and Cleobury MOrtimer. On reaching Henley, the gates to Henley Hall are on the right when travelling in the direction towards Clee Hill. Open Sunday 8th May 10 am - 5 pm. £6 adults. Wheelchair access to some parts of the garden.
Henley Hall offers a mixture of formal and informal gardens. The historic elements including formal lawn, stone staircase with balustrades, ha-ha, a beautiful walled garden and 'pulmonary' water feature created in 1874. Highlights include walk ways along the banks of the River Ledwyche with decorative weirs, stone arched bridge, and woodland paths.
Home made teas. Dogs welcome (but not in the flower beds!) | |
OTELEY Ellesmere SY12 0PB. 1m SE of Ellesmere. Entrance out of Ellesmere past Mere, opp Convent nr to A528/495 junction. Open Sunday 8th May 11 am to 4 pm. Adult £6. Wheelchair access if dry.
10 acres running down to The Mere. Walled kitchen garden, architectural features, many old interesting trees. Rhododendrons, azaleas, wild woodland walk and views across Mere to Ellesmere. First opened in 1927 when the National Garden Scheme started. Light refreshments available. | |
GOLDSTONE HALL GARDENS, Goldstone, Market Drayton TF9 2NA. 5m N or Newport on A41. Follow brown and white signs from Hinstock. From Shrewsbury A53, R for A41 Hinstock then look out for NGS signs. Open Wednesday 11th May 12 - 5 pm. £6.50 adults. Wheelchair access on gravel and lawns.
5 acres with highly productive beautiful kitchen garden. Unusual vegetables and fruits - alpine strawberries; heritage tomatoes, salad, chillies, celeriac. Roses in Walled Garden from May. Winner of the prestigious 2022 Good Hotel Guide's Editor's Choice Award for Gardens.
Home-made teas in award winning oak framed pavilion in the midst of the garden with cakes created by the hotel's own talented chef.
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NEEN VIEW, Neen Sollars, Cleobury Mortimer, DY14 9AB. 3m from the market town of Cleobury Mortimer. From A456 past Mamble, turn R at Neen Sollars, following lane to Live and Let Live for parking. From Clobury take the Tenbury Rd, turn L & L again then up the hill to Neen View Gardens. Open Wednesday 11th May 12 - 5 pm. £5 adults. Pre-booking essential. Please visit www.ngs.org.uk for information and booking. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
New to the NGS, Neen View has expansive Views, mature trees, azaleas, camellias and wildlife ponds.
The garden has been developed since the early 1980s by the then owners of the Live and Let Live Inn. Originally a Cow pasture, a series of paths and steps have been created to take you up the garden. Mature trees abound, but the emphasis has been to highlight the stunning views of the Titterstone Clee Hill and the Teme valley. There are plenty of seats to enjoy the views, four ponds have been created and there is an ever-expanding collection of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias. Walking around you will find the ruined Bothy and Japanese stream garden. A wildflower meadow greets the climber at the top where the views are at their best.
Home-made teas in the Live and Let Live Inn | |
RUTHALL MANOR, Ditton Priors, WV16 6TN. 7 m SW of Bridgnorth. At Ditton Prior Church take road signed Bridgnorth, then 2nd L. Garden 1 m. Open Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May 12.30 to 5 pm. £5 adults. Pre-booking preferred for this garden please. Visit www.ngs.org.uk for information and booking. Wheelchair access to most parts.
Another chance to visit Ruthall Manor which sits beautifully within the stunning Shropshire countryside. Set against the Clee, the 1- acre garden is defined by an unusual and mature collection of architectural trees, which subtly divide the garden into intimate sections.
These areas are carefully linked by winding paths and creative use of colour combinations. Shape and texture are further balanced with delicate planting schemes and rare or distinctive plants. The traditional front lawn is flanked by striking, mature borders and leads onto a low-maintenance, gravel, art garden and ha-ha; while the stumpery and woodland gardens reveal rare specimen trees, curious artifacts and many hidden treasures. Clematis and roses scramble through an eclectic collection of wrought-iron work, unique pottery and secluded seating, climaxing in vibrant candelabra primulas, iris and bog plants which frame the old horse pond and offset the tranquillity and beauty of the willows. New this year is a view point for Medieval Village. Dovecote in the orchard. Wheelchair access to most areas.
A donation to the NGS willl be made from the sale of the home made teas. | |
| Children are admitted free to all Shropshire gardens | |
More dates for your diary:
Cat's Whiskers at Knowbury, Ludlow is another new garden to the NGS this year opening on Sunday 22nd May and Monday 23rd May from 2 - 7 pm. There will be a children's treasure hunt too, so an ideal day out for all the family.
Also on Sunday 22nd May, Longner Hall at Uffington opens its gates once again between 2 and 5 pm.
On Tuesday 24th May there is another opportunity to visit Brownhill House at Ruyton XI Towns, open between 10 am and 6.30 pm.
There will be another chance to visit Neen View which will open again on Wednesday 25th May between 12 and 5 pm.
Finally for this week, on Saturday 28th May between 10 am and 5 pm there will be an opportunity for you to view the National Collection of Sarracenia as well as many other carnivorous plants in the greenhouses at Beaufort. | |
| The National Garden Scheme has supported Hospice UK since 1996, donating over £6 million during that time. In 2021, despite the continuing challenges and restrictions caused by the pandemic, we donated £500,000 to Hospice UK. | | |
