Now that spring really does seem to be just around the corner, there’s some good news for everybody with an interest in gardens – The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) has a number of beautiful gardens to visit in and around Wilmslow over the coming months.
The National Gardens Scheme was founded in 1927 to raise money for the nurses of the Queen's Nursing Institute by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. The simple, but radical idea was to ask individuals to open up private gardens for 'a shilling a head'.
At that time garden visiting was already a well established pastime, as seen in Pride & Prejudice, but only for a privileged few. In the first year 609 gardens raised over £8,000.
In 2009 the kind garden owners who opened their gardens for the National Gardens Scheme in Cheshire & Wirral raised a total of nearly £128,000 for charity, which was a record result. This amount went towards the national figure of £2.4m which was given to their chosen charities in 2009, an increase of some £800,000 on the previous year. In addition, a further £250,000 was given to other charities nominated by the garden owners themselves.
Over the years a number of charities have joined the beneficiaries including: Macmillan Cancer Relief, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads Caring for Carers and in 2010 NGS are forecasting that they should achieve at least £130,000 in Cheshire & Wirral.
Local gardens participating in NGS include:
- Quarry Bank House Garden, Styal - A 'picturesque' valley garden, which is mainly a spring garden. It was created in the 1790s by cotton mill owner Samuel Greg. This is the first local garden to open on April 17th.
- Well House, Wilmslow - Hidden from view by mature shelter planting, this 3 acre plot offers woodland with spring bulbs and hellebores, formal and informal gardens, a bog area and a wild flower meadow. Open May 8th & July 3rd.
- Hare Hill Gardens, Over Alderley - An attractive spring garden featuring a fine display of rhododendrons and azaleas. This 10-acre garden includes a walled garden which hosts many wall shrubs and is partially suitable for wheelchairs. Open Sun 9th May.
- Bourne Street Gardens, Wilmslow - Two contrasting neighbours’ gardens. New May Tree Cottage is a delightful cottage garden featuring charming 19th century brick outbuildings. Westbury has Victorian and Japanese influences, with a fun discovery trail for children of all ages. Open Sat 15th & Sun 16th May.
- 68 South Oak Lane, Wilmslow - With year round colour, scent and interest, this attractive, small, hedged cottage garden has evolved over the years into 5 natural 'rooms'. Open Sat 5th & Sun 6 June.
- Acton House, Over Alderley - A mature country garden in a 2 acre plot. There are a series of 'rooms' set around gravel paths, including a walled garden, vegetable garden, orchard, courtyard, pergola, clipped hedges and topiary. Open Sat 19th & Sun 20th June.
In addition to these, over 80 gardens in total are to be found all over Cheshire and Wirral. The average admission charge is less than £3 often with free admission to under-16s, making for very affordable family days out. To complete the visit, many offer afternoon teas and well over half will be selling plants at very reasonable prices – perfectly timed for the new gardening season.
Visit The National Gardens Scheme website for a full list of participating gardens, which includes ones in Cheadle Hulme, Knutsford, Gatley, Macclesfield, Mobberley and Rainow.
Photos: Top - Well House, Wilmslow, middle South Oak Lane, Wilmslow.
