By Arrangement for a wonderful bespoke garden visit

Lead image: Mitchmere Farm © Abigail Rex

Some gardens in the National Garden Scheme don’t have a specific opening date but garden owners are happy to chat through a date for your own private garden visit for friends, family or a group. It’s the perfect way to get a garden all to yourselves!

Gardens offering By Arrangement only visits in February and March (with many extending the visiting time right through to December) include:

1c Bakers Lane, Bedfordshire
Enchanting, wildlife friendly garden where each month of the year has something exciting to offer. Winter borders planted with colourful cornus and evergreen shrubs, underplanted here with snowdrops and hellebores. Gravel areas are carpeted with miniature cyclamen. It develops through the seasons culminating in early autumn with a spectacular show of sun-loving herbaceous plants. Click for details

Compton Elms, Berkshire
A delightful spring garden set in a sunken woodland, lovingly recovered from clay pit workings. The atmospheric garden is filled with snowdrops, primroses, hellebores and fritillaria, interspersed with anemone and narcissi under a canopy of ash and beech. Click for details

Buckinghamshire

Beech House, is a two acre garden created over the last 37 yrs with a wide range of flowering and foliage plants in a variety of habitats. Bulbs, perennials, shrubs, roses and grasses together with trees planted for their flowers, foliage, ornamental bark and autumn display give a continual display. Two attractive meadows combine long flowering season in a wildlife friendly environment are a popular feature. Click for details

Cedar House, is a plantsman’s garden in the Chiltern Hills with a great variety of trees, shrubs and plants. A sloping lawn leads to a natural swimming pond with wild flowers inc native orchids. A lodge greenhouse and a good collection of half-hardy plants in pots. Click for details

Chesham Bois House, a three acre beautiful garden with primroses, daffodils and hellebores in early spring. Interesting for most of the yr with lovely herbaceous borders, rill with small ornamental canal, walled garden, old orchard with wildlife pond, and handsome trees some of which are topiary. It is a peaceful oasis. Click for details

Kingsbridge Farm, is a stunning, exceptional 6 acre garden, constantly evolving! Main lawn is enclosed by softly curving, colour themed herbaceous borders with gazebo, topiary, clipped yews, pleached hornbeams leading to ha-ha and countryside beyond. A natural stream with bog plants and nesting kingfishers, meanders serenely through shrub and woodland gardens, with many walks. A garden to visit again and again. Click for details

Touchwood, is a two acre garden containing drifts of common snowdrops as well as a few unusual ones. Strong structure provided by terracing, walls and topiarised yew hedging. Your visit will start with a short illustrated talk about snowdrop varieties before you explore the snowdrops lining a shrubbery path, woodland path and rockery. Naturalised snowdrops also line the lawn on either side of the driveway. The visit will end with tea and cakes. Click for details

Wind in the Willows is a three acre wildlife friendly, year-round garden, comprising informal woodland and wild gardens, separated by streams lined by iris, primulas and astilbe. Over 350 shrubs and trees, many variegated or uncommon, marginal and bog plants and a bed of stripy roses. Stunning was the word most often used by visitors. ‘Best private garden I have visited in 20 years of National Garden Scheme visits’ said another. Click for details

Carmarthenshire

Grove of Narbeth, where the garden is framed by ancient oaks and towering beeches, and from our hillside glade you can enjoy views across the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside to the Preseli Hills. 26 acres of woodlands, meadows and gardens, inc an historic walled garden, kitchen garden, and cut flower garden. Extensive woodland walks through the grounds, which inc some steep slopes and undulating paths. Click for details

Llwyngarreg, a work in progress, delighting plant lovers with its many rarities inc primulas, many huge bamboos with Roscoeas, Hedychiums and salvias extending the season through to autumn colour. Trees and rhododendrons are underplanted with perennials. The sunken garden and gravel gardens contain unusual exotics. Springs form a series of linked ponds across the main garden, providing colourful bog gardens. Click for details

The Old Rectory, Narbeth. Behind a formal front garden the woodland garden is a green hollow of historic charm; wildlife welcoming, with ancient and newly planted trees and shrubs. Spring brings snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells to the woodlands. Later rhododendrons, hydrangeas, acers, roses, daisies and geraniums bring pops of colour to the green backdrop. Approx two acres including veg, ponds and unique garden buildings. Click for details

Pen-y-Garn. 1½ acres set in former limestone quarry sympathetically developed to sit within the landscape, with five distinct areas cultivated herbaceous borders and wild no mow lawns. A shady area with woodland planting and wild ponds; no dig kitchen garden; terraced borders with shrubs and herbaceous planting; lawns and pond. Click for details

Ty’r Maes, is a four acre garden with splendid views. Herbaceous and shrub beds, formal design, exuberantly informal planting, full of cottage garden favourites and many unusual plants. Wildlife and lily ponds; fascinating arboretum with over 200 types of tree; particular focus on rhododendron, magnolia and hydrangea cultivars. Gloriously colourful from early spring till late autumn. Click for details

Cheshire

The Well House, is a one acre cottage garden, with a bridge over a natural stream, spring bulbs, perennials, herbs and shrubs. Triple ponds. Adjoining ¾ acre field made into a wildflower meadow; first seeding late 2003. Large bog area of kingcups and ragged robin. February for snowdrop walk. Click for details

Cornwall

Penwarne, was originally planted in the late C19, this 12 acre garden inc extensive plantings of camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas. Special features inc large magnolias and a number of fine mature trees inc copper beech, handkerchief tree and Himalayan cedar. The walled garden, believed to be the site of a medieval chapel, houses herbaceous planting, climbing roses and fruit trees. Click for details

Roseland Parc, is set in 7½ acres of wooded grounds and offers much that makes Cornish gardens so special in spring. Magnolias, rhododendrons and over 80 named varieties of camellias thrive in this historic setting. Drifts of daffodils, crocus and hellebores vie for admiration with tree ferns, exotic tropical planting and ponds. Click for details

Rosevallon Barn, is in a rural setting surrounded by farmland. Converted barn with 3 acres of garden planted by present owners. Small stream and pond fed from spring water, herbaceous borders, shrubs, coppice with snowdrops, bluebells, primroses, fritillary. Vegetables and fruit, wildflower meadow, gravel garden, year-round interest. Click for details

Essex

Blunts Hall has a restored three acre Victorian garden. Courtyard garden and terrace leading down to lawns with re-instated parterre surrounded by herbaceous borders. Orchard with old and new fruit trees and vegetable plot. Listed Ancient Monument. Woodland walk around spring-fed pond. Fernery. Steps lead down to front lawns recently planted with a yew avenue. Snowdrops and aconites in early spring. Specimen trees. Click for details

Kelvedon Hall. A varied six acre garden surrounding a gorgeous C18 house. A blend of formal and informal spaces interspersed with modern sculpture. Pleached hornbeam and yew and box topiary provide structure. A courtyard walled garden juxtaposes a modern walled pool garden, both providing season long displays. Herbaceous borders offset an abundance of roses around the house. Lily covered ponds with a wet garden. Click for details

Cae Newydd, Gwynedd An informal country garden of 2½ acres which blends seamlessly into the open landscape with stunning views of Snowdonia and Llyn Alaw. Variety of shrubs, trees and herbaceous areas, large wildlife pond, polytunnel, greenhouses. Collections of fuchsia, pelargonium, cacti and succulents. An emphasis on gardening for wildlife throughout the garden, lots of seating to enjoy this peaceful space. Click for details

Hampshire

The Cottage, a ¾ acre garden. Colourful in spring with azaleas, camellias, trilliums and erythroniums under old oaks and pines. Herbaceous cottage style borders with unusual plants for year-round interest. Bog garden, ponds, kitchen garden. Bantams, bees and birdsong with over 35 bird species noted. Wildlife areas. Click for details

The Deane House, is a beautiful four acre rural garden, overlooking Woodman vineyard, nestled on a gentle south facing slope, landscaped to draw the eye from one gentle terraced lawn to another with borders merging into the surrounding countryside and vines. Featuring a good selection of specimen trees, a walled garden, prairie planting and herbaceous borders. Millennium avenue of tulip trees. Click for details

Durmast House, designed by Gertrude Jekyll, Durmast has contrasting hot and cool colour borders, formal rose garden edged with lavender and a long herbaceous border. Many old trees, Victorian rockery and orchard with beautiful spring bulbs. Rare azaleas; Fama, Princeps and Gloria Mundi from Ghent. Click for details

Castle Moat House, Herefordshire is a two acre plot consisting of a more formal cottage garden that wraps around the house. The remaining area is a tranquil wild garden with paths to a Medieval Castle Motte, part filled Moat and Medieval Fish and Fowl Ponds. A haven for wildlife and people alike. The garden contains some steep banks and deep water, with limited access to Motte, Moat and Ponds. Click for details

Waterend House, Hertfordshire is a hidden garden of four acres sets off an elegant Jacobean Manor House (not open). Steep grass slopes and fine views of glorious countryside. Large quantities of spring bulbs, formal flint-walled garden. Roses, peonies and irises in the summer. Formal beds and lots of colour throughout the year. Mature specimen trees, ponds, formal vegetable garden and chickens. Click for details

Kent

Fairseat Manor, is a two acre mature garden on top of the North Downs. Extensive spring bulbs with many varieties of snowdrops. Rose and perennial borders, sunken garden with pond, and meadows. All accessible, with one step to sunken pond garden. Click for details

Frith Old Farmhouse, an eclectic collection of plants growing together as if in the wild, developed over nearly 50 yrs. Several hundred interesting (and some very unusual) plants. Trees and shrubs chosen for year-round appeal. Special interest in bulbs and woodland plants. Visitor comments – ‘one of the best we have seen, natural and full of treasures’, ‘a plethora of plants’, ‘inspirational’, ‘a hidden gem’. Click for details

The Old Rectory, Fawkham is 1½ acres with impressive display of long-established naturalised snowdrops and winter aconites; collection of over 130 named snowdrops. Garden developed around the snowdrops over 40 yrs, inc hellebores, pulmonarias and other early bulbs and flowers, with foliage perennials, shrubs and trees, also natural woodland. Click for details

Barracca, Leicestershire a 1 acre garden with lots of different areas, silver birch walk, wildlife pond with seating, apple tree garden, Mediterranean planted area and lawns surrounded with herbaceous plants and shrubs. Patio area with climbing roses and wisteria. There is also a utility garden with greenhouses, vegetables in beds, herbs and perennial flower beds, lawn and fruit cage. Click for details

London

5 Burbage Road. The garden of a member of The Society of Botanical Artists and regular writer for Hortus journal. 150ft x 40ft with large and varied range of plants, many unusual. Herbaceous borders for sun and shade, climbing plants, pots, terraces and lawns. Immaculate topiary. Gravel areas to reduce watering. All the box has been removed because of attack by blight and moth, and replaced with suitable alternatives to give a similar look. Click for details

21 Gospatrick Road. Located in Tower Gardens Arts and Crafts Estate, diverse 40 metre plot with contrasting areas. A large weeping willow provides shade over fan palms, camellias, ferns and climbers. Fruit and herb garden with Japanese banana, grapevine, olive, bay and loquat trees. Greenhouse and two ponds. A very tranquil and welcoming garden following organic principles. Click for details

Ravensford Farm, Durham In 1984 Ravensford Farm was a ruin in a field full of weeds, with one tree. Today it is surrounded by a richly varied garden, a wood, two ponds, orchard, rhododendron dell and extensive flower beds. This is a garden of year-round interest and variety. The focus is on hardy plants that survive in all conditions, and on colour in all seasons. Click for details

67-69 High Street, Northants a ⅓ acre rear garden of C17 cottage (not open). Early spring garden with snowdrops and hellebores, summer and autumn mixed borders, many obelisks and containers, kitchen garden, herb bed, rambling roses and at least 60 different hostas. All giving varied interest from Feb through to Oct. Click for details

Norther Ireland

Cumran House. A mature garden planted with colourful herbaceous plants and shrubs, surrounding a charming house built in 1840. Stunning views of the Mournes enhance the drifts of snowdrops and daffodils at the start of the year followed by Euchryphia displays in August. Click for details

10 Riverside Road, a rambling cottage garden with unusual shrubs, deep borders, spring garden with aconites snowdrops and scillas, rockery and arboretum. Click for details

Bolham Manor, Nottinghamshire. This three acre mature garden provides year-round interest. In February, swathes of snowdrops greet you, followed by daffodils and other spring bulbs. Topiary features and sculptures guide you through the different areas of the garden, with its mixed planted terraces and herbaceous borders, ponds, orchard and wildflower areas. Click for details

Oxfordshire

Bush House, set in eight acres, over 13 years, a two acre garden has emerged. Herbaceous borders partner dual level ponds and stream. The terrace leads to a walled parterre framed by roses and wisteria. The ‘wildflower meadow’ (sown 2021) orchard is screened by rose and vine covered wrought iron trellis. Kitchen gardens, greenhouses and fruit cage provide organically grown produce. Click for details

Chivel Farm, is a beautifully designed country garden with extensive views, designed for continuous interest that is always evolving. Colour schemed borders with many unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Small formal white garden and a conservatory. Click for details

Denton House, a large walled garden surrounds a Georgian mansion (not open) with shaded areas, walks, topiary and many interesting mature trees, large lawns, herbaceous borders and rose beds. The windows in the wall were taken in 1864 from Brasenose College Chapel and Library. Wild garden and a further walled fruit garden. Click for details

South Newington House. A tree lined drive leads to a garden of interest. Herbaceous borders designed for year-round colour. Organic kitchen garden with established beds, rotation and companion planting. Orchard of fruit trees with a pond for wildlife and hydration for the hives. Walled parterre planted for seasonal colour. A family garden, designed to blend seamlessly into the environment; a warm welcome awaits you. Click for details

Plas Dinam, Powys. 12 acres of parkland, gardens, lawns and woodland set at the foot of glorious rolling hills with spectacular views across the Severn Valley. A host of daffodils followed by one of the best wildflower meadows in Montgomeryshire with 36 species of flowers and grasses inc hundreds of wild orchids; Glorious autumn colour with Parrotias, Liriodendrons, Cotinus etc. Millennium wood. Explore the new Remarkable Tree Walk which inc eight champion trees. Click for details

Shropshire

The Old Rectory, Hodnet. Set amidst farmland, 3 ½ acres of gardens, created over 45 years by John and Elizabeth Ravenscroft, surrounding the Grade II listed old rectory. Formal gardens, a walled garden, man-made stream, large pool with stepping stones, lawns and wilder wooded areas. Collections of azaleas, magnolias, peonies. New owners (5 years) are enjoying editing and developing the garden. Click for details

Tower House, a folly built in 1838 with a two acre garden created by the present owner over 50 years. On a perfect site with views over the Corvedale, with veg, herbaceous borders, a small parterre and pond. Click for details

Somerset & Bristol

Barcroft Hall. A lovely 10 acre garden with glorious views over the surrounding countryside. The garden has many features of interest inc formal planting, water and wildlife areas, a kitchen garden and greenhouse, soft fruits and large orchard. Over 1000 trees all set within the extensive lawns and 7 lakes and ponds. Seating areas throughout the gardens and on the beautiful terraces. Click for details

Rowdon, is an old farmhouse surrounded by farmland with beautiful views of the Quantocks beyond. Parts of the garden are still being constructed. There are formal and informal areas herbaceous borders and a walled kitchen garden. The arboretum borders a 5 acre lake with abundant wildlife. There are steps and boggy areas. Click for details

Hamilton House, Staffordshire. A ½ acre north-facing English woodland garden in a tranquil setting, making the most of challenging shade, providing a haven for birds and other wildlife. Large pond with a stone bridge, pergolas, water features, box garden with a variety of roses. Interesting collection of rhododendrons, clematis, hostas, ferns, old English roses and stunning artworks in the garden. Click for details

Shamley Wood Estate, Surrey A relative newcomer, this garden is worth visiting just for the setting! Sitting high on the North Downs, the garden enjoys beautiful views of the South Downs and is approached through a 10 acre deer park. Set within approx 3 acres, there is a large pond and established rose garden. More recent additions inc fire pits, vegetable patch, stream, tropical pergola and terraced wildflower lawn. Click for details

Mitchmere Farm, West Sussex. 1½ acre garden in lovely downland position, with a stream flowing through the garden most yrs when the Winterbourne rises. An orchard and unusual trees and shrubs, providing all yr colour and interest. Big areas of bulbs inc special snowdrops, a wildlife pond, a ‘ruin’ with a mosaic floor, terraces enclosed by yew hedges, and summer colour with roses and clematis. Click for details

South Grange, East Sussex. Hardy Plant Society members’ garden with wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses and pots arranged into a complex garden display for year-round colour and interest. Raised vegetable beds, wildlife pond, orchard, rose arbour, living gazebo. House roof runoff diverted to storage and pond. Small area of wild wood. An emphasis on planting for insects. Click for details

Cowleigh Park Farm, Worcestershire. The 1½ acre garden at Cowleigh Park Farm surrounds a Grade II listed timber framed former farmhouse (not open). Whilst no longer a farm, the property has views to adjacent orchards and inc lawns, spring fed ponds, a waterfall and stream. The focus in established beds and borders is to be wildlife and bee friendly. The garden contains multiple seating areas and a summerhouse. Click for details

For more By Arrangement gardens by county click here

We hope you enjoy your visit