In May, as spring reaches its peak, there’s a wide range of gardens open in Leicestershire throughout the month…
One acre family garden featuring woodland, lawns, greenhouse, pond, fire pit, sculptures and the owners’ impulse plant purchases. Three trees were felled in 2024 and there is a race to rejuvenate this area to incorporate a new vegetable patch and fruit cage before the garden opens. Witness the battle with dry shade and perennial weeds and find out if the vegetable patch is ready for action. Opens Sunday 4th May.
Entering from the field, rhododendrons under a great oak welcome you to Lovers’ Walk, drawing you past feathery acers to the main lawn, where to the scent of azalea you take in a treescape of scale. Pendent limes, pines, birches and cedars feature, above them all a great copper beech. Move on to the mixed borders where roses, cistus and iris will delight you among the dozens of species planted. Opens Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May.
Redesigned in 2000 by the owner based on C18 plans. A chain of five lakes (covering 10 acres) and several ironstone walled gardens all interconnected. Lakeside woodland walk. Planting for year-round interest. Landscaper trained under plantswoman Rosemary Verey at Barnsley House. Beautiful C13th church open. Opens on Saturday 17th May.
A small SSW garden with water features to add interest to the colourful and some unusual perennials inc climbers to supplement the trees and shrubs in May and July. Garden established and recently re-established by current owner to provide seating for a variety of views of the garden. Many perennials in the garden are represented in the plants for sale. Opens Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May.
Organically managed small walled cottage garden with year-round interest. Rare and unusual plants, many grown from seed. Formal box parterre, courtyard garden, alpines, herbaceous borders, woodland areas with unusual ferns, small wildlife pond, greenhouse, vegetables, fruit and herbs. Collection of Snowdrops. Recycled materials used to make quirky garden ornaments and water feature. Opens Saturday 24th and Monday 26th May.
Westbrooke House is a late Victorian property built in 1887. The gardens comprise 6 acres in total and are approached through a tree lined driveway of mature limes and giant redwoods. Key features are walled flower garden, walled kitchen garden, fernery, lower garden, wildlife pond, spring garden, lawns, woodland paths and a meadow with a wildflower area, ha-ha and hornbeam avenue. Opens Sunday 25th May.
A modern, contemporary formal garden of approx ¼ acre that rises gently up a shallow slope. Large overflowing borders filled with a variety of bird, bee and butterfly friendly planting, surround formal lawns, topiary, hedging and shady retreats including a small woodland and a summerhouse. There are collections of roses, salvias, agapanthus and a wide variety of year-round bulbs. Opens Monday 26th May.
£500,000
£450,000
£450,000
£450,000
£350,000
£350,000
£122,227
£90,000
£80,000
£25,000
£302,000
£232,000
