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Public gardens

These gardens make a donation to the National Garden Scheme each year instead of holding an open day.  Please check with the individual gardens for up to date opening times and how to visit.

Englefield House Garden - Berkshire

The 12 acre garden descends dramatically from the hill above the historic house through woodland where mature native trees mix with rhododendrons and camellias. Drifts of spring and summer planting are followed by striking autumn colour. Stone balustrades enclose the lower terrace with lawns, roses and mixed borders. A stream meanders through the woodland.

Rode Hall - Cheshire

Nesfield’s terrace and rose garden with stunning view over Humphry Repton’s landscape is a feature of Rode, as is the woodland garden with terraced rock garden and grotto. Other attractions inc the walk to the lake with a view of Birthday Island complete with heronry, restored ice house, working 2 acre walled kitchen garden and Italian garden.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan - Cornwall

Lose yourself in the mysterious world of The Lost Gardens where an exotic sub-tropical jungle, atmospheric Victorian pleasure grounds, an interactive wildlife project and the finest productive gardens in Britain all await your discovery.

Potager Garden - Cornwall

Potager has emerged from the bramble choked wilderness of an abandoned plant nursery. With mature trees which were once nursery stock and lush herbaceous planting interspersed with fruit and vegetables Potager Garden aims to demonstrate the beauty of productive organic gardening. There are games to play, hammocks to laze in and boules and badminton to enjoy.

St Michael's Mount - Cornwall

Infuse your senses with colour and scent in the unique sub-tropical gardens basking in the mild climate and salty breeze. Clinging to granite slopes the terraced beds tier steeply to the ocean’s edge, boasting tender exotics from places such as Mexico, the Canary Islands and South Africa.

Blackpool Gardens - Devon

Carefully restored C19 subtropical plantsman’s garden with collection of mature and newly planted tender and unusual trees, shrubs and carpet of spring flowers. Paths and steps lead gradually uphill and above the Captain’s Seat offering fine coastal views. Recent plantings follow the southern hemisphere theme with callistemons, pittosporums, acacias and buddlejas.

Burrow Farm Gardens - Devon

This beautiful 13 acre garden has unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Traditional summerhouse looks towards lake and ancient oak woodland with rhododendrons and azaleas. Early spring interest and superb autumn colour. The more formal Millennium garden features a rill. Anniversary garden featuring late summer perennials and grasses. Winner of the Nations Favourite Garden 2021.

Lukesland - Devon

25 acres of flowering shrubs, wild flowers and rare trees with pinetum in Dartmoor National Park. Beautiful setting of small valley around Addicombe Brook with lakes, numerous waterfalls and pools. Extensive and impressive collections of camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and acers; also spectacular Magnolia campbellii and huge Davidia involucrata. Superb spring and autumn colour.

Plant World - Devon

The four acres of landscape gardens with fabulous views have been called Devon’s ‘Little Outdoor Eden’. Representing five continents, they offer an extensive collection of rare and exotic plants from around the world. Superb mature cottage garden and Mediterranean garden will delight the visitor. Attractive viewpoint café, picnic area and shop.

Abbotsbury Gardens - Dorset

30 acres, started in 1760 and considerably extended in C19. Much recent replanting. The maritime microclimate enables this Mediterranean and southern hemisphere garden to grow rare and tender plants. National Collection of Hoherias (flowering Aug in NZ garden). Woodland valley with ponds, stream and hillside walk to view the Jurassic Coast. Open all year except for Christmas week.

Athelhampton House & Gardens - Dorset

The gardens date from 1891 and inc the Great Court with 12 giant yew topiary pyramids overlooked by two terraced pavilions. This glorious Grade I architectural garden is full of vistas and surprises with spectacular fountains and the River Piddle flowing through it.

Kingston Lacy - Dorset

35 acres of formal garden, incorporating parterre and sunk garden planted with Edwardian schemes during spring and summer. 5 acre kitchen garden and allotments. Victorian fernery containing over 35 varieties. Rose garden, mixed herbaceous borders, vast formal lawns and Japanese garden restored to Henrietta Bankes’ creation of 1910.

Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park - Dorset

Stepping into the grounds you will be greeted with 35 impressive acres of formal gardens. During the late spring and summer months, our National Collection of penstemons and salvias display a lustrous rainbow of purples, pinks, blues and whites, leading you on through the ample hedges and stonework balustrades. An added treat is the Elizabethan walled garden, offering a new vision of enchantment.

Mapperton Gardens - Dorset

Terraced valley gardens surrounding Tudor/Jacobean manor house. On upper levels, walled croquet lawn, orangery and Italianate formal garden with fountains, topiary and grottoes. Below, C17 summerhouse and fishponds. Lower garden with shrubs and rare trees, leading to woodland and spring gardens.

Minterne Garden - Dorset

As seen on BBC Gardeners’ World and voted one of the 10 prettiest gardens in England by The Times. Famed for their display of historic rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese cherries and magnolias in April/May when the garden is at its peak. Small lakes, streams and cascades offer new vistas at each turn around the 1m horseshoe shaped gardens covering 23 acres. The season ends with spectacular autumn colour.

Museum of East Dorset - Dorset

Tranquil walled garden tucked away in the centre of Wimborne. Colourful herbaceous borders and heritage orchard trees line the path which stretches 100m down to the mill stream.

Sherborne Castle - Dorset

40+ acres. Grade I Capability Brown garden with magnificent vistas across surrounding landscape, inc lake and views to ruined castle. Herbaceous planting, notable trees, mixed ornamental planting and managed wilderness are linked together with lawn and pathways. Short and long walks available.

The Walled Garden - Dorset

The Walled Garden is a beautiful 5 acre landscaped formal garden situated in Moreton, Dorset. The village is close to the historic market town of Dorchester and situated on the River Frome. A wide variety of perennial plants sit in the borders, which have been styled in original Georgian and Victorian designs.

Wimborne Model Town & Gardens - Dorset

Attractive garden surrounding intriguing model town buildings, inc original 1950s miniature buildings of Wimborne. Herbaceous borders, rockery, perennials, shrubs and rare trees. Miniature river system inc bog garden and other water features. Sensory area inc vegetable garden, grasses, a seasonally fragrant and colourful border, wind and water features. Plentiful seating.

Macpennys Woodland Garden & Nurseries - Hampshire

4 acre woodland garden originating from worked out gravel pits in the 1950s, offering interest year-round, but particularly in spring and autumn. Attached to a large nursery that offers for sale a wide selection of homegrown trees, shrubs, conifers, perennials, hedging plants, fruit trees and bushes.

Patrick's Patch - Hampshire

Model kitchen garden with a full range of vegetables, trained top and soft fruit and herbs. Salads in succession used as an educational project for all ages. Maintained by volunteers, primary school children and a head gardener. We run a series of fun educational gardening sessions for children as well as informal workshops for adults. Open daily by donation from dawn to dusk.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens - Hampshire

Established by the plantsman Sir Harold Hillier, this 180 acre garden holds a unique collection of 12,000 different hardy plants from across the world. It inc the famous Winter Garden, Magnolia Avenue, Centenary Border, Himalayan Valley, Gurkha Memorial Garden, Magnolia Avenue, spring woodlands, Hydrangea Walk, fabulous autumn colour, 14 National Collections and over 600 champion trees.

Spencer House - London

Originally designed in the C18 by Henry Holland (son-in-law to Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown), the garden was among the grandest in the West End. Restored since 1990 under the Chairmanship of Lord Rothschild, the garden with a delightful view of the adjacent Royal Park, now evokes its original layout with planting suggested by early C19 nursery lists.

Houghton Hall Walled Garden - Norfolk

The award-winning, 5 acre walled garden, beautifully divided into different areas designed by the Bannermans, inc a kitchen garden with espalier fruit trees. Glasshouses, a mediterranean garden, rose parterre, wisteria pergola and a spectacular double-sided herbaceous border. Many antique statues, fountains and contemporary sculptures.

Sandringham Gardens - Norfolk

Set in 25 hectares (60 acres) and enjoyed by the British Royal Family and their guests when in residence, the more formal gardens are open from April – October. The grounds have been developed in turn by each Monarch since 1863 when King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra purchased the Estate.

NGS Buzzing Garden - Northumberland

A unique collaboration between the National Garden Scheme North East, Trädgårdsresan, Region Västra Götaland and Gateshead Council. It was funded by sponsorship and is a tribute to the importance of international friendship. The Swedish design reflects the landscape of West Sweden, with coast, meadow and woodland areas. Many of the plant species grow wild in Sweden, providing a welcoming vision for visitors and a feast for pollinators. Planted in 2019 the garden is maturing. Visitors can make a donation to the NGS.

Charleston - Sussex

The Bloomsbury artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant moved to Charleston in 1916. They transformed the walled vegetable plot into a quintessential painters’ garden mixing Mediterranean influences with cottage garden planting. The garden is full of surprises inc a variety of sculpture, from classical forms to works by Quentin Bell, mosaics and tiled pools, an orchard and tranquil pond.

Great Dixter House, Gardens & Nurseries - Sussex

Designed by Edwin Lutyens and Nathaniel Lloyd. Christopher Lloyd made the garden one of the most experimental and constantly changing gardens of our time, a tradition now being carried on by Fergus Garrett. Clipped topiary, wildflower meadows, the famous long border, pot displays, exotic garden and more. Spring bulb displays are of particular note.

Arundel Castle & Gardens - Sussex

Ancient castle, family home of the Duke of Norfolk. 40 acres of grounds and gardens which inc hot subtropical borders, English herbaceous borders, stumpery, wildflower garden, two glasshouses with exotic fruit and vegetables, walled flower and organic kitchen gardens. C14 Fitzalan Chapel white garden.

Bowood Woodland Gardens - Wiltshire

This 30 acre woodland garden of azaleas, magnolias, rhododendrons and bluebells is one of the most exciting of its type in the country. From the individual flowers to the breathtaking sweep of colour, this is a garden not to be missed. With two miles of meandering paths, you will find hidden treasures at every corner. The Woodland Gardens are 2m from Bowood House and Garden.

Riverside Gardens at Webbs - Worcestershire

2½ acres. Themed gardens inc colour spectrum, tropical and dry garden, rose garden, vegetable garden, National Collection of Harvington Hellebores, seaside garden, bamboozeleum and self-sufficient garden. The New Wave garden is a natural wildlife area and inc seasonal interest with grasses and perennials. *New in 2022* Extended pathways and a new woodland walk.

Stone House Cottage Gardens - Worcestershire

A beautiful and romantic walled garden adorned with unusual brick follies. This acclaimed garden is exuberantly planted and holds one of the largest collections of rare plants in the country. It acts as a shop window for the adjoining nursery. Open Thursday to Sat mid April to late August 10-5.

Newby Hall & Gardens - Yorkshire

40 acres of extensive gardens and woodland laid out in 1920s. Full of rare and beautiful plants. Formal seasonal gardens and stunning double herbaceous borders slope down to River Ure. National Collection of cornus. Newly refurbished rock garden. Miniature railway and adventure gardens for children.

York Gate - Yorkshire

An internationally acclaimed 1 acre jewel of a garden with 14 individual garden ‘rooms’. Many unusual plants and architectural topiary. Recent extension to the garden with new facilities inc a new cafe and gift shop as well as exciting new gardens, plant nursery and heritage exhibition. Owned by Perennial, the charity that looks after horticulturists and their families in times of need.

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Our donations in 2024

Donor 1
Donor 2 £500,000
Donor 3 £450,000
Donor 4 £450,000
Donor 5 £450,000
Donor 6 £350,000
Donor 7 £350,000
Donor 8
Donor 9 £122,227
Donor 10 £90,000
Donor 11 £80,000
Donor 12 £302,000
Donor 13 £232,000