Residents across The Vale are opening their back gates to allow visitors to ramble through their private garden and admire the fruits of their green fingers. It’s part of the nationwide summer trend, with over 200 visitor gardens linked via the National Trust across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, open once more for the public to enjoy. However, in our green and luscious vale, many villagers are actively coordinating their garden opening with more personalised tea parties that you’ll love to be a part of…
• Alhampton Open Gardens 1-5pm, Sunday, 22 May. Ten gardens range from formal to blousy, topiaried to wild, lush planting: all waiting to welcome you.
• Hidden Gardens of Castle Cary 3 June, 2-6pm, £10. Take a stroll through this lovely market town, visiting 15 privately owned gardens. Collect a map and garden details from the Market House from 1pm onwards. Tea will be served at the Market House all afternoon. www.caryfordhall.co.uk
• Mere Gardening Club are running 17 Hidden Gardens of Mere in conjunction with the Friends of St Michaels Church Mere, from 11am-5pm on 11 and 12 June. Entry is by programme, £6 per adult and accompanied children go free. Refreshments will be available at the Grove Building in Mere and en route. Programmes will be on sale from Friday, 27 May outside Mere Post Office, on 4 June at the Mere Gardening Club stall in the Jubilee celebrations street market, and outside the Clock Tower on the day. All proceeds will be split between the Garden Club, Friends of St Michaels, and donations to local groups. Contact 07991 559674 for further details or a programme.
• Zeals have 15 gardens open June 18-19 weekend, 12 noon-5pm, to raise money for St Martin’s Church and the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. Artwork and classic cars will be on display, with cream teas and a free children’s fun trail. Entry is £5.
• Poyntington Open Gardens & Plant Sale at The Manor House Garden, plus five further gardens, in aid of Dorset & Somerset
Air Ambulance and All Saints Village Church. Sunday, 3 July, 2-5.30pm. Tickets £5 (cash only). Sorry, no dogs and restricted wheelchair access.
For more information or advance booking, visit
www.opengardens.co.uk, which has a postcode locator to help you find your nearest hidden garden.