THE Friends of Salisbury Cathedral are inviting visitors to their Secret Gardens of the Close event this weekend.

Nine gardens will be open around Salisbury Cathedral Close, showcasing a host of beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees.

These are private gardens, so this is a rare opportunity to step beyond the garden gate, says Friends’ chairman Duncan Glass.

“We are eagerly awaiting the end of May when we hold our flagship event, which is made possible by the generosity of residents of the Cathedral Close who kindly open their beautiful gardens for us,” he said.

“The Friends’ charity is the cathedral’s fan club and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our Secret Gardens of the Close event safe in the knowledge that the money raised from ticket sales will fund important maintenance and preservation work at our wonderful medieval masterpiece.”

Tea and cake will be available in the Bishop’s garden at South Canonry and an exhibition of botanical art will be on show in Sarum College.

The artwork will be for sale, along with cards and the book Secret Gardens of the Close, produced by Salisbury Florilegium Society and featuring its members’ paintings.

The event is on Sunday, May 28, and runs from 1-5pm. Entry is £10 (under-16s free), payable on the day at the tent on Choristers’ Green.