Glory of the gardens

Banish the winter blues, grab your hat and coat and visit a garden for a
 bit of horticultural inspiration and a warm welcome from the 
owners – perhaps even a cup of tea and a bun.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Mar 2013, 13:14 BST
Gardens at Terrington House, YorkGardens at Terrington House, York
Gardens at Terrington House, York

Yes, it’s the start of the open season, when private gardens throughout the country open their gates to raise millions of pounds for a host of charities.

It begins with a trickle as one or two gardens brave the butt end of winter. Snowdrops and early spring bulbs are the mainstays at this time of year, but as April approaches and Nature begins to get into her stride, weekends become packed with the chance to visit gardens great and small.

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In Yorkshire, there are more than 100 gardens opening this year, and all are listed in a free booklet which gives details of opening times, what to see, where to go and how much it will cost.

Many gardens will open on a day especially for the National Gardens Scheme; others, such as Stonehaven, in Harrogate, and the wonderful Japanese-inspired garden at Lower Heugh Cottage, near Skipton, can be visited only by prior arrangement.

Last year, owners in Yorkshire raised £127,000 for nursing and caring charities. This year, they obviously want to raise even more – which is as good a reason as any to get visiting.

Old favourites such as Terrington House, with its exquisite shell house and year-round plant interest, are joined by several new gardens.

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Why not visit enthusiastic plant collectors at Hallam Grange Croft, near Sheffield, who have packed a relatively small place with plants and fascinating features, or take a trip to 6 Fulwith Avenue, in Harrogate, a town garden hidden from view but filled with eye-catching ideas.

And over in Nidderdale, the inspirational young garden at Cow Close Cottage epitomises the very best of a small English country garden.

Yorkshire Gardens 2013 is available at many nurseries, garden centres, Tourist Information Centres and by post from Biddy Marshall, The Old Vicarage, Whixley, YO26 8AR (enclose an A5 – C5 – SAE) or visit www.ngs.org.uk for opening dates and times.

For listings of gardens open throughout the England and Wales, the NGS’s famous Yellow Book has details of 3,850 opening in 2013. It’s available in bookshops and online for £9.99 (postage and packing free) at www.ngs.org.uk

Related topics:YorkshireHarrogateNature