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LinkedinLiz Nicholls invites you to visit a garden near you, as part of another record-breaking fundraising year thanks to the National Garden Scheme (NGS).
This spring, gardens big and small will open their gates, inviting visitors like you to wander among blooms and find moments of calm. The NGS fundraiser reached a record £3.8 million total last year, in its most successful year yet, supporting nursing and health charities.
With 3,000 gardens across the UK opening this year – including 500 newbies. Could you help make 2026 yet another charity record-breaker?
A creative escape at Bolters Farm
Bolters Farm in Chilson, near Chipping Norton, will welcome visitors on 3rd & 4th May, along with Kings Cottage, and by arrangement between now and September.
Amanda Cooper, artist and garden owner with her husband Robert, tells us: “We’ve taken part for over ten years and were very pleased to be awarded the special NGS ‘trowel’ last summer! The experience has been nothing but positive. We’ve had one-off visits from the Netherlands and the USA. One fascinating scientist visiting us last summer wished to examine the fig tree to see if a particular tiny white mite had migrated further north… and it had!
“Over the bank holiday, we might expect something like 200 visitors plus privately organised small outings for local clubs and a large party from Germany. Garden visitors are a breed of their own; thoughtful, caring, gentle folk who enjoy the beauty and peace of this area. One couple spent the whole afternoon asleep on a bench in the sun last year!
“Our garden this year features a new little Wendy house that we got for our grandchildren. I’m forever looking to improve the garden’s planting and structure… What I love is how it evolves, as if it has a mind of its own, which it does!
“All our neighbours make the cakes with particular reference to one lady whose husband has Parkinson’s. The NGS gave £450,000 last year to help people with Parkinson’s, so she feels she’s giving back in that way. Another one of my cake makers is 96 this year.”
Community spirit in Abingdon
Becky, Liz and Paul Aylward will again open their gardens at both 116 and 118 Oxford Road in Abingdon on 31st May, and by arrangement between June and July.
Liz says: “We’ve had great pleasure in sharing our garden with people for the NGS since 2012. We were nervous at first, but we’ve made many friends and met so many interesting people. The range is endless, from younger couples with their first home looking for ideas to gardeners more experienced than we’ll ever be!
“We also host gardening clubs and other associations. The most unusual group were from the USA. They arrived by coach and it was a joy to serve them tea in lovely old bone china cups and traditional cakes, many of which they hadn’t tried before. Many visitors return to us because they enjoy it, to see what we’ve changed, and most visitors have tea and buy a few plants – all in aid of charity.
“Our team on the day are key to our success and we couldn’t manage without their input. These are quite small gardens compared with some but they are packed with amazing plants and shrubs, also quirky features made mostly of recycled bits and bobs and unusual planters using things many people throw out.”
Historic gardens in Oxford
Trinity College, Oxford, has been taking part in the scheme for several decades. Its previous head gardener, Paul Lawrence, was due to be recognised by the NGS for his outstanding contribution but sadly he died in 2020. The garden team, now led by Kate Burtonwood, will welcome visitors again on 2nd August.
Kate tells us: “In the last few years, we’ve had visitors from Argentina and New Zealand. They are particularly captivated by the history of the garden – there has been a garden on this site since 1290! This year our new garden areas will hit their stride after six years of intensive work.
“The college management have really listened to messages about sustainability and biodiversity. Our garden now has a less manicured look and very long-flowering seasons to support pollinators through the year. Cream teas will be on sale in the historic Dining Hall for that extra ‘Oxford’ experience. Lincoln College, which is about 100 yards away on Turl Street is also open at the same time.”
A pocket-friendly day out for all
NGS Chief Executive Dr Richard Claxton adds: “Spring and summer are a wonderful time to explore, and children often go free, so it’s a very pocket-friendly outing for the whole family.”
Plan your visit
Please visit ngs.org.uk to plan your visits.
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