Liz 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 across Bucks and beyond will open their gates, inviting visitors just like you to wander among blooms, breathe in the scents of herbs and flowers 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 nationwide. With 3,000 gardens across the UK opening this year – including 500 newbies. Could you help make 2026 yet another charity record-breaker?
A Beaconsfield garden with heart
Bernadette and John Thompson have been welcoming visitors to their curvaceous Barbara Hunt-designed garden in Beaconsfield for more than 20 years with the NGS.
“Although our garden isn’t huge, we attract plant-lovers who spend at least an hour looking round, chatting to other visitors and us,” Bernadette tells me. “It’s a joy to share tea and cake and watch people enjoy the space we love so much.”
The couple say that opening their garden for visitors is as much about community as it is about flowers.
“We’ve welcomed groups from as far afield as France and Switzerland as well as the UK,” adds Bernadette.
Their garden in Brownswood Road opens by arrangement between now and the middle of September for groups of up to 15 people; adults £4pp, children free.
Please email tbernadette60@gmail.com for info.
Must-visit gardens across Bucks
Other Bucks gems include Overstroud Cottage, an artistic chalk garden on two levels overlooking Great Missenden. With a collection spanning 17th- and 18th-century plants, auriculas, hellebores, peonies, rambling roses, and a lily pond, it offers both history and horticultural delight.
Visitors can attend an open afternoon, 2–5pm on Easter Sunday, 5th April, with cream teas at the parish church; £4.50pp, children free.
Bledlow Manor, near Princes Risborough, includes 12 acres of sculpted gardens, water features, and walled kitchen gardens; it will welcome visitors 2–5pm on 19th July, with tea, coffee, and cake available.
Copperkins Lane in Chesham Bois also offers a beautiful local retreat, with bespoke visits for groups throughout the season.
A record-breaking impact for health charities
“It’s extraordinary to see so many gardens welcoming visitors, and the generosity of our garden owners and volunteers continues to amaze me,” says NGS Chief Executive Dr Richard Claxton who has created gardens for hospitals and hospices.
“Each cup of tea served, each garden opened makes a tangible difference to health and care charities across the UK. “I’ve always been passionate about the effect gardens and gardening can have on wellbeing.
“Gardening and spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood. Programmes such as the NGS not only raise vital funds but also promote wellbeing for visitors and volunteers alike. What’s more, spring and summer are a wonderful time to explore, and children can often go free, so it’s a very pocket-friendly outing for the whole family to enjoy.”
More than just a garden visit
Opening a garden is about more than just fundraising. For many owners, it’s a reason to maintain their plots to perfection, try new planting ideas, and connect with fellow horticulturists.
In Beaconsfield, John and Bernadette are happy to report that the rhythm of preparing for NGS visitors ensures that their garden remains vibrant and cared for all year.
The healing power of green spaces
Across the UK, NGS gardens range from tiny urban plots to sprawling country estates. Each garden has its own character, whether it’s a cottage garden full of traditional charm, a chalk garden of rare botanical specimens, or a sculpture-filled landscape. And with by-arrangement visits, even smaller or private gardens can share their beauty with visitors.
Plan your visit
So this year, make time to explore Buckinghamshire’s best blooms and perhaps discover the therapeutic magic of gardens. Whether you’re an avid gardener or a first-time visitor, the NGS, which celebrates its centenary in 2027, opens doors – and hearts – across the county.
With tea, cake, and the chance to support local nursing and health charities, a visit is both a treat and a contribution.
For full listings, ticket info, and garden opening details, please visit ngs.org.uk.
