Need some budget-friendly ideas for fun & fresh air? Kate Harrison invites us to visit some summertime beauties, including Whitehanger in Haslemere, thanks to the National Garden Scheme
Visiting a National Garden Scheme garden isn’t just for adults – there’s plenty of fun (and homemade cake) to be had this summer at our gardens for children too. And, with children going free at the majority of our gardens, a day out at a National Garden Scheme garden is a great way to have a budget-friendly break from digital devices, reconnect with nature and support great causes.
Whitehanger in Haslemere, GU27 3PY, is opening its stunning gardens 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 18th August, in support of NGS charities. Set in six acres on the edge of the South Downs National Park surrounded by NT woodland, this rural garden was started in 2012 when a new Huf house (not open) was built on a derelict site. Now there are lawned areas with beds of perennials, a serenity pool with Koi carp, a wildflower meadow, a Japanese garden, a sculpture garden, a woodland walk, a large rockery and an exotic walled garden.
Admission £6.50, children £6.50. Pre-booking essential, please visit National Garden Scheme for information & booking. Visits also by arrangement until 9th Sept for groups of 8 to 35. Final numbers must be given a week before visiting & payment made by BACS.
4 Hillside Cottages in West Stoke PO18 9BL, will open 11am-4pm on Sunday, 18th August. This stunning garden full of energy, and delight in a beautiful rural setting is set against the rolling hills is a riot of colour and scent. The densely planted and immaculate borders are filled with a large collection of shrubs, roses, clematis, fuchsias and dahlias. Yet more roses and clematis climb up every wall, fence and trellis. There is a tidy and well stocked vegetable garden which overlooks the countryside, lush green lawns and a terrace to sit and enjoy a drink and a piece of cake.
Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas in aid of local hospice. Book online or pay on the day. Visits also by arrangement until 18th August. Visit National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) for more details and booking.
The Folly in Charlton, PO18 0HU, will open 2-4.30pm on Sunday, 25th August and by arrangement. This colourful cottage garden surrounds a C16 period house (not open), set in the pretty downland village of Charlton, close to Levin Down Nature Reserve. The herbaceous borders are well-stocked with a wide range of perennials, grasses, annuals and shrubs to provide long season of colour and interest. There are places to sit and take in the garden and views with a cup of tea or coffee and home-made cake, an art studio open to visitors, winding grass pathways and a wealth of wildlife. Partial wheelchair access with steps from patio. Visitors with mobility issues can be dropped off at the gate.
Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas. Book online on the NGS website or pay on the day. Visit National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) for more details.
The Old Vicarage in Washington will welcome you every Thursday in August and 10am-5pm on Monday, 26th August, pre-booking essential. As well as the stunning views looking towards the North Downs, enhanced by mature and various specimen trees, the garden has many pockets of interest. There is a Japanese garden with its waterfall, pond, bamboo and grasses, a further large water garden and numerous creatively planted herbaceous borders. A working kitchen garden has glasshouses, fruit cages, orchard and vegetables. The Italianate gazebo with green oak columns and lead roof offers a wonderfully comfortable place to sit and contemplate the beauty of this garden. The treehouse is much loved by young and old alike, from here the nature viewing platform opens on to the woodland copse area which incorporates a stream and architectural stumpery. Everyone loves the topiary of characters who watch over the tennis court.
Entry £7pp children free. Book at National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk). Self service light refreshments (cash only) and picnics welcome.
Fittleworth House in Pulborough will open 2-5pm on Wednesday, 7th August. This is a three-acre tranquil, romantic, country garden with walled kitchen garden growing a wide range of fruit, vegetables and flowers including a large collection of dahlias. There’s a large glasshouse and old potting shed, mixed flower borders, roses, rhododendrons and lawns, a magnificent 115ft tall cedar overlooks wisteria covered Grade II listed Georgian house (not open), wild garden, long grass areas and stream.
Adults £5, children free. Book at National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) or pay on the day. Home-made teas.
Champs Hill in Pulborough will open 2-5pm on Sunday, 11th August. A natural landscape, the garden has been developed around three disused sand quarries with far-reaching views across the Amberley Wildbrooks to the South Downs. A woodland walk in spring leads you past beautiful sculptures, against a backdrop of colourful rhododendrons and azaleas. In summer the garden is a colourful tapestry of heathers, which are renowned for their abundance and variety.
Adults £5, children free. Book online at National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) or pay on the day. Home-made teas.
