E NJOY walking around a garden – or several – this Fathers' Day weekend. The National Garden Scheme (NGS) Gardens Open for Charity programme is hosting a Festival Weekend of open gardens on Saturday and Sunday (June 15 and 16) with more than 800 private gardens across England and Wales opening to the public. Of those, eight gardens are in our area.
Admission charges to the gardens, which are an average of £4 for adults, go to selected charities and refreshments are available to buy at most openings.
Chauffeur's Flat, Tandridge Lane, Tandridge is open from Saturday to Sunday, June 23 from 10am to 5pm. Enter a one-acre tapestry of secret gardens with magnificent views. Explore the many surprises on this evolving escape from reality. There is an imaginative use of recycled materials and wild and specimen plants reveal an ecological haven.
Chelsfield, Hill Lane, Kingswood, is open on Sunday from 2 to 5.30pm. This half-acre garden has year round interest, with mixed borders, specimen trees, agave and cacti, an orchard, soft fruit, a kitchen garden, greenhouse and propagation area.
Fairmile Lea, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, is open on Sunday from 11am to 2pm. This large Victorian sunken garden features a pond and an old acacia tree stands in the midst of the lawn. Interesting planting on a large mound camouflages an old underground air raid shelter.
Moleshill House, The Fairmile, Cobham, is open on Sunday from 11am to 2pm. In this romantic garden, a short woodland path leads from dovecote to beehives. Informal planting contrasts with formal topiary box and garlanded cisterns and there are fountains and bog garden.
Titsey Place Gardens, Titsy Hill, Oxted, is open on Saturday from 12.30 to 5pm. One of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey, it features 15 acres of formal and informal gardens. See the restored kitchen garden, Golden Jubilee rose garden, Etruscan summer house and lakes and fountains.
Vicarage Cottage, Brockham Green, Betchworth, is open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Curving borders surround an ancient yew tree, with a mix of flowers, shrubs and roses. There is a pond, small wild flower meadow and kitchen garden. The Wind in the Willows is back again – the little houses where the characters live will be set around the pond area.
Walton Poor House, Ranmore Common, Dorking, is open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm. This tranquil, almost secretive, four-acre mostly wooded garden has a pond, hideaway dell and herb garden.
57 Westhall Road, Warlingham, is open on Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 9.30pm. There is a reward for climbing the many steep steps to the three levels. Enjoy swathes of tulips and alliums, mature kiwi and grape vines, mixed borders, vegetable beds, box, bay, cork oak and yew topiaries. An amphitheatre of potted plants is on the lower steps while you can enjoy stunning views of Caterham and Whyteleafe from the top.
For full details visit www.ngs.org.uk or use the free NGS iOS app for iPhone and iPad or buy the 2013 NGS Yellow Book, available from bookstores, garden centres or direct from the NGS (see website).
MEANWHILE, residents in Great and Little Bookham invite us to the villages' Open Gardens Day on Sunday from 10.30am to 5pm.
Open to the public will be 17 private gardens and gardens at two schools, the Grange Centre and St Nicolas' Pastoral Centre and Little Bookham Allotments.
Tickets are £5 in advance, £6 on the day, from the Old Barn Hall, Bookham, and other local outlets. They provide access to all the gardens, all day.
Proceeds go towards the upkeep of the Old Barn Hall where there will be refreshments. Minibus transport will be available around the route.
For more information visit www.bookhamsbulletin.co.uk look for Gardens of Bookham Open Day on Facebook, or call 01372 457598, email tina.hutton@btinternet.com
