2010 Events

Since 1927, we have raised almost £42 million to support these charities, £25 millionin the last 10 years. We keep overheads low, so most of your donation goes straight to our charities.

The NGS is Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest single donor, donating over £11.6 million and funding 130 Macmillan services, such as nursing posts, financial advice, and counselling, helping thousands of people affected by cancer. Support to Marie Curie Cancer Care funds the Marie Curie Nursing Service, providingfree high quality nursing care giving people with terminal illness the choice of dying at home, supported by their families.

Over 2 million UK carers of working age (that’s 66 per cent) combine work and caring. Our donation allows Crossroads to support working carers. In 2008 the NGS assisted Help the Hospices with funding towards training for nurses and hospice staff, so they can give the best possible care. The NGS keeps up its tradition of funding nursing care through The Queen’s Nursing Institute. Our donation to The Royal Fund for Gardeners’ Children supports orphaned and needy horticulturist’s children. With our support, Perennial – Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society, helps people from the gardening trades who are in need. Our donation to The National Trustsponsors the trainingof the heritage gardeners of the future.

All of this has been made possible by you, visiting NGS gardens. A very big THANK YOU for all your support!

Emma Bridgewater’s flower mugs raise £30,000 for the NGS.

When Emma Bridgewater designed six mugs decorated with spring flowers last year, she decided that the NGS should benefit from their sales too, as there is no organisation that she would rather be working with. Over the years she has taken a huge amount of pleasure from looking round other people’s gardens. She loves the sight of those distinctive yellow posters dotted around the country, which point the way to an easy afternoon looking round anything from a colourful cottage garden to an old-fashioned rectory garden to a busy farmhouse garden.

Somerfoss, Oakhill, Somerset & Bristol

2-acre garden hidden in peaceful valley, distinctly different areas for planting allow for yr-round colour and interest. Natural rocky outcrops with bulbs, shrubs, climbers. Borders and island beds with unusual perennials and grasses. Damp meadow with native orchids. Large decks with pots set off unusual 1970s house (not open)
Open:Weds 14, 21 Apr (2-6). Visitors also welcome by appointment April for groups of 10+, small coaches only

Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet, Somerset & Bristol

Created in 1800s and restored in 1960s by the Showering family, who commissioned Charles Whiteleg to recreate his gold medal winning Chelsea garden. Millpond, boating lake, herbaceous borders and parterre with the most stunning feature being the Grade II listed viaduct built for the Somerset and Dorset railway
Open:Wed 28 Apr (10-4).

Milton Lodge, Wells, Somerset & Bristol

Mature Grade II listed terraced garden with outstanding views of Wells Cathedral and Vale of Avalon. The garden consists of yew hedges, roses, mixed herbaceous and shrub borders, an orchard with a raised collection of ornamental trees. Just across from the entrance to the garden is a 7-acre woodland garden, known locally as the Combe, which has also been restored, with new trees and shrubs planted on the valley floor and on the steep banks either side. The Combe is a natural peaceful contrast to the formal terraced garden of Milton Lodge. Both share the advantages of interesting topography, fine old trees and lovely vistas of the cathedral and surrounding countryside.

Open:Suns 16 May; 6 June; 11 July (2-5).

Wellfield Barn, Wells, Somerset & Bristol

1½-acre gardens, made by owners over the past 13yrs from concrete farmyard. Ha-ha, wonderful views, pond, lawn, mixed borders, formal sunken garden, grass walks and interesting young trees. Structured design integrates house with landscape. New areas under development
Open:Tue 25 May (11-6). Visitors also welcome by appointment , coaches permitted (max 29 seater)

Harptree Court, East Harptree, Somerset & Bristol

Spacious garden designed when the house was built in 1797. Two ponds linked by a romantic waterfall and a stream, flanked by large trees. Lily pond and formal garden. Pleached limes. Walled garden with herbaceous borders, fruit trees and other fruits
Open:Sun 30 May (2-6).

Church Farm House, Binegar, Somerset & Bristol

Atop the Mendips, garden with wow-factor! Green Man's Throne of living willow oversees 2 different walled gardens and prairie patch. Deep borders of perennials in progressive colourist design, many rose varieties. Planting gives colour throughout the season. New gravel garden is creeping across old farmyard - visit while we still have a car park!
Open:Sun 6, Wed 9, Sun 13, Wed 16 June; Suns 18 July; 15 Aug (11-5). Visitors also welcome by appointment June/July/Aug

Ston Easton Park, Ston Easton, Somerset & Bristol

A hidden treasure in the heart of the Mendips. Walk through the historic 30 acres of Repton landscape alongside R Norr to the productive, walled, Victorian kitchen garden. Also visit newly-restored octagonal rose garden, stunning herbaceous border, numerous colourful flowerbeds, fruit cage and orchard
Open:Weds 9 June; 4 Aug (10.30-4).

Spindle Cottage, Nr Wells, Somerset & Bristol

Unique, magical cottage garden with 3 period playhouses: Ruth's Cottage, Gothic; Tom's Lodge, Elizabethan; Charlotte's Post Office, Victorian. Gazebo, jousting tent, hedgehog house, potting shed, wildlife pond, well and more. 2 new projects underway to be revealed! Productive organic vegetable garden. Listen to the live light background music while you sit and enjoy your cream tea
Open:Sun 20 June (2-5.30). Visitors also welcome by appointment incl large groups

Sole Retreat, West Horrington, nr Wells, Somerset & Bristol