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Gardens Open to the Public - 2011

Most of the gardens listed here are part of the National Gardens Scheme a charity started in 1927 to enable people to visit selected private gardens with the proceeds going to charity. The information on this page has been reproduced from The National Gardens Scheme Yellow Book and full details of the scheme can be found on their web site.

The British Red Cross is appealing for new gardens to join its Open Gardens scheme to raise money for this worthwhile cause - details.

More information on these gardens can be obtained from the NGS web site. Just enter the name of the garden and click search.

Abbey Cottage, Itchen Abbas, Hampshire Abbey Cottage, Itchen Abbas, Hampshire
This 1½-acre organic garden, on alkaline soil, is a fine garden by any standards. Inside the C18 walls of an old kitchen garden there are enclosures, on different levels, which together create an inspirational garden. The adjoining meadow contains specimen trees, an orchard, spring bulbs, summer wild flowers and a plantation of native trees

Open: Mon 5, Sun 11, Sun 29 Apr, Mon 30 Aug (12-5)

Beechenwood Farm, Odiham, Hampshire Beechenwood Farm, Odiham, Hampshire
2-acre garden in many parts. Lawn meandering through woodland with drifts of crocus, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and bluebells. Rose pergola with steps, pots with spring bulbs and later aeoniums. Fritillary and cowslip meadow. Walled herb garden with pool and exuberant planting incl alliums and angelica. Orchard incl white garden and hot border. Large greenhouse and vegetable garden. Rock garden extending to grasses, ferns and bamboos. Shady walk to belvedere with views over farmland. 8-acre copse of native species with grassed rides Open: Every Wed 31 Mar to 2 June incl (2-5). Visitors also welcome by appointment Apr & May only, no coaches. Small groups and individuals welcome

Bere Mill, Whitchurch, Hampshire Bere Mill, Whitchurch, Hampshire Garden
created since 1993 around the 1712 mill (not open) where Portals first made bank notepaper. Set by the R Test and carrier streams, a large lozenge-shaped site, loosely fashioned on a Japanese stroll garden. Herbaceous and Mediterranean beds; replanted walled orchard and vegetable garden; wisteria garden and lake with Japanese tea-house. Extensively planted with bulbs; irises a speciality. Modern sculpture

Open: Sun 21` Mar, Sun 30, Mon 31 May (1.30-5.30)

Berry Cottage, Farringdon, nr Alton, Hampshire Berry Cottage, Farringdon, nr Alton, Hampshire
Small organic cottage garden with all-yr interest. Spring bulbs, roses, clematis and herbaceous borders. Pond and bog garden. Shrubbery and small kitchen garden

Open: Suns 2,30 May; 20 June; 11 July; 8 Aug; 5 Sept (2.30-6)

Blackdown House, Upham, Hampshire Blackdown House, Upham, Hampshire
A family garden in the making. 2009 will be the 2nd year of the 100m long, colourful herbaceous border set against a flint wall. There is a 12yr-old wild flower meadow to meander through, a part-walled kitchen garden, orchard and family garden. In all, the garden covers approx 5 acres. Jacob sheep and alpacas in the parkland

Open: Sun 6, Thurs 10 June (2-6)

Bramdean House, Bramdean, Hampshire Bramdean House, Bramdean, Hampshire
Traditional 6-acre garden on chalk, famous for mirror-image herbaceous borders. Carpets of bulbs, especially snowdrops, in the spring. Very many unusual plants incl collection of old-fashioned sweet peas. 1-acre kitchen garden featuring prizewinning vegetables, fruit and flowers

Open: Suns 14 Feb; 14 Mar; 11 Apr; 13 June; 11 July; 8 Aug; 12 Sept (2-5). 20 Feb 2011

Brandy Mount House, Alresford, Hampshire Brandy Mount House, Alresford, Hampshire
1-acre, informal plantsman's garden. Spring bulbs, hellebores, species geraniums. National Collections of snowdrops and daphnes. European primulas, expanding collection of dwarf narcissi, herbaceous and woodland plants. 2 new raised beds to display early spring bulbs. New small collections of ferns in the shady part of the garden

Open: Sat 6 Feb (11-4)

Central Winchester Gardens, 4 & 10, Compton Road, St. Cross, Winchester, Hampshire Central Winchester Gardens, 4 & 10, Compton Road, St. Cross, Winchester, Hampshire
Enjoy two complementary gardens in central Winchester. Re-formed over 6yrs, the garden at No.4 Compton Road (featured in The English Garden) is a peaceful city haven, intensively planted with rare trees, unusual climbers and shrubs. Emphasis is on colour and shape of foliage and sculptured form with subtle colour blending. The concept was to 'paint' an all-yr plant picture which is in constant view from large landscape windows in the contemporary extension to the house. A plant list of less familiar plants will be available. The walled city garden at No.10 features a manicured lawn framed by an ancient Atlantic cedar and is perfumed by roses, lavender, jasmine and nemesia. A series of raised beds lead to a Mediterranean courtyard decorated with ornamental iron work and planted with mature olive and fig trees with original contemporary underplanting

Open: Sat 2, Sun 3 July (2-5).

Enjoy two complementary gardens in central Winchester. Re-formed over 6yrs, the garden at No.4 Compton Road (featured in The English Garden) is a peaceful city haven, intensively planted with rare trees, unusual climbers and shrubs. Emphasis is on colour and shape of foliage and sculptured form with subtle colour blending. The concept was to 'paint' an all-yr plant picture which is in constant view from large landscape windows in the contemporary extension to the house. A plant list of less familiar plants will be available. The walled city garden at No.10 features a manicured lawn framed by an ancient Atlantic cedar and is perfumed by roses, lavender, jasmine and nemesia. A series of raised beds lead to a Mediterranean courtyard decorated with ornamental iron work and planted with mature olive and fig trees with original contemporary underplanting.

Open: Sat 2, Sun 3 July (2-5).

12 Christchurch Road, Central Winchester, Hampshire 12 Christchurch Road, Central Winchester, Hampshire
Small town garden with strong design enhanced by exuberant planting and all-yr interest. Winter-flowering shrubs, bulbs and hellebores. 2 water features incl slate-edged rill bordered by climbers. Small front garden designed to be viewed from the house

Open: Sun 28 Feb (11-4), Fri 17 Sep (6-8 evening), Sun 19 Sep (11.30-5.00) Litton Lodge

Colemore House Gardens, Colemore, Alton, Hampshire Colemore House Gardens, Colemore, Alton, Hampshire
Situated in beautiful unspoilt country, 2½ acres with wide variety of unusual plants. Yew and box hedges, mixed herbaceous and shrub borders, yellow and blue garden, rose walk and excellent lawns. Garden is being constantly developed and incl spectacular water rill, swimming pool garden and the creation of a wild flower, tree and shrub area. Many different roses, salvias, penstemons and tender plants and bulbs. Extensive new planting of trees and shrubs

Open: Sun 27, Mon 28 June (2-6)

The Cottage, Chandler's Ford, Hampshire The Cottage, Chandler's Ford, Hampshire
¾ acre. Azaleas, bog garden, camellias, dogwoods, erythroniums, free-range bantams, greenhouse grapes, honey from our bees, irises, jasmines, kitchen garden, landscaping began in 1950, maintained by owners, new planting, osmunda, ponds, quiz for children, rhododendrons, smilacina, trilliums, unusual plants, viscum, wildlife areas, eXuberant foliage, yr-round interest, zantedeschia

Open: Suns, Mons 2,3, 16, 17 May (2-6)

Cranbury Park, Otterbourne, nr Winchester, Hampshire Cranbury Park, Otterbourne, nr Winchester, Hampshire
Extensive pleasure grounds laid out in late C18 and early C19 by Papworth; fountains, rose garden, specimen trees and pinetum, lakeside walk and fern walk. Family carriages and collection of prams will be on view, also photos of King George VI, Eisenhower and Montgomery reviewing Canadian troops at Cranbury before D-Day

Open: Sun 14 June (2-6)

Dean House, Kilmeston, Hampshire Dean House, Kilmeston, Hampshire
The 9 acres have been described as 'a well-kept secret hidden beside the elegant facade of its Georgian centrepiece' with mixed and herbaceous borders, symmetrical rose garden, pond garden, working walled garden and glasshouses, sweeping lawns, York stone and gravel pathways and many young and mature trees and hedges

Open: Weds 26 May; 16 June; 7 July (10-4). Suns 18 July; 1 Aug (12-5)

The Down House, Itchen Abbas, Hampshire The Down House, Itchen Abbas, Hampshire
2-acre garden developed by owners since 2001, laid out in rooms overlooking Itchen Valley, adjoining the Pilgrim's Way, with walks through a large meadow to the river. Carpet of snowdrops and crocus, plus borders of coloured stems in winter. Roped rose garden, hot borders, wildlife pond and shady places in summer. Pleached hornbeams, yew-lined avenues, woodland nut and orchard walk. Working vineyard

Open: Suns 15 Feb (12-4); 28 June (2-6). 7 Feb 2010

Farleigh House, nr Basingstoke, Hampshire Farleigh House, nr Basingstoke, Hampshire
Contemporary garden of great tranquillity designed by Georgia Langton, surrounded by wonderful views. 3-acre walled garden in three sections: ornamental potager, formal rose garden and wild rose garden. Greenhouse full of exotics, serpentine yew walk, contemplative pond garden and lake with planting for wildlife. Approx 10 acres and 1 hour to walk around

Open: Suns 18 July, 12 Sept (2-5)

Hinton Ampner, Alresford, Hampshire Hinton Ampner, Alresford, Hampshire
12 acres; C20 shrub garden designed by Ralph Dutton. Strong architectural elements using yew and box topiary; spectacular views. Bold effects using simple plants, restrained and dramatic bedding. Orchard with spring wild flowers and bulbs within formal box hedges; magnolia and philadelphus walks. Dell garden made from chalk pit. Shrub rose border dating from 1950s. Walled garden now restored

Open: Sats 17 Apr; 19 June; 17 July; 18 Sept (11-5)

Hill House, Old Alresford, Hampshire Hill House, Old Alresford, Hampshire
Traditional English 2-acre garden, established 1938, divided by yew hedge. Large croquet lawn framing the star of the garden, the huge multi-coloured herbaceous border. Impressive dahlia bed and butterfly-attracting sunken garden in lavender shades. Prolific old-fashioned kitchen garden with hens and bantams both fluffy and large. Small Dexter cows, possibly with calves

Open: Sun 8, Tue 10 Aug (1.30-5)

The Hyde, Old Alresford, Hampshire The Hyde, Old Alresford, Hampshire
Tucked away behind an old field hedge, a delightful ¾-acre garden created by the owner to attract wildlife and reflect her flower arranging passion for colour and texture. Flowing borders contain an abundant mixture of perennials, half-hardies, annuals, grasses and shrubs. Interesting planting for shady areas

Open: Suns, Tues 15, 17 Aug; 5, 7 Sept (1.30-5)

Lake House, Northington, Hampshire Lake House, Northington, Hampshire
2 large lakes in Candover Valley set off by mature woodland with waterfalls, abundant bird life, long landscaped vistas and folly. 1½-acre walled garden, mixed borders, long herbaceous border, rose pergola leading to moon gate. Formal kitchen garden, flowering pots, conservatory and greenhouses. Picnicking by lakes

Open: Sun 6, Tue 8 June (1-5.30)

Little Court, Winchester, Hampshire Little Court, Winchester, Hampshire
3-acre traditional garden. Carpets of lavender crocus planted 50 years ago, many spring bulbs then many perennials, biennels and climbers, hardy geranium collection, fine lawns. Walled kitchen garden, tree house for all ages with wonderful views. Good seating, made from an ancient Thuja tree. A garden of great tranquility.

Open: sun 21, Mon 22, Tue 23 Feb(2-4.30); Sun 28, Tue 30 Mar; Fris 2, 23 Apr (2-5.30); Sun 20, Mon 21, Tue 22 Feb 2011

Litton Lodge, Winchester, Hampshire Litton Lodge, Winchester, Hampshire
A tranquil ½-acre garden overlooking the city, with traditional and exotic species flourishing in the flint-walled microclimate. Unusual scented winter shrubs, hellebores and bulbs are succeeded by colour-themed borders with uncommon perennials

Open: Sun 11 Apr (2-5)

'Selborne', East Worldham, Alton, Hampshire 'Selborne', East Worldham, Alton, Hampshire
A garden of surprises. ½-acre mature garden with old established orchard of named varieties. Meandering paths provide changing vistas across farmland. Mixed borders feature a large collection of hardy geraniums and other herbaceous plants and shrubs. Soft fruit garden, containers, metal and stone sculpture and summerhouses. Listen to birdsong as you enjoy tea in the dappled shade of the orchard, or in the conservatory

Open: Sats, Suns 17, 18 Apr; 15, 16 May (2-5). Evening Opening, wine, Fri 11 June (6-8). Sat, Sun 12, 13 Mon 14 Jun; Sat 31 July, Sun 1, Mon 2 Aug (2-6)

Shalden Park House, Shalden, Hampshire Shalden Park House, Shalden, Hampshire
4-acre garden surrounded by woodland, redesigned in 2005/6 by Georgia Langton. Extensive views. Herbaceous borders. Walled kitchen garden and glasshouses. Early stage arboretum. We are working on a new planting design around the pond

Open: Sun 20 July (2-5)

2011

Gardens Open by Month

February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October

Hinton Ampner Garden

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Brandy Mount Garden Picture Gallery