2023 has proved an impressive year of post-Covid recovery as the NGS donated over £3 million to our beneficiaries (including Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK).

“Warwickshire’s 7358 visitors raised over £44,000 last year. 2024 promises to be another fabulous year of garden openings in our area,” commented Liz Watson, County Organiser. “This year we are delighted to be joined by some gardens previously part of our neighbouring ‘patch’ in the West Midlands including Marie Curie Hospice and Bournville Village. If anyone else would like to join us in opening their own garden or joining a community of volunteers, please do get in touch”.

For full details of all Warwickshire open gardens, please visit ngs.org.uk or see the newly-available county booklet.

APRIL

Every Saturday & Sunday
Bridge Nursery, Southam, CV47 8HX
Admission £3.50 children free
A one-acre wildlife haven of varied plants thriving in clay soil. 

Saturday 20^th April
Broadacre www.broadacregarden.org 
Grange Road, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8QA
2-6pm, admission £6, children free, dogs on short leads welcome, plant sale
Dorridge’s Broadacre opens its imposing Edwardian gentleman’s estate of gently landscaped grounds and nature reserve with venerable oaks where barn and tawny owls nest, 600 year-old hedges, indigenous woodland (with Dutch-elm disease resistant elm varieties planted), fruit trees in Spring blossom and two wildflower meadows, all organically managed. Bring sensible footwear for the Nature Trail. Refreshments will be served at the Wisteria Wall, Country Markets produce stall selling jams, preserves from estate produce and local honey, with Tea Marquee refreshments included in entrance fee dispensing glorious cakes and tea served in china cups. 

MAY

Sunday 5^th May
Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, B36 9BT www.castlebromwichhallgardens.org.uk
10.30am-4.30pm, admission £6, children £3, dogs on short leads welcome, plant sale
10 fascinating acres of restored C16/17 walled garden plus 30 acres of parkland and wildlife reserve. Formal yew parterres, wilderness walks, summerhouses, holly maze, espaliered fruit and wild areas.

Friday 10^th May
Priors Marston Manor, CV47 7RH
10am-4pm, admission £7, children free, dogs on short leads welcome. Teas.
Georgian manor garden and pleasure grounds. Regional Winner, Midlands, The English Garden Magazine’s The Nation’s Favourite Gardens 2023.

Sunday 12^th & 19^th May
Beech Hurst, 3 Warwick Road, Southam, CV47 0HN
2pm-5pm, admission £5, children free
1¼ acre garden attached to Regency house, woodland with historic trees, borders, recent Japanese garden with acers, cherries, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

Cats Whiskers, Birmingham, B13 8LE
12pm-5pm, admission £6, children free
Abundantly stocked plantsman’s garden developed over 40 years.

Saturday 25^th & Sunday 26^th May
Ilmington Gardens, CV36 4LA
12.30pm-5.30pm, combined admission £10, children free, homemade cream teas
A cornucopia of ten enchanting and varied gardens within this picturesque hillside Cotswold village.

Saturday 25^th & Monday 27^th May
Pebworth Gardens, CV37 8XZ
1pm-5pm, admission £7, children free, teas at Village Hall, cakes served by Pebworth & District WI
Eleven varied (cottage, modern, walled, terraced) styles for the garden visitor to enjoy. Village allotments also open with – we are assured – some “real characters” offering a warm welcome.

Words & Photographs © Lily Farrah