Two Benter gardens will open in aid of the unique charity the national garden scheme on Sunday, 23rd July, from 10am to 5pm.

They are two contrasting gardens in a beautiful, peaceful and tranquil secluded valley setting, surrounded by woodland. A profusion of herbaceous borders add colour with interest in each garden.

The garden at Fire Engine House is mature and established, with lawns, generous borders and narrow, enticing paths; through a garden door and tumble-down bothy is a small orchard with specimen trees. At College Barn a wildlife pond has been created in recent years at the woodland edge with native planting. Please be aware the pond is deep, children need to be supervised in both gardens.

Created over the last seven years, the garden at College Barn draws upon its surroundings of meadows and woodland, with hazel and hornbeam hedges and naturalistic plantings of perennials in large blocks or in matrices with ornamental grasses. Intimate walled garden filled with vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit. A wildlife pond has been created in recent years at the woodland edge with native planting.

Set in a secluded valley setting, surrounded by woodland, Fire Engine House is an old inn (not open). The structure of the garden is made by the old boundary walls and large stone barn, formerly the pub skittle alley. Through a garden door and tumble-down bothy the owners have created a layered garden with lawns bounded by deep borders of perennials, shrubs and roses, narrow enticing paths lead you round.

Stout shoes recommended for the woodland walk, please keep to the footpaths.

Admission is £6, payment may be made on the day or online in advance. Children under the age of 16, accompanied by an adult, have free entry. Delicious homemade tea and cake is available.

The National Garden Scheme is an independent charity.

Thanks to the generosity of our garden openers the NGS donated £3.11million in 2022 for their chosen beneficiaries who provide critical support to nursing and health charities.

All beneficiaries are approved by their group of Trustees, to find out more please visit ngs.org.uk/beneficiaries. If you would like more information on opening your garden please contact [email protected]

To find the Benter gardens, go to BA3 5BJ.