The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.
Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, they have donated more than £74 million to their beneficiary charities, and in 2024 made donations of over £3.5 million. Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, they are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and their beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson’ UK, Carers Trust and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.
The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – they are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too, funding Community Gardens and projects that promote gardens and gardening as therapy. In 2017, they launched their annual Gardens and Health Week to raise awareness of the topic in May each year. Their funding also supports the training of gardeners and offers respite to horticultural workers who have fallen on difficult times.
Visits to National Garden Scheme gardens have always represented good value for money. The average admission price in 2025 to a National Garden Scheme garden is £6.13 for an adult and, in most cases, children under 16 go free.
“From the first opening in 1927, when admission was a shilling a head, the National Garden Scheme has always endeavoured to provide affordable access to gardens for all,” says Chief Executive, George Plumptre.
Many gardens also have plants and produce for sale at prices below the usual nursery price and homemade cakes and teas also offer excellent value for money.
The complete Garden Visitor’s Handbook, and the full list of gardens, is on the NGS website: www.ngs.org.uk
Book your tickets in advance or just turn up and pay on the day, unless otherwise stated below.
NGS Open Gardens-Duxford Gardens
Duxford Village, CB22
Sun 1st Jun 2-6pm
Eight gardens of different sizes and character.
NGS Open Gardens-Audley End House
Audley End House, Saffron Walden CB11 4JL
Thu 12th Jun 5.30-7.30pm
Explore the enchanting Elysian Garden and the ‘Capability’ Brown landscape setting for the house, still featuring many of its original trees. Pre-booking essential
NGS Open Gardens-Stapleford
Stapleford Village, CB22 5BL
Sat 14th & Sun 15th Jun 1-6pm
Clever use of limited space, with a series of raised beds in the vegetable garden next to fruit trees and greenhouse.
NGS Open Gardens-Brent Pelham Hall
Brent Pelham Hall, SG9 0HF
Sun 8th Jun 1-4pm
Surrounding a beautiful Grade I listed property, the gardens consist of 12 acres of formal gardens, redesigned in 2007 by the renowned landscaper Kim Wilkie.
NGS Open Gardens-Great Becketts
Great Becketts, Arkesden, Saffron Walden CB11 4HG
Sat 21st Jun 2-6pm
In the middle of arable farm land, surrounding a Tudor house and outbuildings.
NGS Open Gardens – Madingley Hall
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ
Wed 2nd Jul 6-7.30pm
C16 Hall set in eight acres of attractive grounds landscaped by Capability Brown. Features inc landscaped walled garden with hazel walk. Historic meadow, topiary, mature trees and wide variety of hardy plants. Pre-booking essential
NGS Open Gardens – Sawston Gardens
Sawston Gardens, Mill Ln, Sawston, CB22 3HY
Sun 6th Jul 1- 5pm
Six gardens in this large South Cambs village, including wonderful views across fields to the Gog Magog hills, mixed borders, a secluded sun-dappled garden, extensive lawns, wildflower meadow, herbaceous borders, orchard, vegetable beds, vinehouse and beehives.
NGS Open Gardens – Burloes Hall
Burloes Hall, Royston SG8 9NE
Sun 20th Jul 11am-5pm
Formal gardens with deep colourful mixed herbaceous borders, bountiful Nepeta and white roses. Handsome beech trees and mature yew hedges with extensive lawns. The garden was designed and created in the 1900’s. Refreshments.
