The National Garden Scheme, which has been going since 1927, sees all manner of gardens open in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands – on selected days – from grand country estates to charming cottage gardens. It’s the place to find inspiration and, of course, enjoy a cup of tea and slice of homemade cake. And, above everything else, vital money is raised for a selection of charities including Marie Curie and Hospice UK. Last year, almost £3.9m was raised nationwide, with Norfolk contributing almost £150,000. 

MANNINGTON ESTATE

6 June, 10am to 4pm

Explore 20 acres of beautiful gardens, lakes and woodlands surrounding a Medieval moated manor. Wander through wildflower meadows and tree-lined trellis alive with birdsong. Mannington is a magical Norfolk gem for nature lovers. Admission £8, children free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. 

THE RUDHAMS GROUP OPENING

7 June, 11am to 5pm

These four gardens are very varied in history, design and planting. There’s Georgian Wensum House with its winding stream, large herbaceous borders, rose arches and statuary; 18th century Dragonfly Cottage with colourful borders, ponds, wildflower areas and small vegetable and cutting garden; Wensum Farmhouse with a small walled cottage-style garden, adjoining wild meadows with ponds, meandering paths and restored shepherd’s hut. The White Cottage is a naturalistic and pollinator friendly garden with colourful borders and courtyard. A local art exhibition will be held at Wensum Farmhouse. Admission £10, children free. Partial wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Homemade refreshments, served at Wensum House, in aid of Tapping House.

BOLWICK HALL, Marsham

7 June, 1pm to 5pm  

Landscaped gardens and park surround this late Georgian hall. The landscaping and borders have been rejuvenated, a gravel garden and formal area planted, and the walls clad in old roses. Enjoy a woodland walk around the lake abounding with wildlife and a stroll through the working vegetable and fruit garden with its double herbaceous border. Admission £6, children free. Wheelchair access. Also open ‘By Arrangement’ in July.   

ELSING HALL GARDENS, Elsing 

7 June, 10am to 4pm

This glorious 15th century fortified manor house (not open) has a working moat and 10-acre garden with a significant collection of old roses, plus a walled garden, formal garden, marginal planting, ginkgo avenue, viewing mound, moon gate, interesting pinetum and terraced garden. There’s a further 10-acres of parkland surrounding the house. Admission £8, children free. Refreshments in aid of local church.

FERNDALE, Upper Stoke Holy Cross

7 June, 11am to 4pm

This third of an acre garden has a variety of areas to sit and admire the shrubs and borders. There’s a pond area with water feature, a second area with kitchen garden and a further area with rose arbour and semi-circular wall. Expect a plant stall, a craft stall and, if dry, French music played by an accordionist. Admission £4, children free. Cash only. Wheelchair access. Also open on 26 July.    

GREENACRE FARMHOUSE, Hockwold

7 June, 11am to 4pm 

A pretty, traditional cottage garden, with mature trees. The garden, adjacent to an 18th century farmhouse, is crammed with colour, roses, shrubs, flowers, pond and gravel dry garden with beehives. Free beekeeping talk/demonstration. Admission £5, children free. Limited wheelchair access.

HIGH HOUSE GARDENS, Shipdham

7 June, 12pm to 5pm  

This three-acre plantsman’s garden has been developed and maintained by the current owners over the past 40 years. Enjoy colour-themed borders with an extensive range of perennials, box-edged rose and shrub borders, woodland garden, a pond and bog area, an orchard and small arboretum. Admission £6, children free. Cash only. Wheelchair access via gravel paths. Also open on 13 September.

OULTON HALL, Aylsham

7 June, 1.30pm to 5pm

An 18th century Manor House (not open) and clocktower set in a six-acre garden, with lake and woodland walks. A Chelsea designer’s own garden, developed over 25 years, with herbaceous, Italian, bog, water, wild, verdant, sunken and parterre gardens all flowing from one tempting vista to another. Admission £6, children free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Refreshments in aid of local church.

47 NORWICH ROAD, Stoke Holy Cross

13 and 14 June, 11am to 5pm

With views over Tas Valley and water meadows, here you can wander beneath a rose and vine covered pergola, past gravel beds and raised terraces shaded by magnolias in this lovingly developed garden. Admission £6, children free. In conjunction with 51 Norwich Road. Partial wheelchair access.

51 NORWICH ROAD, Stoke Holy Cross

13 and 14 June, 11am to 5pm

This garden has a variety of perennials, roses and annuals in meandering borders as well as vegetable and asparagus beds, cold frames and a greenhouse. Admission £6, children free. In conjunction with 47 Norwich Road. Partial wheelchair access.

SWAFIELD HALL, North Walsham

13 and 14 June, 10am to 4pm

There’s a four-acre garden surrounding this 16th century manor house. Discover the parterre and various rooms including a summer garden, orchard, cutting garden, pear tunnel and secret oriental garden with nine flower beds based on a Persian carpet. There is also a duck pond, walks through the woodland and promenade of theatrical serpentine hedging. Admission £6, children free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Refreshments in aid of the local church.

BRACONDALE GARDENS (GROUP OPENING)

14 June, 10am to 4pm 

Three attractive compact town gardens are opening just a short walk apart, each with a different character. 1 Woodside Cottages is a very pretty cottage garden packed with colourful plants both ornamental and edible and even the resident chickens are decorative. 14 Conesford Drive features lush planting of shrubs, ferns and flowers, leading through to a cottage garden of perennials and climbers. 72 Bracondale is new to the scheme, a tranquil, mature city garden with a grand copper beech and wildflower meadow. There’s a sunken area with old walls, reflecting its history, and mixed borders along with patios hosting bay-filled pots. Admission £9, children free. Partial wheelchair access. Homemade teas by Priscilla Bacon Trust   

TAPPING HOUSE 

14 June, 10am to 2pm

Created and maintained by volunteers, the gardens here are still being developed but many areas provide a peaceful and tranquil backdrop for patients, visitors and staff, with a variety of cottage garden plants, perennials and shrubs. There is also a vegetable garden, the produce of which is used by the kitchen, and a wildlife area with pond. Admission £4.50, children free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome.

MANOR HOUSE FARM, Wellingham

21 June, 11am to 5pm

A charming four-acre country garden with traditional and relaxed planting: grasses and gravel; formal quadrants; a small arboretum; pleached lime walk; vegetable parterre and rose tunnel; an unusual walled ‘Taj’ garden with old-fashioned roses, tree peonies, lilies and formal pond. Small herd of Sika deer. Featured in Gardens Illustrated, Country Life and Country Living. Admission £7, children free. Cash only. Dogs welcome. Homemade refreshments in aid of Tapping House. Also open By Arrangement until 15 July.     

WALCOTT HOUSE, Walcott

21 June, 11am to 5pm

A 12-acre site with over an acre of formal gardens based on model 19th century Norfolk farm buildings. Within this, there are three walled gardens, a herb, cut flower garden and a white garden. There is a box maze, a grass garden, formal orchard and croquet lawn. Beyond, there are damp gardens, woodland walks, an arboretum and vistas with tree lined avenues. Admission £6, children free. Partial wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Also open By Arrangement in July.   

OLD MANOR FARMHOUSE, Swanton Abbott

26 June 1pm to 5.30pm; 27 and 28 June, 9am to 5.30pm 

Originally a field surrounding a derelict 17th century listed farmhouse which was rescued from dereliction, winning the Graham Allen Conservation Award in 1991, the garden structure, sympathetic to the Dutch style of the house was laid down. There’s a knot garden of box surrounded by pleached hornbeam, pollarded plane trees, beech and yew hedges flank herbaceous borders and lawns, a clematis and rose walk, potager and spiral wildflower meadow. Admission £6, children free. Dogs welcome. 

Before visiting a garden, do check the website for up-to-date information at www.ngs.org.uk