THIS weekend (if the it doesn't rain too much) make a trip to one of the county's open gardens.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors access to over 3,500 private gardens in England and Wales, and raises cash for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

In Wiltshire there are loads to choose from - some grand, some quaint and so quirky - but all worth a visit.

A total of £55 million to nursing and health charities, and made a record annual donation of £3.1 million in 2018. Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, they are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

June

Sunday 16th

Dauntsey Gardens

Church Lane, Dauntsey, Malmesbury, SN15 4HW. 5m SE of Malmesbury. Approach via Dauntsey Rd from Gt Somerford, 1m from Volunteer Inn Great Somerford. Sun 16 June (1-5). Combined adm £7.50, chd free. Home-made teas at Idover House.

The Coach House

Col & Mrs J Seddon-Brown.

Dauntsey Park

Mr & Mrs Giovanni Amati, 01249 721777, enquiries@dauntseyparkhouse.co.uk.

The Garden Cottage

Miss Ann Sturgis.

Idover House

Mr & Mrs Christopher Jerram.

The Old Coach House

Tony & Janette Yates.

The Old Pond House

Mr & Mrs Stephen Love.

This group of 6 gardens, centred around the historic Dauntsey Park Estate, ranges from the Classical C18 country house setting of Dauntsey Park, with spacious lawns, old trees and views over the River Avon, to mature country house gardens and traditional walled gardens. Enjoy the formal rose garden in pink and white, old fashioned borders and duck ponds at Idover House, and the quiet seclusion of The Coach House with its thyme terrace and gazebos, climbing roses and clematis. Here, mop-headed pruned crataegus prunifolia line the drive. The Garden Cottage has a traditional walled kitchen garden with organic vegetables, apple orchard, woodland walk and yew topiary. Meanwhile the 2 acres at The Old Pond House are both clipped and unclipped! Large pond with lilies and fat carp, and look out for the giraffe and turtle. The Old Coach House is a small garden with perennial plants, shrubs and climbers.

Aldbourne Open Gardens
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2019
Aldbourne is a downland village of great charm in Wiltshire, roughly equidistant from Marlborough, Hungerford and Swindon.

Biddestone Open Gardens
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2019
A wide range of large and small gardens will be open along with flower arrangements in the local church. Teas in a courtyar.

Bradford on Avon Secret Gardens
Sunday 26th May 2019 (first of two dates)
An interesting variety of gardens, with some quite hidden treasures spread throughout the town. Tea and scrumptious cakes available. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome at garden owners' discretion. P
Devizes Open Gardens
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2019
The Wiltshire Market town of Devizes is a gold medal winner in the RHS South West In Bloom competition and has much to recommend a visit. 

Sherston Open Gardens
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2019
Sherston is a pretty village in North Wiltshire on the South edge of the Cotswolds. A selection of large and small gardens will be open in and around the village, including five gardens this year which are new to our event.