Gardens in Northumberland normally closed to the public will throw open their doors across three weekends this summer in the name of charity.
Every year, Hospice Care North Northumberland hosts Open Garden Season, where members of the public can explore gardens that they usually would not be privy to. The events have raised a six-figure sum over the last 14 years for the Alnwick -based palliative care charity.
This year's programme includes Hedgeley Hall in Powburn, gardens in the Parish of Lesbury near Alnmouth, and Shortridge Hall, Warkworth.
The first event of the 2022 season is this Saturday, May 28, when the Carr-Ellison family open their garden at Hedgeley Hall near Powburn from 2pm - 6pm. The garden is noted for its rhododendrons, with some specimens dating back to the 19th century, while there are also woodland walks, a sunken garden and rose-covered garden walls.
The next opening is on the weekend of June 18 and 19 from 10am - 4pm, with visitors able to wander around nine gardens in the Parish of Lesbury, a stop on the Northumberland Coastal Route and a conservation area of historic interest. The village has an active gardening club and the open gardens range from a large riverside garden with formal area, small 'woodland' and mixed borders; medium sized gardens with a range of perennial plants and smaller cottage style gardens.
And finally, on July 23 from 1.30pm - 5.30pm, visitors will be able to view the newly planted 3.5-acre garden at Shortridge Hall, Warkworth. The garden design by well-known landscape designer, Adam Frost, features a woodland garden, mixed rose garden, ornamental ponds and wildflower meadows.
Where's your favourite garden in Northumberland? Let us know!
Rebecca Taylor, Community fundraiser for Hospice Care North Northumberland, said: "Our Open Garden events are very popular and over the last 14 years have raised over £174,000 to support the delivery of our hospice services to people in their homes in local communities. We are very grateful to all the Garden Owners, who put in an incredible amount of work on the lead up to opening their garden gates."
As well as hosting Open Garden Season, Hospice Care North Northumberland is bringing the Handlebards to the county for their unique and energetic performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night across three nights in August. There are performances at Felton Park in Felton on August 13, The Friary in Alnmouth on August 14 and Pallinsburn House Cornhill-on-Tweed on August 17.
For more information and tickets to all events, visit the Hospice Care North Northumberland website.
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