Local garden open days
The National Garden Scheme offers a great opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the finest gardens in Surrey. Many are in private ownership and not normally open to the public. The following have open days this month.
Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9JG
One of the earliest surviving English landscape gardens, begun by Vanbrugh and Bridgeman before 1720 and extended and naturalized by Kent and Capability Brown. Lake, island with pavilion; grotto and turf amphitheatre; viewpoints and avenues
Open: For NGS: Sat 5 May; Sun 14 Oct (10-6)
Westways Farm, Gracious Pond Road, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8HH
Open 6-acre garden surrounded by woodlands planted in 1930s with mature and some rare rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias, underplanted with bluebells, erythroniums, lilies and dogwood; extensive lawns and sunken pond garden. Working stables and sandschool. Lovely Queen Anne House (not open) covered with listed Magnolia grandiflora. Victorian design glasshouse
Open: Sat 5 May (10-5); Sun 6 May (10-4). Visitors also welcome by appt
57 Westhall Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9BG
Reward for the sure-footed – many steep steps to 3 levels! Swathes of tulips and alliums. Mature kiwi and grape vines. Mixed borders. Raised vegetable beds. Box, bay, cork oak and yew topiaries. ‘Amphitheatre’ of potted plants on lower steps. Stunning views of Caterham and Whyteleafe from top garden
Open: Sun 6, Mon 7 May (2-5)
Chandlers, Lower Ham Lane, Elstead, Surrey, GU8 6HQ
Come and enjoy a stroll around this ½-acre garden brimming with exciting planting combinations, many unusual shrubs, trees, grasses, perennials and bulbs. Divided into rooms incl a picturesque potager with step-over apple trees and companion planting, woodland, and mixed borders radiating from a semi-circular slate, multi-level patio and pergola
Open: Sun 6 May (1-5)
Crosswater Farm, Crosswater Lane, Churt, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2JN
Idyllic 6-acre woodland garden. Plantsman’s collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, incl rare species collected in the Himalayas, hybrids raised by the owners. Everything from alpine dwarfs to architectural large-leaved trees. Ponds, stream and companion plantings incl sorbus, magnolias and Japanese acers. Trial gardens of new varieties
Open: For NGS: Sun 6, Mon 7 May (10-5)
Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7RT
Garden and park designed by Repton in 1800. Follow one of the park walks to the stunning bluebell wood in spring (40 mins round walk over rough and sometimes muddy ground – Tramper vehicle available to borrow). South of the house, a small parterre designed by Gertrude Jekyll in 1913 to flower in early June. In autumn enjoy the changing colours on the long walk
Open: For NGS: Suns 6 May; 21 Oct (11-6)
Moleshill House, The Fairmile, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1BG
Romantic garden. Short woodland path leads from dovecote to beehives. Informal planting contrasts with formal topiary box and garlanded cisterns. Colourful courtyard and pots, conservatory, fountains, bog garden. Pleached avenue, new circular gravel garden replacing most of the lawn. Some vegetables, chickens permitting! Snowdrops in avenue in Feb
Open: Sun 26 Feb (11-2, with soup & sausages); Sun 6 May with Jazz in the garden, Mon 7 May with Opera Singers in the garden (2-5). Groups of 10+ also welcome by appt, £6.50 per head incl refreshments
The Old Croft, South Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 4NT
Beautiful 5-acre garden with many diverse areas of natural beauty, giving a sense of peace and tranquillity. Stunning vistas incl lake, bridge, pond fed by natural stream running over rocky weirs, bog gardens, roses, perennial borders, elevated viewing hide, tropical bamboo maze, curved pergola of rambling roses, unique topiary buttress hedge, many specimen trees and shrubs. Visitors return again and again
Open: Sun 6, Mon 7 May; Sats, Suns 9, 10 June; 14, 15 July; 11, 12 Aug (2-6)
Timber Hill, Chertsey Road, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8JF
Beautifully situated 15-acre garden, woodland garden and park with views to N Downs. Fine specimens of oaks, liquidambar and liriodendron. Early witch hazel walk (by appt), new plantings of oaks, beech, cherry and acers. Many camellias and magnolias shelter behind banks of rhododendron ponticum. Drifts of narcissi, daffodils and spring bulbs; shrub and ground-cover borders. Bluebells and azaleas in early May
Open: Suns 1 Apr; 6 May (11.30-4.30)
Vann, Hambledon, Surrey, GU8 4EF
5-acre English Heritage registered garden surrounding Tudor and William and Mary house (not open) with Arts and Crafts additions by W D Caröe incl a Bargate stone pergola. At the front, brick-paved original ‘cottage’ garden; to the rear, ¼-acre pond, yew walk with rill and Gertrude Jekyll water garden. Snowdrops and hellebores, spring bulbs, Fritillaria meleagris in March. Island beds, crinkle crankle wall, orchard with wild flowers, vegetable garden. Centenary garden and woodland
Open: For NGS: Sun 25 to Wed 28 Mar incl; Mon 9 Apr to Sun 15 Apr incl; Sun 6 May to Sun 13 May incl; Sun 10 June to Sun 17 June incl (all dates 10-6)
Coverwood Lakes, Peaslake Road, Ewhurst, Surrey, GU6 7NT
14-acre landscaped garden in stunning position high in the Surrey Hills with 4 lakes and bog garden. Extensive rhododendrons, azaleas and fine trees. 3½-acre lakeside arboretum. Marked trail through the 180-acre working farm with Hereford cows and calves, sheep and horses, extensive views of the surrounding hills
Open: Mon 9 Apr, Suns 15, 22, 29 Apr; Mon 7, Sun 13 May (2-6); Sun 14 Oct (11-4.30)
Ramster, Chiddingfold, Surrey, GU8 4SN
A stunning, mature woodland garden set in over 30 acres, famous for its rhododendron and azalea collection and carpets of bluebells. Enjoy a peaceful wander down the meandering woodland walk, explore the bog garden with stepping stones or relax in the tranquil enclosed Tennis Court Garden
Open: For NGS: Fri 11 May (10-5)
Hall Grove School, London Road (A30), Bagshot, Surrey, GU19 5HZ
Formerly small Georgian country estate, now co-educational preparatory school. Grade II listed house (not open). Mature parkland with specimen trees. Historical features incl ice house, old walled garden, heated peach wall. New lake, woodland walks, rhododendrons and azaleas
Open: Sat 12 May (2-5)
Wintershall Manor, Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0LR
2-acre garden and 200 acres of park and woodland. Bluebell walks in spring, wild daffodils, rhododendrons, specimen trees. Lakes and flight ponds; superb views. Chapel of St Mary, stations of Cross, Rosary Walk and St Francis Chapel
Open: Sats 21 Apr; 12 May (2-5)
Chestnut Cottage, 15 Jubilee Lane, Boundstone, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4SZ
½-acre garden created by owners on different levels. Rhododendrons, azaleas, acers and conifers. Long pergola with wisteria and roses, attractive gazebo copied from the original at NT Hunting Lodge in Odiham. Peaceful setting
Open: Sun 13 May (2-5.30)
Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HS
Delightful 2½-acre walled garden. Award-winning rose garden (over 1,000 bushes, mainly old-fashioned varieties), extensive herb garden, fruit/flower garden, white garden with fountains, and spectacular organic vegetable garden. Magnificent vine walk, herbaceous borders, moat walk, ancient wisteria and mulberry trees. Wild flower meadow
Open: For NGS: Sun 13 May (11-5)
The Round House, Dunsfold Road, Loxhill, Surrey, GU8 4BL
2½-acre walled Victorian garden with far-reaching views from the top of the garden. Continuing renewal programme since 2002. Colourful mixed beds with perennials, roses and interesting statuary. Water cascades. Apple and plum orchard. Serpentine paths between shrubs and wild flowers. 75 metre lavender walk. Ornamental fish pond
Open: Suns, Weds 13, 16 May; 10, 13 June (12-5). Groups also welcome by appt
Chauffeur’s Flat, Tandridge Lane, Tandridge, Surrey, RH8 9NJ
Enter a 1-acre tapestry of magical secret gardens with magnificent views. Touching the senses, all sure-footed visitors may explore the many surprises on this constantly evolving exuberant escape from reality. Imaginative use of recycled materials creates an inspired variety of ideas, while wild and specimen plants reveal an ecological haven
Open: Mon 14 May to Sun 20 May incl; Mon 18 June to Sun 24 June incl (10-5)
Dunsborough Park, Ripley, Surrey, GU23 6AL
Extensive walled gardens of 6 acres redesigned by Penelope Hobhouse and Rupert Golby. Good structure with much box hedging creating many different garden rooms. Exciting long herbaceous borders with beautiful standard wisterias. Unusual 70ft ginkgo hedge and ancient mulberry tree. Atmospheric water garden recently redesigned and restored. Fabulous display of tulips in spring with 10,000 bulbs and large cut flower garden
Open: Sats 19 May; 16 June; 15 Sept (2-6)
Titsey Place Gardens, Titsey Hill, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0SD
One of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey. Magnificent ancestral home and gardens of the Gresham family since 1534. Walled kitchen garden restored early 1990s. Golden Jubilee rose garden. Etruscan summer house adjoining picturesque lakes and fountains. 15 acres of formal and informal gardens in idyllic setting within the M25
Open: For NGS: Sats 19 May; 16 June; 21 July; 18 Aug (12.30-5)
Knowle Grange, Hound House Road, Shere, Surrey, GU5 9JH
80-acre idyllic hilltop position. Extraordinary and exciting 7-acre gardens, created from scratch since 1990 by Marie-Elisabeth Wood, blend the free romantic style with the strong architectural frame of the classical tradition. Walk the rural one-mile Bluebell Valley Unicursal Path of Life and discover its secret allegory
Open: Suns 20 May; 16 Sept (11-5). Groups also welcome by appt
Chilworth Manor, Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8NN
Extensive grounds of lawns and mature trees around C17/C18 manor on C11 monastic site. Substantial C18 terraced walled garden laid out by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, with herbaceous borders, topiary and fruit trees. Original stewponds integrated with new Japanese-themed garden and woodland garden and walk. Paddock home to alpacas. Ongoing restoration project aims to create a contemporary and practical garden sensitive to its historic context
Open: Sun 27 May (11-5)
Memoirs, Stafford Lake, Queen’s Road, Bisley, Surrey, GU24 9AY
Interesting and varied 8-acre organic garden created by owners. Formal lawn and borders, stream, ponds, bog garden, kitchen garden, terrace garden, wildlife areas, woodland, orchard and fields with rare-breed sheep, goats, chicken and ducks
Open: Sun 27 May (1.30-5.30). Visitors also welcome by appt
Spurfold, Peaslake, Surrey, GU5 9SZ
4 acres, large herbaceous and shrub borders, formal pond with Cambodian Buddha head, sunken gravel garden with topiary box and water feature, terraces, beautiful lawns, mature rhododendrons and azaleas, woodland paths, and gazebos. Garden contains unique collection of Indian elephants and other objets d’art. New topiary garden created 2010 and new formal lawn area being created for 2012
Open: Sun 27 May (11-5). Evening Opening, wine, £6.50, chd free, Fri 3 Aug (5-8). Groups of 15+ also welcome by appt May to mid-August, refreshments by arrangement
The Manor House, Three Gates Lane, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 2ES
Described by Country Life as ‘The hanging gardens of Haslemere’, The Manor House gardens are in a valley of the Surrey Hills. One of Surrey inaugural NGS gardens, they are still under restoration. Fine views, six acres, water gardens
Open: Sun 27 May (2-6)
Walton Poor House, Ranmore, Surrey, RH5 6SX
Tranquil, almost secretive, 4-acre mostly wooded garden in N Downs AONB, planted to show contrast between colourful shrubs and mature trees. Paths wind through garden to pond, hideaway dell and herb garden, planted to show the use of aromatic plants and shrubs. Specialist nursery with wide variety of herbs, shrubs and aromatic plants
Open: Sat 28, Sun 29 Apr; Sun 27 May (12-5); Sat 13, Sun 14 Oct (12-4). Visitors also welcome by appt
Great Fosters, Stroude Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9UR
Within the 50-acre estate, this wonderful and inspiring garden has been beautifully restored over the last 14yrs. Framed on 3 sides by a Saxon moat, the knot garden of intricate design has fragrant beds of flowers and herbs and is bordered by clipped hedges and topiary. Beyond, find a grass amphitheatre, large lake, wisteria-draped Japanese bridge, sunken rose garden and tranquil lily pond
Open: Tue 29, Wed 30 May (11-6)





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