WHAT a great weekend for new experiences with three gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme for the first time this year and one newly revamped garden.

All four gardens welcome well-behaved dogs and have free admission for children and disabled friendly areas, giving plenty of choice for an afternoon out with all the family.

Three acres of country garden and paddocks can be found at Bryncelyn, Lluest Lane, Cwmnantymeichaid, Llanfyllin (SY22 5NE) where mature trees, deep beds of perennial planting and shrubs have been chosen to attract nature.

Flat lawns and gravelled areas merge into sloping lawns, dropping down to a lake and stream, and all blending into the spectacular backdrop of the near hills, with views opening out across to Cefn Coca and the Berwyns.

You can meet the resident donkeys and strut with the peacocks and the children can try the garden quiz or enjoy the play area. Bryncelyn is open from 1pm until 5pm on both Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, admission is £4.

Also open on both Saturday and Sunday is Stockton Mill a peaceful house, with adjacent old mill (open) set by the river Camlad in the vale of Montgomery. There are views in every direction.

The garden is about three acres, with extensive shrub and herbaceous borders, lawns and two wildlife ponds. Trees mainly planted 30 years ago are now matured into striking woodland including Himalayan Birch, Himalayan Cherry, Dogwoods and varieties of unusual conifers. It is a lovely place to relax in and enjoy walks by the riverside.

Stockton Mill at Marton, Welshpool, SY21 8JL, is open from 2pm to 5pm both days, admission is £3.50.

On Sunday, June 9, we have another new garden at Caebardd, Pentrebeirdd, Guilsfield, SY21 9DJ, open from 2pm until 5.30pm; admission £4. The main garden is a mix of mature trees and shrubs that wrap around the house circling a pond that has been there for more than 100 years.

The lawn takes you around to the herbaceous borders planted against dry stone walls made from stones picked from surrounding fields.

Paths lead to a hidden Japanese corner with waterfall, bamboos, acers and a bridge. A short walk across farmyard takes you to a wild meadow full of wildflowers with interlacing paths leading onto a raised bed veg plot between the orchard and walnut grove.

A 10-minute hike to top of farm will reward you with magnificent views of Long Mountain, Rodney's Pillar, Shropshire plains around to Berwyns. Cadair Berwen and Allt y Main.

Also, on Sunday, June 9, is the last opportunity this year to see the garden at Oak Cottage in the centre of Welshpool. This plantsman’s garden provides an oasis of green in the town centre and has a wide variety of plants including alpines and a collection of insectivorous plants.

Open from 2pm until 5pm, the garden at Oak Cottage at 23 High Street, Welshpool, SY21 7JP, is accessed from Bowling Green Lane, admission is £3.50.

There are also gardens which will open by arrangement providing visitors with an exclusive opportunity to explore wonderful gardens set in stunning locations, all you need to do is contact the owner and arrange a time to suit you.

Remember that when visiting a garden open through National Garden Scheme you not only have an opportunity to enjoy a great garden and great cake, but you are also helping to raise funds for Nursing and Health charities such as Hospice UK, Macmillan, Marie Curie and our new guest charity Mind.

GARDENS OPEN BY ARRANGEMENT:

Apr-Aug: ABERNANT, Garthmyl, SY15 6RZ Mrs BM Gleave: 01686 640494, john.gleave@mac.com

Apr-Jun: GORSTY HOUSE, Hyssington, SY15 6AT Gary & Annie Frost

01588 620953 frostiesuk@msn.com

Apr-Nov: HEBRON, Knighton, LD7 1HP Kevin Collins & Anita Lewis

01547 529576 kd.collins@hotmail.co.uk

All Year: LLYSDINAM, Newbridge-on-Wye, LD1 6NB

Mary Elster: 01597 860190 llethr@outlook.com

Apr-Nov: PLAS DINAM, Llandinam, SY17 5DQ

Eldrydd Lamp, 07415 503554, eldrydd@plasdinam.co.uk

Apr-Sep: PONT FAEN HOUSE, Farrington Lane, Knighton, LD7 1LA

Mr John & Mrs Brenda Morgan, 01547 520847

May-Sep: 1 CHURCH BANK, Welshpool, SY21 7DR Mel & Heather Parkes

01938 559112, melandheather@live.co.uk

May-Sep: TRANQUILLITY HAVEN, Whitton, LD7 1NJ Val Brown

01547 560070 valerie.brown1502@gmail.com

May-Sep: WHITE HOPTON FARM, Sarn SY16 4EN Claire Austin

01686 670342 enquiries@claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk

Jun-Jul: HURDLEY HALL, Churchstoke, SY15 6DY Simon Cain & Simon Quin

07958915115 simon.cain@westbourneconsulting.com

Jun-Jul: THE HYMNS, Presteigne, LD8 2RA E Passey

07958 762362 thehymns@hotmail.com

Jun-Sep: 1 YSTRAD HOUSE, Knighton, LD7 1EB John & Margaret Davis

01547 528154 jamdavis@ystradhouse.plus.com

Jun-Aug: TYN Y CWM, Beulah, LD5 4TS Steve & Christine Carrow

01591 620461 stevetynycwm@hotmail.co.uk

Jun-Sep: THE NEUADD, Llanbedr, NP8 1SP Robin & Philippa Herbert

01873 812164 philippahherbert@gmail.com

Jul: BRONIARTH HALL, Guilsfield, SY21 9DW Mrs Janet Powell

01938 500639 janet09br@hotmail.co.uk

Ends

For more information, high resolution images or to interview a spokesperson, please contact Helen Anthony (Publicity Officer) by emailing powys.ngs.publicity@gmail.com or calling 01686 941795

NOTES TO EDITOR

About National Garden Scheme

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

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated a total of £58 million to nursing and health charities, and made donations of £3.1 million in 2018. Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, we are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and our beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We fund projects which promote gardens and gardening as therapy, and in 2017, we launched our annual Gardens and Health Week to raise awareness of the topic.

To find your perfect garden, visit ngs.org.uk, download the National Garden Scheme app or purchase the National Garden Scheme’s Garden Visitor’s Handbook, which is published annually and available via ngs.org.uk/shop and at all good book retailers.