Vellacott, Lawford near Crowcombe, Somerset

Nestling in countryside by the Quantock Hills, Vellacott is another perfect cottage garden, down a quiet tree-lined country lane off the main A358 road to Minehead.

The one-acre garden rises gently behind the pretty red sandstone cottage owned by Kevin and Pat Chittenden, giving wonderful views of the hills above Crowcombe. The south-facing garden has a choice selection of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees with all year interest.

Open: Thursday 17th and Tuesday 29th May; Sunday 3rd June, and Thursday 19th July, all from 11am until 5pm. Home-made teas available, and plants for sale.

Vellacott, Lawford, Crowcombe, Somerset TA4 4AL.
Telephone: 01984 618249
Website: www.ngs.org.uk

Selborne, Caker Lane, Alton, Hampshire

Not to be confused with the village not far away, Selborne is a half-acre mature country garden with an old established orchard of named varieties, a froth of apple blossom in late spring, meandering paths offering views across farmland, and mixed borders with a large collection of hardy geraniums and other herbaceous plants and shrubs. Metal and stone sculpture from Zimbabwe, two summerhouses and a soft fruit garden make for a varied visit.

With plenty of seating, relax and take tea in the orchard’s dappled shade or in the conservatory. Owners Brian and Mary Jones offer a small book stall, with garden quizzes for children and a sandpit.

Open for the NGS: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th Apr; Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 12th, 13th, 14th May; 2nd, 3rd, 4th June; 4th, 5th, 6th August, 2pm – 5pm.  Visitors also welcome by appointment. Admission: £3, children free (share to St Mary's Church, May/June, Tafara Mission Zimbabwe, August). Home-made teas, and plants for sale. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Selborne, Caker Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 3AE.
Telephone: 01420 83389
Email: mary.trigwell-jones@virgin.net

The Old Rectory, Pulham, Dorset

Formal and informal gardens surround the 18th century former rectory eight miles from Sherborne and owned by Mr and Mrs N Elliott, with splendid views among its four acres, and another ten acres of woodland walks. In May one of the highlights of a visit is to see the bog garden and the newly extended stream, with islands, lovely primulas and irises.

There are box parterres, mature trees, a pond and a waterfall, a fernery, pleached hornbeams and characteristically for a country house of the period, a ha-ha. Yew hedges enclose circular herbaceous borders, colourful in late summer, while purple and white-themed flower beds are on a terrace.

Open for the NGS: Bank Holiday Monday 7th May, Sunday 29th July, and Wednesday 1st August, from 2pm – 6pm. Admission: £5, children free. Visitors are also welcome by appointment, including groups. Home made teas, and plants for sale. Dogs are allowed on short leads. Wheelchair access.  

The Old Rectory, Pulham, Dorset DT2 7EA.
Telephone: 01258 817595

Lewis Cottage, Spreyton, near Crediton Devon

Another new opening for the Yellow Book this year, Lewis Cottage is a hidden gem of relaxed planting schemes and mixed borders.

Buried deep in the Devon countryside, it is surrounded by wild, informal but beautiful gardens and woods. The gardening styles of Gertrude Jekyll and Beth Chatto have influenced owners Mr and Mrs M Pell and Mr R Orton.

Open for the NGS: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20th May, and Sunday 10th June, 12pm – 5pm. Admission: £ 4, children free. Home-made teas and light refreshments, and plants for sale. Dogs allowed on leads. Visitors are also welcome by appointment, including groups.

Lewis Cottage, Spreyton, near Crediton, Devon EX17 5AA.
Telephone: 07773 785939
Email: richard@yaxleyhall.com

The Hollies, Colwall in the Cotswolds

Margaret and Graham White have transformed their garden since moving to The Hollies in 1994 when they started with an almost blank canvas on the plot which had been neglected for several years. Now the intensively planted half-acre with views of the Malvern Hills has continually evolving beds and borders with a wide range of shrubs, bulbs and herbaceous perennials chosen by these hardy plant enthusiasts to give all year interest  in varying leaf form and colours.

Open for the NGS: Saturdays and Sundays 26th, 27th May; 18th, 19th August, 2pm – 5pm. Visitors and groups also welcome by appointment. Admission: £3, children free. Home-made teas, and plants for sale. Dogs allowed on leads. Some gravel paths.

The Hollies, Old Church Road, Colwall, Herefordshire WR13 6EZ.
Telephone: 01684 540931
Email: mandgwhite@dsl.pipex.com