Every year almost 50 Herefordshire gardens open for the NGS annual garden scheme. We’ve picked a bunch of the loveliest 11 opening their garden gates this year (and an extra one in Malvern)

May 26 and 27

1. The Old Corn Mill, Ross-on-Wye
4 acres of woodland, meadows, ponds and streams. A tranquil and relaxed country garden of scents, sights and sounds. Interest all year with drifts of tulips, wild daffodils and common spotted orchids in spring. Good Autumn colour.
Theoldcornmillgarden.com

May 26, June 9
2. Kentchurch Court
Kentchurch Court has been in the Scudamore family for over 1000 years and the extensive deer park dates back to the Knights Hospitalers of Dinmore.
   The gardens first opened for NGS in 1927 and feature a formal rose garden, traditional vegetable garden redesigned with colour, scent and easy access. Walled garden and herbaceous borders, rhododendrons and wild flower walk. Deer-park and ancient woodland.
  At the heart of the 5000 acre estate, the gardens also feature an extensive collection of mature trees and shrubs.
kentchurchcourt.co.uk

June 21
Until Monday, July 29, open Sunday and Monday afternoons, 2-5pm
3. Bryan’s Ground, Presteigne
Eight-acre internationally renowned contemporary reinterpretation of an Arts and Crafts garden dating from 1912, conceived as a series of rooms with yew and box topiary, parterres, colour-themed flower and shrub borders, reflecting pools, potager, Edwardian greenhouse, heritage apple orchard and follies. Arboretum of 400 specimen trees and shrubs with wildlife pool beside the River Lugg.
bryansground.co.uk

July 21
4. The Laskett, Much Birch
The Laskett Gardens, designed by Sir Roy Strong and his wife, the late Julia Trevelyan Oman, are the largest private formal gardens to be created in England since 1945 consisting of four acres of stunning garden rooms including rose and knot gardens, fountains, statuary, topiary and a Belvedere from which to view the gardens from above. In 2015 a nymphaeum and small grotto were built in celebration of Sir Roy’s 80th birthday. Open for NGS on Sunday, July 21, 10am to 4pm.
thelaskettgardens.co.uk


June 9 and September 8 for NGS
5. The Brooks, Pontrilas
Golden Valley garden including one part-walled enclosed vegetable garden and greenhouse, orchard, ornamental, perennial, shade and shrub borders, wildlife pond, evolving arboretum cum coppice, and meadows with stunning views.
Surrounding a stone 1684 farmhouse (not open), the garden has mature elements, but much has been created since 2006s, with plans for further development.
marionet.co.uk/the_brooks

June 9
6. Brockhampton Cottage, Brockhampton
Created from scratch in 1999 by the owner and Tom Stuart-Smith, this hilltop garden looks south and west over miles of unspoilt countryside. On one side there is a woodland garden and five-acre wild flower meadow, and on the other a perry pear orchard with a lake, stream and arboretum in the valley below.
   The extensive borders are planted with drifts of perennials in the modern romantic style.

June 9
7. Broxwood Court, Leominster
Stunning 29 acre garden and arboretum, designed by W. Nesfield for the great-grandfather of the present owner. Magnificent yew hedges and 1k avenue of cedars and Scots pines. Spectacular view of Black Mountains, sweeping lawns, rhododendrons, gentle walks to summer house, chapel and ponds. Rose garden, mixed borders, rill, gazebo and fountain. Peacocks and white doves.

June 14
8. Hereford Cathedral Gardens
A guided tour of late 15th century historic award-winning gardens. Tours include colourful courtyard garden, an atmospheric cloisters garden enclosed by C15 buildings, the Vicars Choral garden, with plants with ecclesiastical connections and roses, the private Dean’s Garden and the Bishop’s Garden with fine trees and an outdoor chapel for meditation in ancient surroundings. College Hall holding 100 people available for teas and other refreshments.
Herefordcathedral.org

June 15, 16, 29, 30, October 12 and 13 for NGS; daily 10am to 5pm
9. Ralph Court Gardens
Twelve intriguing gardens created in the grounds of a gothic rectory. A family-orientated garden with a twist, incorporating an Italian Piazza, an African Jungle, Dragon Pool, Alice in Wonderland and the elves in their conifer forest and a new section ‘The Monet Garden’, are just a few of the themes in a garden that offers the visitor plenty to enjoy. Overlooking the Malvern Hills. 120-seater licensed restaurant.
Ralphcourtgardens.co.uk

June 18, 19 and 20 for NGS; open by arrangement June 1 and June 30
10. Hillcroft, Presteigne
The garden is part of a 5 acre site on the lower slopes of Wapley Hill in the beautiful Lugg Valley. The highlight in mid summer is the romantic Rose Walk, combining sixty roses with mixed herbaceous planting set in an old cider apple orchard. In addition to the garden area around the house, there is a secret garden, wild flower meadow and a vegetable and fruit area.
lorconsulting@hotmail.co.uk

June 29, 30 and August 4 and 5 for NGS
Open by arrangement until September 30.
11. Aulden Farm, Leominster
Informal country garden surrounding old farmhouse, 3 acres planted with wildlife in mind. Emphasis on structure and form, with a hint of quirkiness, a garden to explore with eclectic planting. Irises thrive around a natural pond, shady beds and open borders, seats abound, feels mature but ever evolving.
Auldenfarm.co.uk

June 21
12. Perrycroft, Malvern
Perrycroft is an Arts and Crafts house designed by CFA Voysey in 1895. High on the Malvern Hills, with magnificent views to the south and west, the garden has been developed over the past 20 years. Yew and box hedges, topiary, mixed and herbaceous borders, shrubs and roses, meadows, ponds and woodland combine to create a relaxed and varied garden with traditional and contemporary planting styles. Self-serve tea, coffee and cake in the Coach House.
Perrycroft.co.uk