LOOKING for something to do this weekend, apart from water your own garden?
The National Gardens Scheme sees private gardens open for charity. Pay a few quid, see some plants, drink tea, eat cake. What a great idea.
Badby and Newnham Gardens, Daventry, Northamptonshire, NN11 3AR open Sun June 12 (2-6pm).
Six gardens in two small villages. In Badby, three such houses, one opening for the first time, show differing styles of cottage gardens.
In Newnham, there is a three-acre organic garden around a picturesque C17 thatched cottage with lawns, densely planted borders, vegetable and cutting garden and paddocks with feature trees and, also opening for the first time, the garden of a garden designer with pools, herbaceous borders, vegetables and herbs developed as rooms among mature trees.
Hilltop
Shakespeares Cottage
The Lilacs
Southview Cottage
The Banks
Trifidia
Farthinghoe Gardens, Farthinghoe, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 5NZ Open Sun June 12 (2-6pm).
Four gardens each with its own character in a pretty stone built village.
Windy Ridge
The Old Rectory
Folly Cottage
The Old Rectory Stable House
Harpole Gardens, Harpole, Northamptonshire, NN7 4BX open Sunday 1-6pm.
Best known for its annual scarecrow festival (2nd weekend September) and delicious strawberries!
Millers
The Old Dairy
Brytten-Collier House
Orchard Cottage
30 High Street
19 Manor Close
The Close
Kilsby Gardens, Kilsby Village, Northamptonshire, CV23 8XP open Sunday 1-5pm
Kilsby was the site of one of the first skirmishes of the Civil War in 1642 and also gave its name to Stephenson’s nearby lengthy rail tunnel built in the 1830s.
Five attractive gardens within the village with very different characters. In one a C19 reservoir was discovered during creation of a new herbaceous bed. Some of the gardens open alternate years ensuring variety. New garden opening for the first time this year and always plants for sale.
Rainbow’s End
Moathouse Farm
5 The Lawns
6A Essen Lane
Pytchley House
Top Lodge, Glendon, nr Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 1QL open 1.30-5pm on Sunday.
Unspoilt rural stone, brick-built village. Interesting church with C13 tower and unusual C17 clock. Village includes several Gilbert Scott buildings
Pittams Farm
Stone Cottage
The Laurels
Wappenham Manor
Home Farm
Northamptonshire Gardens 