15 private gardens in County Durham are open to the public in summer

The National Garden Scheme (NGS) has announced details of its events in County Durham for the summer.

NGS raises money for care and health charities through entrance fees, tea and cake.

For more information or to book your visit, go to NGS website.

📷The Mansion, Steveton @NGSBeds
📷Crumble Cottages @cumbriangs
📷Bickham House @devonngs
📷 Halton Park House @lancsngs
To find a beautiful garden open for charity this week near you, visit our website👇https://t.co/wFWbLIRhNn#NationalGardenScheme #wisteria pic.twitter.com/3DGXDonWGC

— National Garden Program (@NGSOpenGardens) May 17, 2023

In May and June you can explore private gardens in County Durham

Nag’s Head Farm

Location: Croft Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2SD

Opening: May 25th and June 30th

There are three gardens to explore at Nags Head Farm. Stroll through the late spring flower beds and wild pond and take a peek at the vegetable garden.

2 Hillside Cottages

Location: Low Etherley, Bishop Auckland, Durham, DL14 0EZ

Opening: June 4th

Visit this old cottage garden and see the pond, shrubs and greenhouse full of cacti and succulents.

Willow Burn Hospice

Location: Howden Bank, Lanchester, County Durham, DH7 0BF

Openings: June 11th

This garden is a mix of natural and cultivated areas and offers excellent views across the Derwent Valley from the hospice.

Oliver Ford Garden

Location: Longedge Lane, Rowley, Consett, County Durham, DH8 9HG

Openings: June 11th

This three-acre garden was laid out and planted by the owner and BBC Gardener of the Year as a space for quiet reflection.

While you take a moment to think, expect to see a creek and a wild pond.

From shrubs to ponds, there are many different garden features to see in the county (Image: Canva)

The Stables, Rose Cottage, 13 Heugh Hall Row and Old Quarrington Gardens

Location: Old Quarrington, Bowburn, Durham, County Durham, DH6 5NN

Openings: June 25th

The NGS website states: “Three very different gardens in the hamlet of Old Quarington. The Stables is a large family garden full of hidden surprises and sweeping views.

“The main garden is approximately one hectare in area with a gravel garden, vegetable patch, orchard, play area, lawn and woodland gardens.

“There are another 4 hectares to explore including wild ponds, forests, meadows, chickens, ducks and alpacas.

“Number 13 was developed over 20 years with many small garden rooms including a rose garden, a white garden and a small connecting garden with ferns, viburnum, birches and a cercidiphyllum japoniocum.

“There is a pond and herb beds with perennials and grasses. There are many roses scattered throughout the garden and there is a greenhouse dedicated to a large brown turkey fig.

“The main garden at Rose Cottage is planted with wildlife friendly flowers, has slate paths and a pond that attracts two newt species. There is a Mediterranean area to the rear and a woodland garden with a stream beyond.”

Holmeslands

Location: Cleasby, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2QY

Openings: June 25th

This is a semi-formal garden with an orchard and a large vegetable patch. This also includes bed and climbing roses as well as standard roses and much more.

📷Chilham Castle @ngskent
📷Chilworth Manor @surreyngs
📷The old vicarage @essexngs
📷Fittleworth House @sussexwestngs
If you are looking for wisteria tips, follow the link below to read Mark’s top tips 👇https://t.co/DKdi89w9ui#Gardensaregoodforyou #wisteria pic.twitter.com/8a8AXCYuYy

— National Garden Program (@NGSOpenGardens) May 16, 2023

High Bank Farm

Location: Cleasby Road, Stapleton, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2QE

Openings: June 25th

The front garden with lots of roses leads to the orchard and the back garden includes a cottage garden and a summer house. All lie beside the rippling water of the fishpond.

Croft Road Hidden Gardens, Oxney Gardens, Oxney Cottage, New Cottage, Oxney Flats Farm

Location: Croft Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 2SD

Openings: June 30th

The NGS website states: “Five very different and interesting gardens, rightly called ‘Hidden Gardens’ as they are not visible from the road.

“Oxney Cottage is a very pretty cottage garden with lawns, herbaceous borders and roses, colorful and varied unusual plants.

“Nags Head Farm has a beautiful stream that runs along a sloping garden with a variety of plants and leads to a quiet, peaceful courtyard. There is a large vegetable garden in which stands a magnificent greenhouse with lush vines. A forest walk leads to a foil tunnel, a viewpoint and a wildflower meadow.

“Orchard Gardens is a large, interesting garden with mixed planting, tree stump sculptures, colorful themed beds, fruit trees and various imaginative ornaments.

“Oxney Flatts has well stocked herbaceous borders and a wildlife pond. The new cottage garden features mixed herb beds, an orchard and vegetable garden and a newly created wildlife pond.”