Having had to miss out last year, this year we are back to exploring some beautiful local gardens. Sadly, some of the usual members of the Open Gardens Scheme are not going ahead this year, those that are may need to be pre-booked, so check details. Even if pre-booking is not essential, it may be wise to do so if numbers are limited
9 May: 1.30-4.30pm – The Water Gardens
Japanese landscaped garden, originally part of Coombe Wood Nursery, planted in the 1860s. Around nine acres with ponds, streams and waterfalls. Warren Road, Kingston KT2 7LF. £5: Pre-booking essential
23 May: 2-5pm / 30 May: 6-8pm – 65, 67, 69, 71, 73 Kew Green
Five adjacent gardens along Kew Green, backing onto the Thames, covering nearly 1.5 acres. Each a little gem of beauty and individual charm. Kew Green TW9 3AH. £8: Pre-booking not essential
23 May: 6-8pm – 7 St George’s Road
Exuberant displays of Old English roses and vigorous climbers with unusual herbaceous perennials. Pond with bridge converted into lush bog garden, waterfall. Twickenham TW1 1QS. £7: Prebooking not essential
6 June: 2.30-5.30pm – 26, 59, 60, 61, 62 Marksbury Ave
Five very different gardens, including one with many New Zealand natives, a camomile lawn and fruit trees; another is a pure English cottage garden and one was created from scratch in 2018. All within a couple of minutes walk of each other. Kew TW9 4JE. £7: Pre-booking not essential
20 June: 2-5pm – Trumpeter’s House & Sarah’s Garden
A two-acre garden on the site of what was once Richmond Palace. Ancient Tudor walls covered in roses and climbers, with unusual shrubs and trees. Old Palace Yard, Richmond TW9 1PD. £5: Pre-booking not essential
20 June: 3-6pm – Ormeley Lodge
Large walled garden with wide herbaceous borders and box hedges, orchard and wildflowers, knot garden, aviary and chickens. Ham Gate Ave TW10 5HB. £5: Pre-booking not essential
11 July: 2-6pm – 28 Taylor Avenue & 31 West Park Road
One with verdant gardens, mature trees and shrubs, the other a modern botanical garden with an oriental twist. Kew TW9 4ED. £5: Pre-booking not essential
8 Aug: 5.30-7pm – 20 Beechwood Ave
Minimalist layout offset with plant combinations, topiary and sculpture. Kew TW9 4DE. £5: Pre-booking not essential
All gardens are part of the National Open Garden Scheme and you can pre-book at ngs.org.uk.
Find out what else is happening locally here.