The best North Somerset gardens are open to visitors all year round. They’re exciting, creative and filled with fantastic ideas you’ll want to steal for your own green space. Go along and be inspired.
Tyntesfield House
It’s hard to believe that anything could come close to the Victorian gothic grandeur of Tyntesfield House itself. But, as always, the National Trust’s astonishingly beautiful gardens exceed all expectation. Whether you like stately and formal or your tastes run to wild flower meadows and abundant kitchen gardens, you’ll find them all and more at Tyntesfield. If you want to create a little heritage patch of your own, look out for sales of cuttings and plants in late spring and summer.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/
Clevedon Court
In the 14th century, Clevedon Court’s gardens mostly focused on food. More frivolous additions like flowers and follies came later and today’s gardens are both charming and productive. Think of a visit to Clevedon Court like a potted horticultural history and a tribute to the gentle North Somerset climate – the huge palm trees are proof of that. If you’re a keen gardener, join one of the guided garden tours and take a little National Trust know-how home with you.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clevedon-court/
Jasmine Cottage, Clevedon
Jasmine Cottage is the type of garden you never want to leave. Lovingly created over several years it couldn’t be more quintessentially ‘English Cottage’ and delightful. In June and July 2015, the garden is open to visitors as part of the NGS Gardens Open for Charity scheme. It’s not often you get this close to such a personal passion so save the dates - June 11th and 25th & July 9th and 23rd.
www.ngs.org.uk/gardens/find-a-garden/Garden.aspx?id=10025
Portishead Open Gardens
Last year Portishead was a gold medal winner in the Britain in Bloom South West Regional Finals. So, when the town opens its gardens to visitors this year, can you resist going along to snoop on the secrets of their success? We can’t and on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June we don’t have anything planned apart from a trip to Portishead Open Gardens. Over 15 gardens are opening their gates on both days and enjoy afternoon teas, plant sales and book stalls on the day.
Blaise Castle Estate
Blaise Castle Estate gardens cover almost every gardening style imaginable. From miles of untamed woodland with picturesque stone bridges, waterfalls, paths and towering trees to elegant formal planting, parkland, play gardens and a community garden – better known as the ‘secret garden’. Definitely plan to spend more than one day out here this summer, every inch of beautiful Blaise is free and the community garden has regular open days – if last year is anything to go by, you won’t be disappointed.
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