CIRENCESTER will celebrate summer with more than 40 gardeners opening their gardens to raise money for charity. This year, gardens will be open on five Sundays in June and July (dates to be listed weekly in the Standard).

The first of these events will be held from 2-5pm on Sunday, when gardens will be open in Watermoor, Corinium Gate and Purley Road areas of the town at 11 & 73 Corinium Gate; Purley Road Gardens and allotments; The Croft, Lewis Lane (entrance via Carpenters Lane); 55 Ashcroft Road and 20 St Peter’s Road.

This group of town centre gardens has a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees and will give ideas of what can be achieved in a small- to medium-sized garden. The Croft, a block of flats built in the confines of a walled garden, has grounds that have been landscaped with a variety of interesting shrubs, climbers and trees to give a natural effect. Purley Road allotments are run by a group of local residents with an enthusiasm for ‘grow your own’ who will be able to give tips on how best to grow fruit and vegetables.

Admission to all gardens is £4 (accompanied children free). Tea and cakes will be available at 11 St Peter’s Road and Purley Road allotments. Plants will be for sale at some of the gardens.

This year’s Open Gardens event is raising money for Cirencester Housing for Young People, who work with young people in need of accommodation in Cirencester, chypthecharity.org.uk

Gardens open for the National Gardens Scheme

Friday

Woodlands Farm, Winchcombe 10am-4pm, many different areas of interest. Double borders frame ornamental pond. Hornbeam hedge encloses an impressive stone monolith.

Saturday

Cotswold Farm, Nr Duntisbourne Abbots, Cirencester, 2-5pm, plants and teas, Arts & Crafts garden on different levels with bog and walled gardens. Croquet and toys on the lawn. Picnics welcome.

Woodlands Farm, Winchcombe 10am-4pm, many different areas of interest. Double borders frame ornamental pond. Hornbeam hedge encloses an impressive stone monolith.

Slad Valley House, Stroud, noon to 4pm, teas, approx one acre steep garden. Restoration work in progress. Numerous trees, shrubs, flowers and borders.

Sunday

Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, noon to 6pm, plants and teas, unique terraced garden of a plantsman. Many rare plants which thrive in warm micro-climate against stone walls of mediaeval castle. Butterfly house.

Cotswold Farm, Nr Duntisbourne Abbots, Cirencester, 2-6pm, plants and teas, Arts & Crafts garden on different levels with bog and walled gardens. Croquet and toys on the lawn. Picnics welcome.

The Matara Meditative Garden, Kingscote, near Tetbury, 1-5pm, teas, Trees of life – enjoy the tranquil beauty of the gardens.

Oakridge Lynch gardens, Oakridge Lynch, 2-6pm, plants and teas, five small to medium lovely gardens packed with interesting plants in beautiful hillside village.

The Old Rectory, Avening, 2-6pm, teas and plants, three acre garden. Mature woodland, stream and Japanese bridge. Shady planting, rose and mixed borders, wild garden. Steep steps and banks in places.

8 Star Lane, Avening 2-6pm, plants and teas, Hillside cottage garden. Rose circle, pond, hotbed and wooded area. Romantic plant lover’s paradise.

THIS year Langford near Lechlade celebrates over 25 years of opening its gardens under the National Gardens Scheme. To mark this silver jubilee at least 25 private gardens in Langford will open to visitors.

The gardens vary from classic small cottage gardens, and rather wilder gardens filled with fragrant and edible delights through to large formal gardens. They include the very restful garden created by the late Sir Hardy Amies, who for over 55 years dressed Her Majesty the Queen.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to visit St Matthew’s, the village’s grade 1 listed late Saxon church, and hear its bells.

Entry £5 and under 12s free.