Spring is finally here which is the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy the secret gardens across Essex.
There are plenty of events to enjoy over the coming weeks and heading into May.
The National Garden Scheme (NGS) gives unique access to private gardens across the country, including in Essex, and it raises money for nursing and health charities through admissions, tea, and cake.
Tickets to view the secret and private gardens can be purchased on the NGS website and many of them will allow you to turn up on the day.
When are the next secret garden openings in Essex?
9 Beresford Gardens, in Benfleet, is opening tomorrow.
A suburban garden adjoining ancient woodland rich with wildlife, it features a pond, lawns and borders with mixed planting providing colour and interest through the seasons.
Feeringbury Manor, in Coggeshall Road, Feering, has an opening on Thursday.
This peaceful ten-acre garden has two ponds and features spectacular tulips and blossoms leading to a huge number of colourful plants.
Pollyfield, in Chapel Road, Langham, has an opening on Wednesday.
This mature garden covers one and a half acres and consists of several areas including a formal lawn, pond, and patio areas.
Barnards Farm, in Brentwood Road, West Horndon, has an opening on Thursday.
Visitors are invited to climb the Belvedere for a wider view or take the miniature railway for a woodland adventure.
The garden features spring bulbs and blossom, summer beds and borders, ponds, lakes and streams, and a walled vegetable plot. There is also a 'Japanese garden' with impressive sculptures.
Loxley House, Robin Hood Road, Brentwood, has an opening next Saturday.
This town garden has a colourful patio with pots and containers and a lawn circular beds surrounded by hedges, herbaceous borders, trees and climbers. It also boasts two water features, one a Japanese theme and another with ferns in a quiet seating area.
Bucklers Farmhouse, in Buckleys Lane, Coggeshall, has an opening next Sunday.
This traditional country garden features blowsy borders, yew hedges, topiary, and a little knot garden. It spreads across two acres and has been created by its owners over the last 50 years.
Green Island, in Park Road, Ardleigh, has an opening on Sunday, May 7.
It promises to be a garden for all seasons and dubs itself “a plantsman’s paradise”. Carved within 20 acres of mature woodland are huge island beds, a Japanese garden, a terrace, gravel, seaside and water gardens, all packed with rare and unusual plants.
Scripps House, in Cut Hedge Lane, Coggeshall, has an opening on Friday, May 12.
This large garden includes mature woodland and is divided into small areas including a walled pool garden and a spring garden. An ornamental pond is a home to ducks and visitors can also enjoy an ample vegetable garden and fruit cage, an orchard, and a chicken run.
More information about the gardens and the work of the National Garden Scheme can be found on the NGS website.
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