Secret gardens go public

And with more than 3,500 gardens set to open under the National Gardens Scheme, 2012 holds the prospect of many a lazy Sunday (or any day for that matter) strolling round some of the most beautiful private gardens in Britain.

Founded in 1927, the NGS has raised getting on for £50m for charity – needy causes including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, Crossroads – Caring for Carers and others.

Since its inception, the NGS has raised and distributed tens of millions of pounds to support these charities and is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest single donor. Similarly, the NGS is the biggest single donor to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

And all this is because so many individuals are prepared to open their gardens – and so many members of the public are prepared to pay to visit them.

The NGS’s famous Yellow Book, which lists all those gardens and their owners, has become a bit of a Bible for the hundreds of thousands who love examining the beds and borders of total strangers.

One of the earliest openers in Yorkshire this year is Austwick Hall, near Settle.

Set in the dramatic limestone scenery of the Dales, the garden nestles into a steeply wooded hillside. Extensive drifts of the common single and double snowdrops are an impressive sight in the woodland setting. The paths may be slippery so sensible footwear is recommended.

The gardens are open on February 18, 19, 22, 25 & 26 and March 3 & 4 from 11am-4pm. Admission £3 (children free).

Details from (015242 51794). www.austwickhall.co.uk

www.ngs.org.uk

For a booklet detailing NGS garden openings in Yorkshire, send an SAE to Felicity Bowring, Lawkland Hall, Austwick, Lancaster LA2 8AT.