The National Garden Scheme opens privately owned gardens in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and the Channel Islands on selected dates for charity. It was founded in 1927 with the aim of “opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity.”
This year Swallowfield is offering eight gardens to visit on Sunday 4th June. A number are in the village itself or just outside, so there is a mix of walking to some, with those in different directions needing a car or bicycle to reach them comfortably. Whilst each provides its own character and interest, they all nestle in countryside by the Blackwater and Loddon rivers with an abundance of wildlife and lovely views. The garden owners, many of whom are members of the local Horticultural Society, are always happy to chat and share their enthusiasm and experience.
Norkett Cottage, Swallowfield, Berkshire, RG7 1QD
An artistic cottage-style garden with pond, greenhouse and vegetable patch. Well planted with some established shrubs and trees, but also a work in progress as owner is developing new borders for perennials, bulbs and roses. Chickens and rabbits.
Brambles, Swallowfield, Berkshire, RG7 1TH
Large, landscaped garden with cedar pavilion, herbaceous perennials, alpine bed, pond, large trees and chickens.
Bird In Hand House, The Street, Swallowfield, Berkshire, RG7 1QY
Village garden in a quiet rural village. Herbaceous style with emphasis on roses and clematis. Small pond, vegetable patch and greenhouse.
Lambs Farmhouse, Swallowfield, Berkshire, RG7 1PY
On the outskirts of the village, an attractive spacious garden with varied mature planting in beds. Garden has been developed in recent years by the owners, assisted by a horticulturalist.
The Firs, The Street, Swallowfield, Berkshire, RG7 1QY
A modern eco-garden with aquaponics. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system.
9 Foxborough, Swallowfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1RW
A garden that showcases how a ‘non plants person’ is making his new garden his own, whilst utilising the mature planting within the garden’s retained structure. There is also new planting including 10 new trees.
Suvikuja, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1PH
Larger than average suburban garden with herbaceous border and central bed. Some long-established shrubs and trees. New small wildlife pond.
Brierley House, The Street, Swallowfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1RE
A beautifully presented front and rear garden set in the village of Swallowfield with herbaceous borders, flowers, summerhouse and greenhouse.
Admission is £8 for adults with children free of charge. The gardens vary in size and design with a mix of walking to some whilst a car or bike are needed for others. Teas and cakes are on sale at Brambles, and some of the gardens sell plants. Tickets can either be bought in advance from the NGS website or on the day from the stand in the Swallowfield Medical Practice (SMP) which is opposite the Crown Pub in the centre of the village.
For more information, visit www.ngs.org.uk
