Gardens open to the public in Tysoe this weekend - for the first time ever

Ten ten enchanting Tysoe gardens are opening for the first time to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support through the National Garden Scheme. The gardens include that of Julia Sewell (pictured), Warwickshire organiser for the NGS for the past 12 years and can be seen on Saturday and Sunday, from 2pm-5pm.

The event includes an organically grown walled garden, a living shed roof, a farmhouse garden, the Old Policeman’s and Old Butcher’s gardens and a walk to Tysoe Windmill from where there is a a memorable view of Elizabethan manor house, Compton Wynates, below. Cream teas will be served in the village hall with cold drinks at Garden Cottage.

Mrs Sewell said: “Everyone assumes I’m a frightfully upmarket gardener, I’m absolutely not. My passion is trees - I look to the future. Here at Dinsdale House we have roses which luckily can cope with being at the bottom of a hill where water doesn’t really drain away”.

Since 1927, one of the great pleasures of British spring and summer has been to visit lovingly tended, prvately-owned gardens in bloom and bud, whether formal gardens in country estates, the more intimate village cottage garden, or small, carefully cultivated back plots, all of which are opened under the banner of the National Gardens Scheme charity.

“There is a double benefit to visiting NGS gardens. Time is spent happily in beautifully tranquil settings that are the pride and joy of their owners, followed by the option of tea with scrumptious home-baked cakes, but also with the knowledge that the entrance fee paid by each visitor contributes to the outstanding work of national cancer care charities.

“Their enjoyment of garden visiting funds vital end-of-life palliative care. In the last ten years, the NGS has donated £24.5 million to nursing, caring and gardening charities,” said Mrs Sewell.