GARDENS TO VISIT

Gardens are now opening in England in support of the National Garden Scheme. Currently no gardens are opening in Wales. Visitors must pre-book tickets in advance at ngs.org.uk. Tickets for the gardens featured below and all others opening tomorrow are available now; tickets for next weekend will be available on Monday.

NEVILL HOLT HALL

Drayton Road, Nevill Holt, Nr Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 8EG

This sumptuous garden surrounding the ancient hall (not open) will have you spellbound. With original designs and planting by the Chelsea goldmedal winner Rupert Golby, the luxuriant borders will be at their peak, some facing on to spacious lawns shaded by picturesque cedar trees, others in the three walled gardens, where there are also gorgeous sweet pea displays up bamboo pyramids and immaculate rows of vegetables and other produce waiting to be harvested. Add in the further decoration of fine modern ornaments and you have the makings of a scintillating afternoon. Open tomorrow.

LEWIS COTTAGE

Spreyton, nr Crediton, Devon EX17 5AA

Hidden away deep in the mid-Devon countryside and looking out to the unspoilt landscape that surrounds it, the four-acre garden of Lewis Cottage is a place of pastoral tranquillity where spending time will revive your sense of well-being. It also manages to maintain an overall sense of easy naturalness and informality, which disguises the rich variety of different areas, from formal borders to natural woodland walks, fruit and veg and picking gardens. Wildlife is positively encouraged, not least in and around the large natural dew pond, and you will enjoy the sense that the whole place sits harmoniously within its rural setting. It is one of a number of Devon gardens open tomorrow.

Open tomorrow and other days in

July and August.

BELMONT PARK

Throwley, nr Faversham, Kent ME13 0HH

The magnificent house at Belmont is not open, but its spacious gardens are also a wonderful discovery. The elegant house, which was designed by Tatton Park architect Samuel Wyatt, is surrounded by spacious lawns and fine trees, including a pinetum, with some dating from the late 18th century. But the real gem is the walled garden that lies at some distance from the house, where you will discover a mouthwatering array of delights designed in 2000 by Arabella Lennox-Boyd. Enclosed by mellow brick walls, there are deep flower borders with climbers and wall plants behind, immaculate fruit and veg and some bravado touches such as golden hops (a nod to the Kentish hop gardens) trained over arbours, and apples and pears trained over an arched metal tunnel. Just a few miles away from Belmont is Doddington Place, also open.

Open tomorrow.