About NGS

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ngs – gardens open for charity

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With over 3700 gardens to choose from, click here to plan your visit .

The NGS publishes The Yellow Book, a guide to over 3,700 gardens – the so-called ‘bible’ of garden visiting … Order your copy here !

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Interested in opening with us? Click here for more information on how to open your garden for the NGS .

Every year NGS gardens across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors. Most gardens which open for the NGS are privately owned and open just a few times each year. Some gardens open as part of a group with the whole community involved. The gardens give all the money raised directly to us (including from the sale of teas and plants); the only exceptions being in some cases they ask that a small proportion goes to a nominated local charity.

Our tradition of opening gardens of quality, character and interest is supported by our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales.

Did you know that we currently give away more than £2.5 million each year to nursing, caring and gardening charities and we have given them a total more than £25 million in the last 15 years. Our office and overheads are small and most of the work is done by volunteers in our county teams and so currently more than 80p in every £1 raised at garden openings goes directly to our beneficiaries.

We were delighted this year to be invited to open our own garden, here at THE Gardening WEBSITE under the ngs gardens open for charity scheme – PLEASE support this charity by visiting some of these fabulous gardens OR opening your own garden

Open Your Garden

Do you have an interesting garden of quality and character?
Are you willing to raise much needed money for charity?

Opening your garden is a rewarding way to share your passion and hard work whilst raising much needed funds for charities. Some 4000 gardens in England and Wales take part in the National Gardens Scheme and collectively we support charities including Marie Curie Cancer Care, Crossroads Care, Help the Hospices and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Many people continue to open their garden year on year because they find that the experience is such an enjoyable one. You may wish to read some of the anecdotes, shared with us by those that already support the NGS, to get a feel for why individuals open their gardens.

The size of your garden is not critical, and many NGS gardens are typical back gardens. Experience shows us that garden visitors are not attracted purely by the extent of a garden, people are looking for interesting planning and design, a good range of plants and gardens which have been tended with love and care, and quite importantly, a good cup of tea.

You could decide to open once a year, although a number of people do find that opening twice is ideal and adequately enables them to justifiably showcase their hard work. As the climate in Britain can be unpredictable opening twice can be advisable to ensure a greater chance of fine weather. Some of our very dedicated gardeners like to be able to exhibit different seasons in their gardens and therefore choose to open to the public in the spring, summer and autumn.

TV presenter,Carol Klein, of BBC 2’s ‘Open Gardens’ series says "Every year, new gardens join The National Gardens Scheme to help raise money for caring and nursing charities. If you think your garden fits the bill, please contact your local volunteer team who will help you.”
Check List

Is your garden interesting?
Is the planting and/or design attractive?
Is your garden well maintained?
Can you offer refreshments if required?
Do you enjoy talking about your garden?
Are you ready for a fun day?

If you think you could open your garden and raise funds, why not discuss the possibility with our friendly volunteer team friendly volunteer team. You can also download our information leaflet or call 01483 211535 for further details.

You don’t need a garden worthy of a gold at Chelsea to be part of NGS!

Other ways to support NGS:

• Visit a garden
• Make a donation
• Sign-up to our enewsletter
• Join our volunteer team
• Buy the Yellow Book

Showing 1–15 of 20 results

GARDENING CHARITIES

The National Trust

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 536 Views
Christian Aid

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL GETS THE ULTIMATE GREEN GARDEN

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 268 Views
GARDENING CHARITIES

Crossroads Care

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 313 Views
Christian Aid

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL GETS THE ULTIMATE GREEN GARDEN

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 268 Views
GARDENING CHARITIES

Help The Hospices

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 321 Views
GARDENING CHARITIES

Macmillan Cancer Support

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 326 Views
GARDENING CHARITIES

Marie Curie Cancer Care

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 334 Views
The National Trust

National Trust EVENTS

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 297 Views
The National Trust

National Trust GARDENS and FOOD

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 337 Views
The National Trust

National Trust HISTORIC PROPERTIES and COLLECTIONS

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 335 Views
The National Trust

National Trust KEY NEWS STORIES

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 357 Views
The National Trust

Petworth House and Park

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 323 Views
GARDENING CHARITIES

Queens Nursing Institute

  • 4 years ago
  • The Gardening Website
  • 264 Views