Beautiful Swindon gardens open to the public

The National Garden Scheme has published a list of the gardens that will be open to the public in June, including a number in Swindon.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

New for Swindon this year is 20 Jubilee Estate in Purton, Swindon, SN5 4EU. The garden will be open on Sat 7, Sun 8 June, Sat 9, Sun 10 Aug (10-4). Admission is £5, children free.

Set in the picturesque village of Purton, this small cottage-style garden is a hidden gem packed with roses and planted for wildlife. Divided into different areas, with shaded pergola, sunny lawn and wildlife pond. Home-made cream teas are served on the patio.

The Old Vicarage in Church Lane, Ashbury, Swindon, SN6 8LZ will be open on Sat 7 June (10-3). Admission is £5 per person, children are free.

Tea, coffee & cake will be avaliable. Within The Vale of the White Horse, Ashbury is a picturesque village with thatched cottages and a friendly atmosphere. Nestled between the village pub and St Mary’s Church is the garden of The Old Vicarage. The garden surrounds the house and is made up of a floriferous walled garden, a wildflower meadow, an extensive kitchen garden, filled with flowers, as well as vegetables, plus more.

Hannington Village Gardens, Swindon, SN6 7RP will open to the public on Sun 8 June, from 10.30am until 5pm. Combined admission £10, children free. Tea, coffee & cake in Hannington Village Hall. Refreshments in aid of Village Hall.

Salthrop House in Basset Down, Wroughton, Swindon, SN4 9QP will open on Fri 13, Sat 14 June from 11am until 4pm.  Admission is £6.50, children free. Home-made teas will be available.

Salthrop House is a manor house garden set on the edge of the Marlborough Downs. A tremendous variety of perennials, shrubs, borders and pots unfurl themselves across this romantic garden and surround the sweeping lawn. You can wind your way through the woodland paths, enjoy a moment of peace.

A pop-up open garden will take place Saturday 14 June, from 11am until 5pm at Strattenborough Castle Farm, Watchfield, Swindon. Admission is  £7, children are free. Tea, coffee & cake.

Formerly uninhabited and with derelict, overgrown grounds, the current family moved here in 1996 and, over the years, have sensitively woven a beautiful garden that enhances the spectacular setting of this house steeped in history and ghosts. There’s a courtyard garden, a walled garden, an orchard, a vegetable garden with raised beds, an area of woodland and a sweeping lawn in front of the castle façade. Spectacular views north across farmland and Coleshill Park and south to the ancient Ridgeway, Uffington Fort and White Horse Hill can be enjoyed.

A spokesperson said: “Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated over £74 million to nursing and health charities and in 2024 made an annual donation of over £3.5 million. Our core beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

“The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects.

“It is always best to check the website before leaving for your garden visit The National Garden Scheme.”

For further information, including travel details, visit: www.ngs.org.uk