Five of Hertfordshire's most beautiful gardens will once again open their gates to the public later this month.

On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April, budding gardeners of every taste will be able to wander around some of the most picturesque gardens the county has to offer.

Among them is a plant-lover's paradise in Letchworth Garden City, an informal orchard in Wheathampstead, and a formal garden around a modern classical house in Bedmond. 

There is also a contemporary space behind a 1930s semi in St Albans, as well as The Old Rectory in Sarratt - a wild 20-acre garden with specimen trees, a sculpture collection and semi-ancient woodland with a stunning view over the Chess valley and the Chilterns.

For more details on all the gardens click here.

It is all part of The National Garden Scheme, which gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

A spokesperson for the scheme said: "Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors we have donated over £60 million to nursing and health charities, and made a donation of £2.88 million in 2020.

"Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, we are now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK and our beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, Parkinson’s UK and Carers Trust."

Visitors are reminded that pre-booking is essential for some of the gardens. For more information email kerrie.lloyddawson@ngs.org.uk.