Beautiful Lancaster gardens open for charity National Garden Scheme

A picturesque Lancaster garden will open its gates to visitors this weekend as part of a national event supporting health charities.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands, and raises money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

This year, Dr Nick Walmsley is giving visitors the chance to see his gardens at Aspley’s Barn in Thurnham on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7.

The garden covers three quarters of an acre in a rural setting, surrounded by fields, with a south facing lawn and sunny herbaceous borders. Then four interlinking lawns form tranquil garden rooms shaded by trees and shrubs.

There are also a rabbit, chickens, sheep and two dogs to manage in the large space.

Dr Nick said: ‘’When our family upped sticks to move to the country in 2020, we found the large garden had been managed for a number of years with a hedge cutter and weed killer.

‘’With no real gardening knowledge, I decided to let nature bring back what it fancied and go from there.

‘’It’s taken a lot of work, managing what’s here. There are a couple of big ponds with water lilies. What I lack in expertise I try to make up for in effort, and I love being outside and working hard in the outdoors.

‘’It’s far from job done, but then if gardens were made to be finished, those of us who love being out in them would be short of things to do.’’

Visitors will be able to judge the results of Nick’s endeavours when the garden opens on Main Road, Thurnham nr Lancaster LA2 0DP.

Admission is £4, children free, and there’ll be teas and cakes available. There’s also plenty of room for a picnic.

Find out more at https://ngs.org.uk/