Look beyond the garden gate this summer holiday

Visiting a private garden isn’t just for adults – there’s plenty of fun to be had this summer holiday at the National Garden Scheme’s family-friendly gardens, which promise a warm welcome, homemade cake and a great value day out for the whole family.

There are over 100 family-friendly gardens open across England and Wales over the school break, with everything from miniature railways, veg plots and fairy gardens, to mazes and literature-themed trails to keep younger visitors amused all afternoon long.

Offering great value for money, most of the National Garden Scheme family-friendly openings offer free entry for children and the average adult admission is just £4.50, with homemade cake and teas priced much lower than many other family destinations.

George Plumptre, CEO of the National Garden Scheme, said: “Being outdoors, having fun and learning about nature is especially important when we’re young, and there’s no better way to do this than in some of Britain’s most extraordinary private gardens.

“It’s fantastic that many of our volunteers have gone that extra mile to create exciting and magical gardens that will appeal to younger visitors, so families can enjoy making memories together this summer. 

“We also offer budget-friendly entry fees, tea and homemade cake, from which the funds go to nursing and caring charities like Marie Curie, Carers Trust and Parkinson’s UK, so visiting a National Garden Scheme garden is a win-win all round.”

The National Garden Scheme also provide resources to encourage children to get enthusiastic about the outdoors this summer - with a nature trail, colouring sheets, recipes and crafts. Visitngs.org.uk/garden-activities to try out some garden-inspired ideas and download the resources.

Visit www.ngs.org.uk/family to discover your nearest family-friendly garden – listed in county order.