In Spring, Pork Belly’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of… photographing flowers.
After a long, dreary winter spent in semi-hibernation (aside from the occasional baking frenzy or misty morning photoshoot), Pork Belly is once again ready to emerge into the world. And by “world,” I mean gardens. Glorious, blooming gardens.
Because spring has arrived, and with it comes the best reason to dust off your walking boots and questionable floral shirts: The National Garden Scheme is in full swing.
Now, if you’ve never heard of it, the NGS is basically Britain’s answer to that nosey neighbour in all of us. It lets you peek into thousands of private gardens across the UK, from sprawling estates to cosy backyard paradises, all while raising money for charity. Essentially, it’s garden snooping with a purpose.
From Tiny Patios to Vast Country Estates
One of the joys of the NGS is its sheer variety. One day you’re admiring the manicured perfection of a stately home, and the next you’re stumbling across a wild and woolly country garden that looks like it’s just been adopted by fairies. Even tiny town patios get a look-in, with their clever use of space, quirky features, and surprisingly impressive plants in pots.
And you don’t need to know your delphiniums from your dahlias to enjoy it all. Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturist or just there for the cake, there’s something for everyone. Art trails, wildlife havens, kid-friendly spots, or peaceful hideaways for those who just need a break from the chaos of daily life, there’s an NGS garden that’s just right for you.
Gardens That Give Back (and So Can You)
The National Garden Scheme is good for your health and your spirits, but it’s also good for others. The scheme raises millions each year for charities like Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, and Carers Trust, not to mention organisations that champion community gardening and mental health initiatives.
None of this would be possible without the heroic efforts of volunteers, visitors, and, of course, the garden owners who graciously open their gates to let us trample through their flowerbeds (metaphorically not literally).
It All Starts with Snowdrops
If you’re still shaking off the winter blues, what better antidote than a stroll through a snowdrop-strewn garden? These plucky little flowers are the ultimate spring warriors, braving ice and snow to carpet the ground with their delicate white blooms.
Take Highdown Gardens in Worthing, for example. This chalk garden is a haven for early spring flowers like snowdrops, aconites, and crocuses. It’s also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with bare trees that make spotting robins, wrens, and woodpeckers easy (well, easier). And if you’re terrible at bird ID, let me introduce you to the Merlin app, your new best friend for nodding knowingly at bird songs.
Highdown’s 8.5 acres are packed with history and rare plants, thanks to Sir Frederick Stern’s seed-collecting antics 100 years ago. It’s free to visit daily, though special tours and NGS fundraisers ask for a small fee. Just mind the steep paths on wet days, or you’ll find yourself becoming one with the chalk.
Small but Perfectly Formed
Another of our favourites is The Old Vicarage in Washington, West Sussex. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm. Spring flowers bloom alongside a quirky stumpery and a Japanese garden complete with a miniature waterfall. Bees buzz lazily, wood smoke lingers in the air, and you can’t help but feel a little more at peace with the world.
Venturing Further Afield
The beauty of the National Garden Scheme is that there’s always something open, wherever you are in the UK. Head to Scotland for dramatic highland gardens, explore Wales’s lush green valleys, or dip into Northern Ireland’s historic estates. And let’s not forget the charming cottage gardens of the Cotswolds, the manicured grandeur of Kent’s Garden of England, or the rugged wildness of Yorkshire’s moors.
Some highlights from previous years include Stone Cross in Crowborough and Five Oaks Cottage near Petworth, but who knows where Pork Belly and I will wander next? Armed with a camera and a fierce love of cake, we’re ready to explore.
Need to Find a Garden? There’s an App for That
With over 3,500 gardens across the UK opening their gates each year, you’re spoilt for choice. Use the National Garden Scheme website’s garden finder or download their app for last-minute inspiration and directions.
Big or small, each garden has its own charm, and whether you’re there for the flowers, the wildlife, or just a slice of homemade Victoria sponge, you’ll leave with a smile on your face and the warm glow of knowing you’ve done some good.
So grab your camera, your comfiest shoes, and maybe a waterproof (this is Britain, after all), and dive into the wonderful world of the National Garden Scheme. You might just discover your new favourite garden.
And if you see someone lurking in the bushes with a camera and a slice of cake, come and say hello. Chances are, it’s Pork Belly.
A Brief History of the National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme (NGS) has its roots in the early 20th century. In 1926, Elsie Wagg, a council member of the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), proposed the idea of opening private gardens to the public to raise funds for community nursing. The following year, in 1927, the National Garden Scheme was officially launched, with 609 gardens opening their gates and raising £8,000, a significant sum at the time.
Over the decades, the NGS has flourished, expanding its reach and impact. Today, it supports a range of nursing and health charities, continuing its tradition of combining garden appreciation with philanthropy.
Do you have a favourite National Garden Scheme location? We’d love to hear about it.
Where to next?
• Lost Gardens of Heligan
• 7 places to see spring flowers
• Wakehurst – a wild and wonderful botanic garden