Rose Cottage, Smithams Hill, East Harptree, Bristol, BS40 6BY, will be open on Sunday, 17th April from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Garden owners, Bev and Jenny, would like to invite you to visit their one acre hillside cottage garden which they are opening in aid of the National Gardens Scheme. The garden is carpeted with primroses, spring bulbs and hellebores, along with other plants and boasts panoramic views over the Chew Valley. Don’t forget to pay the wildlife area and pond a visit.

Bordered by a stream and established mixed hedging, the garden has plenty of seating areas where you can partake of the views as well as the music of Congresbury Brass Band, while you enjoy a cup of tea with homemade cake.

Due to the garden having narrow paths and being on a hill, there is very limited access for wheelchair users.

The Gardens at Kilver Court open the following week for the ngs on Tuesday, 19th April from 10 a.m., with last entry to the garden at 4 p.m. They have a beauty and serenity which is quite unique and have been enjoyed by thousands of visitors who return again and again to enjoy its special qualities.

Featured on several TV programmes, the 3½ acre garden was first landscaped in the 1800s by the then owner, Ernest Jardine MP, for workers at his lace factory to enjoy. During the 1960s the site was acquired by the Showering family (famous for Cider and Babycham).

Some slopes and the rockery are not accessible to wheelchair users, but may be viewed from flatter areas of the garden.

Disabled parking only, for garden visitors, in the lower car park. Further details of this and other open gardens can be found at: www.ngs.org.uk

Judith Stanford