National Garden Scheme Open Gardens during July in Leicestershire

July is a great time to visit gardens when they are in full bloom. Every time you visit a garden which opens under the National Garden Scheme, you are donating to nursing and cancer charities. Last year over £3.1m was donated by the NGS .
You can find an garden opening near you on our website https://www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden. In July there are 35 gardens open in the locality of Syston and North Leicestershire many of which are wheelchair accessible, dog friendly and offer free admission for children.
Opening at the beginning of the month on the 3rd July, also the 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st is the lovely garden at Stoke Albany House (LE16 8PT) 4 acres of country house garden with sweeping lawns, mature trees and colourful herbaceous borders.
In July many of the scented roses will be in bloom, there is also a parterre, Mediterranean garden, heated greenhouse, water gardens and plenty of relaxing places to sit and enjoy the garden views.
Rose and Nepeta Arbour at Stroke Albany Garden
The weekend of 6th & 7th July is busy for Wigston gardens (LE18) a group which open their varied gardens starting with the unique wildlife garden at 7 Little Dale on the 6th. A maturing wildlife friendly garden with a meadow lawn, and a new wildlife pond. Entry to this garden includes a visit to the nearby 28 Gladstone Street, a town garden divided into gardening rooms, including a pond, unusual perennials, David Austin scented roses, a shade garden and Hosta theatre.
On the 7th July 7 Little Dale opens again together with 40 Rolleston Road, a nearby town garden with a willow arbour, mixed beds, a scented archway and borders packed with colourful plants. Both of these gardens are wheelchair and dog friendly.
There are a total of seven Gardens opening on the 7th July at Willoughby (LE8 6UH) with many different gardens to enjoy. Farmway is a mature plant lover’s garden with views across Leicestershire. John’s Wood is garden designed to attract a wildlife including wild flower areas and a large pond, all are a haven for butterflies. 1 Church Farm Lane is a well-stocked, medium sized garden, with lots of interest including mixed borders of trees, roses, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and climbers. Tubs, troughs and baskets add a splash of colour and summer colour. 2 Church Lane also has fruit and vegetable areas.
Kapalua has colourful borders backing onto open land with lovely views and this lovely lush planted seating area.
High Meadow garden has mixed perennial borders, a lovely shepherd’s hut, quiet seating areas and a backdrop of open views. Nearby 3 Orchard Road is a pretty south facing garden.
There are some great allotments on show and you get growing tips by visiting the Harborough Allotments (LE16 9BB) opening on the 7th July. There are two allotment sites, Stevens St with over 130 plots growing all types of veg, fruit & flowers, ponds, wild life area & small orchards. Northampton Rd is has 50 plots with polytunnel. There will be a demonstration of compost making and chance to meet with allotment holders. There are wide paths and the sites are wheelchair accessible.
Green Wicket Farm garden (LE17 4LR) is on the site of a working farm and you may find yourself sharing your visit with the farm animals. There is a pond and water features and many paths lead around the garden for the visitors to enjoy the varied planting. This garden is open on the 14th & 17th July and is wheelchair accessible.
These are just a few of our open gardens which offer many different gardening experiences to our visitors. For more details including directions, opening times and garden details visit the web site www.ngs.org.uk At all the gardens there is tea and lovely homemade cakes, and you can be assured of a warm welcome.