What an amazing turn out we had last weekend at Berriew for their village opening with around 360 visitors and a massive £3,500 raised for the National Garden Scheme health and well being charities. A huge thank you to our garden owners, supporters and volunteers for all their hard work in making the day such a success.
Hot on the heels of Berriew comes the last village opening this year at the beautiful village of Guilsfield (SY21 9ND) just a few miles from Welshpool. This first time opening for the NGS includes a scarecrow trail which is sure to appeal to families with primary-age children. Throughout the village – and in two of our gardens – are some 40 scarecrows created by the villagers and inspired by book characters. Collect the trail sheet for a suggested donation of £1 (all proceeds to Guilsfield School).
A group of four delightful gardens will be open, plus the Grade I listed St Aelhaiarns Church set in an oval churchyard with ancient yew trees uniquely listed as Grade II in the Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Interest in Wales by CADW.
1 Coed Y Glyn is an interesting all year-round garden featuring many roses & clematis which scramble over walls, arches and pergolas lending space for several restful seating areas. At The Mill, a water powered corn mill in use until the 1960s, find meandering paths and mature trees including many acers, fruiting Cornus kousa var. Chinensis, lodgepole pine and much more. A wildlife friendly pond, shady area and rockery includes pleasant seating areas.
In Acrefield Avenue, no. 21 has mature trees, shrubs, roses and bedding plants all beautifully maintained and backing on to a nature reserve. Find both shaded and sunny seating areas to rest a while and enjoy the sights and scents. At nearby no. 31, the owner has created cottage style borders with a wealth of planters containing hostas, ferns, summer bedding, hydrangeas and more.
Signs in the village will direct you to the village school where there is plenty of parking. Admission tickets to cover all four gardens plus a location map can be purchased here for £6 (children free). There will be plants for sale and home-made teas available in The Old School behind the church. Most gardens have good wheelchair access.
Find out more at findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/47799/guilsfield-gardens
We are always on the look-out for new gardens to add to our growing list for 2026, so if you own or know of a garden that would fit the bill please get in touch with our Area Organiser, Susan Paynton on 01686 650531 or email at susan.paynton@ngs.org.uk It doesn’t have to have sweeping lawns and perfectly manicured borders: often small gardens, particularly when open as part of a group/village scheme, are of great interest and delight to our visitors. One small hamlet with six riverside gardens who opened for us last year raised well over £1,000, engendering huge community spirit and new friendships in the process. Susan will be happy to tell you more. Registration begins in mid-August with completion six weeks later in order to ensure inclusion in the 2026 publicity material.
Feature image: Guilsfield Gardens
