Do you know about the National Garden Scheme?
We’re lucky enough to have some wonderful parks throughout North London, helping us stay happy and healthy, especially during lockdowns. Of course, there are also many beautiful private gardens that you and I never get to see…or do we?
Throughout the year, there is almost always a unique garden you can visit, thanks to the National Garden Scheme, known by some for its “Yellow Book” of open gardens. It’s a great opportunity to be inspired and enjoy an afternoon out with other garden lovers. It also raises money for charity as there is an admission charge for adults, usually three to four pounds, and often tea and cakes for sale.
The National Garden Scheme started about a hundred years ago when district nurses came about (nurses who visit and care for patients in their homes rather than in a hospital). People couldn’t agree on how their salaries would be paid, and we didn’t yet have the NHS. A woman called Elsie Wagg had the idea of asking her friends to open their gardens. People paid a shilling to visit and in the first year, 1927, they raised £8000. The idea became popular and the monarch of the day, King George V, was said to be a supporter. Gardens started to open all around England and Wales. Some continued to open during the Second World War, such was the resolve of the volunteers.
Today, NGS still has only a small core staff and is supported by hundreds of volunteers across the country, making it extremely economically efficient. Among our volunteers are Mary Berry, the current President of NGS, and DJ Jo Whiley, who recently joined us as an NGS Ambassador. In 2021, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK and Marie Curie each received donations of half a million pounds from NGS. NGS also supports smaller charities and community initiatives, with a tremendously positive impact on people’s lives.
If you’re a keen gardener and your efforts draw praise from friends and family, then it’s likely other people would enjoy a visit. If you are interested in opening your garden for the NGS, here are your contacts in the North London area:
Muswell Hill, Crouch End & Winchmore Hill: Susan Bennett and Earl Hyde [email protected]
Highgate: Joan Arnold [email protected]
Southgate, Barnet & Cockfoster, Totteridge & Whetstone: Debra Craighead [email protected]
Please email attaching a couple of photos and they’ll answer any questions you may have and would support you through the process.
We know there are enthusiastic gardeners in the area and we encourage them to share their love of gardens with others through the NGS. To find out more about