WITH summer upon us, now is the time to take a sneaky peak at some of the most beautiful gardens in Cambridgeshire. From tranquil riverside settings to a one-and-a-half-acre water garden, this year’s National Garden Schemes (NGS) Gardens Open for Charity is running over the coming months.

WITH summer upon us, now is the time to take a sneaky peak at some of the most beautiful gardens in Cambridgeshire.

From tranquil riverside settings to a one-and-a-half-acre water garden, this year’s National Garden Schemes (NGS) Gardens Open for Charity is running over the coming months.

It offers a rare opportunity for people to explore the hidden and private gardens not usually open to the public while raising money for nursing, caring and gardening charities.

One of the gardens opening its gates to the public is The Manor in Hemingford Grey. This four-acre riverside garden was designed and planted by the children’s author Lucy Boston and features more than 200 old roses and a collection of bearded iris and herbaceous borders. The garden was featured on Anglia television’s Castles in the Country and is open daily from 11am to 5pm.

On Sunday, June 20 from 2pm to 6pm the garden of 32 High Street, Catworth, which was featured in Garden News will be open. Also open to explore on the same day will be Molesworth House and The Poplars in Molesworth and Yew Tree Cottage in Brington.

The following weekend, Wytchwood in Owl End, Great Stukeley will be opening its garden gates on Sunday, June 27 from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Described as a haven for wildlife, this two-acre brightly planted garden features a pond and many varieties of wild plants.

On Sunday, July 11 three gardens in Ramsey Forty Foot will be open from 2pm to 6pm. The Elms boasts a one and half acre water garden, while First Cottage has its own miniature steam railway and The Willows enjoys a tranquil riverside setting.

INFORMATION: Entry to gardens varies from �4.50-�3 for adults or free for children. For a full list of open gardens, visit www.ngs.org.uk

Other open gardens:

? 7 Thrapston Road, Spladwick, situated 50metres from the George public house is open this Sunday (June 6) from 1pm to 6pm. Expect to see mature trees, mixed shrub borders, a fishpond and a greenhouse.

? River View in Wyton, opposite Hartford Marina will be open on June 20 from 2pm to 6pm. The four-acre garden includes unusual trees and shrubs, water features and ponds.

? Twin Tarns, 6 Pinfold Lane, Somersham, located next to the church will be open on June 12 and 13 and July 10 and 11 from noon to 5pm. This one-acre wildlife garden has a large rookery, a kitchen garden, mini woodland, a rose walk, willow sculptures and a wild flower meadow.