Proud gardeners are opening up their gates to visitors across the borough this weekend – raising money for good causes.

Visitors will be able to tour normally private beautiful gardens on Richmond Hill, Kew and Ham in three separate events on Sunday.

Entertainment, food and drink are also on offer, while the rain of recent days seems certain to ensure the floral displays and manicured lawns are particularly impressive.

*Richmond Hill.

Twelve beautiful gardens will be open to the public 'offering something of interest for everyone'.

After the restrictions of the last two years, gardens and gardening have become increasingly important.

Within walking distance of each other and close to Richmond town centre, the gardens are all set on the slopes of picturesque Richmond Hill. They will be open from 11am - 5pm and some will have plant sales.

Tea and homemade cakes at St Matthias Church will complete a wonderful day out.

This year, the event is supporting local charities: The Holly Lodge Centre and Dose of Nature.

http://www.richmondhillopengardens.org/

*Kew Green

Enjoy a stroll through five long gardens on Kew Green in aid of the National Garden Scheme Charity.

Live music, plant sales and refreshments are being offered along with afternoon teas at St Anne's Church, Kew Green.

The long gardens run for 100yds from the back of historic houses on Kew Green down to the Thames towpath. Together they cover nearly 1½ acres, and in addition to the style and structures of the individual gardens they can be seen as one large space, exceptional in London.

The borders between the gardens are mostly relatively low and the trees and large shrubs in each contribute to viewing the whole, while roses and clematis climb between gardens giving colour to two adjacent gardens at the same time.

https://richmond.nub.news/whats-on/leisure/kew-green-open-gardens-38426

*Ham

Once every two years, visitors have the opportunity to go 'behind the garden wall' of a selection of the most beautiful private gardens in Ham.

The event takes visitors on a fascinating journey through a variety of gardens which reflect the diversity of the area's rich history, from the 17th century through to the present day.

Among more than 20 gardens on display are traditional large gardens belonging to grand Georgian lodges, such as Ormeley Lodge and Sudbrook Lodge, highly innovative contemporary schemes and charming cottage gardens, as well as the Sanctuary Garden, which was exhibited at the Hampton Court Flower Show.

An exceptionally beautiful corner of greater London, Ham and Petersham won 'Best Village in London' in London in Bloom 2017 and a gold medal in London in Bloom 2018, as well as a silver gilt medal in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition in 2018.

Guests will be treated to the sounds of the excellent Salamander Saxophone Quartet, who will be situated on Ham Common and will play a range of classical pieces and requests.

And there will be a barbecue on nearby South Avenue run by the local Scout group from noon, as well as delicious homemade teas served from 1pm-4.30pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church near the pond on Ham Common.

Proceeds will go to Home-Start - a national charity supporting local young families,, the Ham and Petersham Association and Amenities Group.

http://hamandpetersham.com/ham-open-gardens