The private property will open one day this May as part of National Garden Scheme
A previous image of No 2 Ferndene, one of the National Garden Scheme gardens, taken some years ago. Credit: Susie White (Image: © Susie White)
The National Garden Scheme opens up access to blooming beautiful attractions every year, offering visitors a rare chance to see places rarely accessible to the public. More than 3,000 private gardens across the UK take part and by doing so they are all helping the scheme to raise money for nursing and health charities.
Among them is a Gateshead garden which will be having an open day on May 31. Ferndene House at Ryton will be inviting people into its grounds between 12.30pm and 4.30pm on the day and, as well as immersing themselves in its seasonal attractions, visitors will be able to indulge in home-made teas, wood-fired pizza and prosecco, with the entry fee and added treats all set to boost the charity coffers.
Ferndene, owned by Maureen Kesteven who is county organiser for the NGS, is in Holburn Lane in Ryton Old Village – about an eight-minute walk from Ye Olde Cross pub – where it has been developed since 2009 into a oasis of calm. Surrounded with trees, the garden has both formal and relaxed areas, from box borders to a wildlife pond, bog gardens with a boardwalk and woven willow-work attractions.
There is also a wood – believed to have ancient roots – through which the Holburn Beck flows. Over the years, what used to be a hugely overgrown area has been transformed with the likes of woodland plants to attract a wider variety of birds and wildlife.
And work continues, as the beck is liable to flooding. Other developments include apple trees, wild flowers and the planting of grasses. It has had, it says, a “fantastic” burst of spring colour with the likes of daffodils and tulips.
A previous open day at Ferndene, one of the National Garden Scheme gardens(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Following on from spring highlights – also ranging from snowdrops and hellebores to bluebells – summer flowers soon will be in full bloom. And there will be some other opportunities to visit Ferndene, by special arrangement, before mid-August.
Tickets for the May 31 open day cost £6 and can be bought online in advance – see here – or people can just turn up and pay on the day. Children have free entry.
To find the location of the garden in Ryton, visitors can park in the street or the Co-op car park on the High Street and then should cross the road through Ferndene Park, following yellow signs. Go North East buses – 10; 10A and 10B – also service Ryton.
Up until August 16, Ferndene can also open its garden by arrangement for visits by groups of 12-plus and home-made teas will be available at these openings too. The cost will be £12 and anyone interested in a group or bespoke visit is invited to email maureen.kesteven@ngs.org.uk to arrange it.
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