Where: Charingworth Court, Winchcombe, GL54 5JN

When: May 18, 19, 22

A Winchcombe couple are opening their artistic and lovingly created one and half acre garden for several days as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

Richard and Susan Wakeford's open garden at Charingworth Court, Winchcombe, GL54 5JN will coincide with an annual sculpture exhibition which is hosted by the couple.

The garden will be open on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19 (12 noon to 6pm) and Wednesday, May 22 (6pm to 9pm).

About 20 years ago when Susan was dangerously ill in hospital Richard found solace spending hours shovelling gravel and creating a walled garden.

Susan says: "I cried and cried over snowdrops that I was planting because my prognosis was such that I probably would not be alive when they came up the next year. That was January 1998 and they have flowered every year since!

"I did feel though that planting bulbs and perennials was planting something positive for the future whether or not I would be in it. And the garden has been a huge factor in our mental and physical health."

The National Garden Scheme's Annual Gardens and Health Week, which began in 2017, runs from May 11-19 and raises awareness of the physical and mental health benefits of gardens and gardening.

From wandering around a peaceful garden and catching up with a friend over a slice of cake, to reconnecting with nature and finding inspiration - garden visiting offers the perfect opportunity to escape busy life.

Opening for the first time for National Garden Scheme this year is Frith House, Stroud, GL6 7PG.

The attractive Cotswold stone house is in a spectacular elevated position with outstanding views across the beautiful garden, grounds and surrounding countryside.

Meticulous planning has ensured the gardens and lawns knit together and freely flow over the natural contours of the site. The rose garden was planned by Peter Beales of Norfolk and is full of colour and fragrance.

Formal beds, strategically planted specimen trees, water gardens making use of natural springs and inspired by Monet's Garden at Giverny, together with ornamental arches, herbaceous borders and wild flower meadows make this a very special garden.

Opening times are 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, May 19, and Sunday, June 16.

For full details of all gardens opening for NGS during 2019 visit the NGS website.