Visit a private garden on an open day
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
Private gardens that are closed all year open their gates for a day or two, from small back gardens to large estates, and the person who made the garden is often there to answer questions. The National Garden Scheme runs the openings in the UK for charity, and the Garden Conservancy's Open Days does so across the United States.
GentleUnder £100 / $130An afternoonOutdoorsAlone or with othersUK and USSpring to autumn
How to start
- Search the National Garden Scheme's Find a Garden tool in the UK, or the Garden Conservancy's Open Days listings in the US.
- Pick a garden that is open on a day you are free and register or buy a ticket in advance if the listing asks for it.
- Take a notebook, and ask the owner about one plant or idea you could try at home.
Where to go
- National Garden Scheme, visit an open garden (UK) UK
- The Garden Conservancy, Open Days (US garden-visiting programme) US
We opened these links on 7 October 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. The hard part of a day out is the timing: the right season, tickets and getting there. The plan watches the calendar for you.
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