FANS of the famous walled gardens of Croome Court near Worcester have the opportunity to see much more of them this year.

With the new tourist season about to begin, willing helpers are being sought to help steward the floral attraction.

“This year we’re opening for the second full season,” said Karen Cronin who owns the walled gardens at Croome.

She added: "Without the help of garden stewards we wouldn’t be able to share the walled gardens with visitors.

“Over the past two years the stewards have brought the walled gardens project alive for our visitors,” said Rachel Coltman, Croome’s Volunteering Manager.

She added: "Joining the existing National Trust volunteer team offers lots of opportunities to engage, learn and socialise. We can’t wait to have new volunteers on board.”

The walled gardens at Croome are at least 250 years old and began with the Coventry family’s interest in gardening during the seventeenth century. The gardens are unique, not only in their size and history, but also because most of the eighteenth century records survive.

Tracey Blackwell, Croome's marketing and publicity officer said: "During the gardens' lifetime they have housed hot houses for exotic fruits, a huge circular dipping pool, a sundial designed by architect Robert Adam, a 13 foot high, free standing ‘hot wall’ heated by five furnaces and spacious greenhouses.

"The historic gardens are a key part of Croome’s landscape designed by Capability Brown. Although the rest of the parkland is now owned and managed by the National Trust and is open to visitors, the walled gardens are owned by Chris and Karen Cronin who acquired them separately as a ruin and have been painstakingly restoring the many buildings and large greenhouses with great care and attention since 2000, with much more work still to be carried out."

She added: "Chris and Karen, who work full-time themselves, have worked hard over the last 17 years in their spare time to transform the gardens, but now need to recruit more help to continue this important work.

"Due to popularity of the walled gardens last year there are volunteering opportunities to help steward the gardens, welcoming and interacting with visitors and telling them the stories of the project and assisting with admissions."

The walled gardens will be open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from April 14 until the end of September.

Further details on, 01905 370001 or email Rachel.coltman@nationaltrust.org.uk