THIS weekend, Wichenford will be opening its scenic gardens once again, this time in aid of village charities and amenities.

The village has been opening its gardens every other year for over 20 years and in that time, they have raised more than £60,000 for local charities which is an amazing amount for a village of around 400 people.

Organiser Sandra Kelley said :“We are really pleased to be able to welcome people back to the village after all the trials and tribulations of the last 18 months.

“This is mainly an outdoor event which reduces the Covid risks but we’ve also brought in practical changes to ensure everyone’s safety.”

There are 12 lovely gardens to suit everybody – a therapeutic garden for Day Centre service users, a working farm, an old Forge, an award-winning NGS garden.

Some are very large with formal and informal areas and woodland, and one even has a productive vineyard.

Several surround beautiful Grade II-listed black and white houses.

Besides the trees and flowers, there is plenty more to see as there are also chickens, ducks, geese, bees and one even has some pigs plus wildflowers and birds.

Most gardens have seating so you can just sit and enjoy the surroundings. In addition to the great variety, what these gardens have in common is that they are much loved by their owners.

Sandra added: “We enjoy welcoming visitors to our lovely village and we know how many people enjoy their visit and take home ideas for their own garden. We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful area and many of the gardens (and even some of the car parks) have stunning views over orchards and fields towards Worcester, the Malvern Hills, Bredon, Witley Court, Droitwich, the Cotswolds, Woodbury Hill and beyond. “

Lunches are available and as always at village events, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy tea and homemade cake.

The Gardens of Wichenford are open on Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, August 1, from

11am-6pm on both days.

Entrance to the event is £5 (cash only) for a two-day wristband .

Meanwhile, a reminder that there are three gardens opening up this weekend as part of the National Garden Scheme.

5 Beckett Drive, Northwick, Worcester WR3 7BZ is open on Saturday, July 31 – a garden described as “so beguiling it comes with a warning! A truly enchanting garden and one of Worcester’s best-kept secrets”.

The garden is open from 2pm-5pm (admission £4).

On the same day, a ‘tropical paradise’ garden will be open in Stourport.

Begun five years ago, the owners’ plan was to put together a garden with a decidedly tropical feel to include palms from around the world, with tree ferns, bananas and as many other strange and unusual plants from warmer climes that would normally be considered difficult to grow here, as well as a pond and small waterfall.

3 Oakhampton Road is open from 10am-6.30pm (admission £3.50, children free)

Finally, in Droitwich, Hiraeth at 30 Showell Road is open on Sunday, August 1 where as well as a 200-year-old stile and a 300-year-old olive tree, visitors can expect afternoon teas with silver service!

The garden is open 2pm-5pm (admission £3.50, children free).