AN opportunity is on offer to visit the spring gardens at Hereford Cathedral and Bishop's Palace.

Garden volunteers and staff have been working hard to ensure that the five distinctive gardens, which featured in Country Life magazine last year, are ready to welcome visitors on Saturday April 2.

It will be the first time the gardens will have been opened to show off the spring bulbs and plantings.

Dr Anthony Evans, coordinator of the cathedral’s volunteer gardeners, said: "We have planted a huge number of bulbs in the riverside gardens over the past year, many of which can be seen flowering when you walk along the other bank, but this will be an opportunity to come in to see them."

The tour will last just under an hour and takes in the public gardens as well as the private gardens of the canons, dean and bishop. The Chapter House and cloister gardens are also included.

Tours will run from 11am to 3pm with groups departing every half an hour.

Spaces cannot be reserved in advance but can be booked on the day through the Cathedral Shop.

There is no charge but but donations will be invited to help fund the ongoing care of the gardens and cathedral.