Open Garden Blog

Garden No. 3 – Lynden Barn, Langworthy Lane, Holyport...

22/5/2025

Lynden Barn on Langworthy Lane is the sole remaining part of the original Elizabethan manor house, dating from 1600. The site was occupied from Medieval times with reputed Royal connections.

More recently it was home to the 2nd Earl of Milford Haven (brother of Lord Mountbatten of Burma) and his family, and it was the holiday home of his nephew the late Prince Phillip when at school in England and Scotland. In the 1940's it was divided into 4 homes.

The Barn gardens are in two parts: the main garden and a courtyard. The main lawned leisure garden has numerous ornamental shrubs and trees plus raised vegetable beds and a pretty greenhouse at the far end. Through parts of the house with mainly modern art and oriental artefacts there is access to the courtyard garden with an ancient Indian Bean tree (from which the numerous younger trees have been grown from seed), many ferns, banana trees, hostas etc. and a Koi pond. This latter garden is, unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.

Garden No. 7 – Carcasonne, Oldfield Road, Maidenhead...

19/5/2025

Mediterranean inspiration
The garden is split between two levels. The top garden has a Mediterranean feel with a large fig tree and vines growing along the pergola, providing a lovely dappled shady area under which to sit and eat or have drinks – perfect on a warm sunny day.

The top garden also has two ponds, the larger one has goldfish whilst the bottom, smaller pond is left for frogs and other little creatures.

The lower garden has a little path between the trees and a was formerly used as a football pitch by the children but is now used to relax, and take in the evening sun.

Garden No. 15 – Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Taplow...

19/5/2025

Adventures and support for special needs
Have you ever wondered what is behind the gates of the Thames Valley Adventure Playground? Well now you can come and have a look!

TVAP CIO is a unique charity, founded in 1979, providing a range of activities for children and adults with special needs. It is based on a 2.5 acre site, on the Bath Road, Taplow, with views of Amerden Lake behind. The established gardens and play facilities have been purposefully designed to create a haven for our visitors.

Maybe when we think of a playground we think of slides and swings, maybe a sand pit? But to our beneficiaries we are so much more – not only special equipment and appropriate resources but also a supportive place to play, explore and be safe.

Our loyal gardeners, staff and volunteers work really hard to maintain our many outdoor areas, including the beautiful sensory garden, and we also have our Wacky Woods for you to explore.

There is parking available in the layby in front
We are fully accessible and have hoists and changing bed facilities if required
Assistance dogs welcome
Tea/coffee, etc available for a small donation
You are welcome to explore indoors and outside
Volunteers will be around to chat about TVAP if you would like to find out more

We look forward to welcoming you.

Open only on Sunday afternoon 8th June

Garden No. 10 – 84 Portlock Road, Maidenhead...

14/5/2025

An artist's magical mystery tour
Surprise yourself with a courtyard garden that is small, but tall, full of colour and unexpected adventures with plants and paint: a world that is complete within itself, art and gardening coinciding in ways meant to feed the soul. Expect the unexpected, like bay trees with birch tree stems, and surprisingly coloured shrubbery.

A garden to flex your imagination with delight. It has been suggested that the garden could be used as a meditation refuge. Come and see for yourself. The house extends seamlessly into the garden through a small conservatory with an elephant in the room guiding the way. (See if you can spot him below!)

Garden No. 17 – Hitcham Tithe Barn, Hitcham Lane, Burnham...

14/5/2025

Serenity and history
Next to the delightful small church at Hitcham, this garden again has lovely countryside views beyond the summerhouse at the bottom of the garden.

Beside the large lawn there is a pool with water lilies, and by the beautiful historic house there are pots of hosta and brugmansia (formerly datura) with huge pendant yellow trumpet flowers. Admire but don’t touch, as these are poisonous.

Open only on Sunday 8th June

Garden No. 16 – The Old Rectory, Hitcham Lane, Burnham...

14/5/2025

Classic English country garden
This large house and garden sit in an enviable position on high ground overlooking surrounding fields, with distant views to the South.

Climbing and rambling roses are growing up into many of the large and old trees in the garden, and there are also shrub roses, a rose hedge, and clematis (all of which should be in flower).

A sunken garden and rockery is home to a pond with tadpoles, there is a productive vegetable and fruit garden, and the borders are full of perennials and unusual shrubs.

Wander round the garden and find somewhere to sit to picnic or just to enjoy the peace and quiet – so close to main roads, motorways and towns, but you wouldn't know it.

Open only on Sunday 8th June

Garden No. 9 – 51 Choseley Road, Knowl Hill...

8/5/2025

Horticultural heaven
A surprise is in store behind this house in Knowl Hill. The husband and wife team of landscaper and horticulturalist have filled this garden with numerous interesting plants – perennials, shrubs and climbers. It has been developed in the last two years and is still being changed and improved.

A large area is devoted to a water garden, with a series of cascading pools, water-loving plants and marginal planting, and a deep pool with koi carp.

Garden No. 4 – Wytch House, Old Mill Lane, Bray...

7/5/2025

Peace beside the Thames
This peaceful garden on the banks of the Thames in Bray has spacious lawns, a summer house, and a large mature willow tree by the water’s edge.

Admire the view of the river from this lovely Tudor style house, and look out for interesting modern sculptures on the lawn by Stephen Macrae and Peter Baker, but beware of the dragon!

Open only on Saturday 7th June

Garden No. 6 – West Court, Fishery Road, Bray...

27/5/2021

Garden games on the lawn
This riverside garden in the Fisheries is on the lovely stretch of the Thames between Maidenhead and Bray.

Lavender-lined terraces next to the large Arts and Crafts house, built in 1901, are a perfect area for entertaining and reflect the history of this building. Steps lead down to a wide expanse of lawn with mature specimen trees next to the water’s edge.

Come and see the views from the long river frontage, relax and enjoy lawn games, a glass of Prosecco or Pimm’s and a cake or two.

Money is also being raised for the British Heart Foundation and the Blue Cross charity.

Garden No. 2 – 8 Langworthy End, Holyport...

11/12/2020

Walled garden tranquillity
Maidonians are in for something special if they visit the garden of Janet and Steve in Langworthy End which was only started six years ago.

Imagine a modern take on a walled garden and a duo of greenhouses crammed with exotic plants and vegetables, many grown from seed and cuttings. Then pause to rest under the shade of a beautiful gazebo whilst listening to the restful waterfall, and relax… what’s not to like on a warm summer’s day in June.