If you love gardening, high summer is the perfect time to visit other people’s gardens and get some inspiration to take home. 
The Open Garden Scheme lists around 3,700 breath taking private gardens opening for charity all over the country. HEATHER BARRON picks out some highlights in the North-East and Yorkshire, ready to welcome you through July and August.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Yorkshire

Wednesday 19 July & Wednesday 16 August

The Grange, Carla Beck Lane, Carleton in Craven, Skipton, Yorkshire, BD23 3BU

12pm – 4.30pm; admission £5, children free. Cream teas

This garden also makes a donation to Sue Ryder Care Manorlands Hospice.

Over four acres set in the grounds of Victorian house (not open) with mature trees and panoramic views towards The Gateway to the Dales. The garden has been restored by the owners over the last two decades, with many areas of interest being added to the original footprint. Bountiful herbaceous borders with many unusual species, rose walk, parterre, mini-meadows and water features

Large greenhouse and raised vegetable beds. Oak seating placed throughout the garden invites quiet contemplation, a place to 'lift the spirit'

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 23 July

High Hall, St Stephen's Road, Steeton, Keighley, Yorkshire, BD20 6SB

11am - 5pm; admission £4, children free. Home-made teas.

Wheelchair access some steps and gravelled paths may make access difficult in places

A two-acre well-hidden Arts and Crafts garden and historic house (not open) adjacent to St Stephen's Church. Formal walled garden with pond, belvedere, pergola, dovecote, summerhouse and ancient yew, herbaceous planting in formal beds connected by gravel paths. Walled kitchen garden with vegetable beds and fruit trees. Natural woodland area, bog garden, and small croquet lawn.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 13 August

Mr Yorke’s Walled Garden, Cravengate, Richmond, Yorkshire, DL10 4RE

1pm - 5.30pm; admission £5, children free. Light refreshments.

The garden is on a hill. Main grass paths accessible with a wheelchair, but they are quite steep.

Charming 18th century walled garden, redesigned with herbaceous border, ponds, mature trees, standard and climbing roses, vegetable garden, fruit trees, lawns and grassy paths. This is a garden in change, as the owners continue clearing it of rampant brambles, self-sets and weeds and designing and planting this one acre pleasant, tranquil town garden.

Fabulous views of Richmond Castle and Culloden Tower.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Co Durham

Sunday 23 July

Woodside House, Witton Park, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 0DU

2pm - 5pm; admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.

Stunning three-acre, mature, undulating garden full of interesting trees, shrubs and plants. Superbly landscaped with island beds, flowing herbaceous borders, an old walled garden, rhododendron beds, fernery, three ponds and vegetable garden. Delightful garden full of interesting and unusual features: much to fire the imagination.

Winner of Bishop Auckland in Bloom.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 6 August

4 Stockley Grove, Brancepeth, County Durham, DH7 8DU

1pm - 5pm; admission £4, children free. Home-made teas.

A stunning half-acre garden with inspirational planting to provide year-round colour and interest. Landscaped with hidden grassy paths with many unusual trees, shrubs and plants including wildlife pond, rockery area and water features. Rockery currently being extended.

Winner of 'Beautiful Durham'.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 13 August

45 Blackwell, Darlington, Durham, DL3 8QT

1pm - 5pm; admission £4, children free. Home-made teas.

No. 45 Blackwell rises from the River Tees up to a garden with many mature trees, wildlife meadow, pond with waterfall. Herb and Mediterranean garden, shady borders, lawns and colourful herbaceous borders. The Tees can be viewed from a rustic hut set in woodland high above the river. (Some neighbouring gardens may also open on the day).

Refreshments and plants for sale. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Northumberland

Sunday 30 July

Lambshield, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1SF

1.30pm - 5pm; admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.

Level ground but gravel paths not suitable for wheelchairs.

A two-acre country garden with strong structure and exciting plant combinations, started in 2010 around a working farm. Distinct areas and styles with formal herbaceous, grasses, contemporary planting, cottage garden, pool and orchard. Cloud hedging, pleached trees, and topiary create a backdrop to colourful and exuberant planting. Modern sculpture. Oak building and fencing by local craftsmen.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 6 August

Coldcotes Moor Farm, Ponteland, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, NE20 0DF

1pm - 5pm; admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.

The garden, landscaped grounds and woods cover around 15 acres. The wooded approach opens out to lawned areas surrounded by ornamental and woodland shrubs and trees. A courtyard garden leads to an ornamental walled garden, beyond which is an orchard, vegetable garden, flower garden and rose arbour. To the south the garden looks out over a lake and field walks, with woodland walk to the west.

Small children's play area.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 20 August

Adderstone House, Adderstone Mains, Belford, Northumberland, NE70 7HS

1pm - 5pm; admission £5.00, children free. Light refreshments in the courtyard.

A Victorian house, gardens, millpond and grounds of 10½ acres. Established and 'new projects' in development with Sean Murray (RHS Chelsea Challenge winner). Walled garden with rose arbour, mature shrubs; an orchard leads to sunken garden; rose walk to the formal garden, then on to the mill pond, fruit/vegetable plots and vineyard. Plant stall, teas and grape juice from vineyard. A folly has been added.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Teesside

Sunday 16 July

Moorsholm Village, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, Yorkshire, TS12 3JF

11am - 4pm; Combined admission £5, children free. Home-made teas in the Church Hall and the Sports Pavilion.

Depending on weather some of the green lanes could be unsuitable for wheelchairs, some open gardens have steps.

A range of gardens to view including woodland gardens, cottage gardens large and small, and up to 16 allotments in a moorland setting. Farming and former ironstone setting, five miles from the North Sea. Five-time winner of Northumbria in Bloom best village; winner in Britain in Bloom in 2014. The village boasts a range of heritage features and cultivated public areas, notably the 'Long Border' and wild flower areas. An interesting heritage walk takes in village allotment gardens, green lanes with wildlife habitats and conservation schemes. Victorian churchyard, church hall and quiet garden won 'Best Grounds of a Religious Establishment' Northumbria in Bloom. Printed map and interpretation boards ensure visitors enjoy local features and natural history. Expect a warm welcome from Moorsholm in Bloom volunteers who very much enjoy hosting the NGS Open Day.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

Sunday 23 July

Stanghow Gardens, Stanghow, Lingdale, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, Cleveland, TS12 3JU

12noon - 4pm; combined admission £4, children free. Home-made teas.

Two quite different gardens sit at 700 feet above sea level on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. Stanghow has won numerous RHS Gold awards for Best Small Village and was a Champion among Champions in the 2013 Britain in Bloom competition. Heatherholm has extensive topiary which adds form and structure to this quarter-acre garden. It is divided into a series of rooms containing a formal garden, lawns, shrubberies, a raised pond, fruit trees, vegetable garden and soft fruit area. There is a summer house and greenhouse and several comfortable seating areas. Also, herbaceous borders and a wide array of shrubs, lilies, hostas, clematis and unusual feature trees. The Forge, on an exposed corner plot, has an open aspect with views of the North Yorkshire Moors and sea. The owners inherited a largely unkempt garden and have worked hard to reclaim these overgrown areas, replanting with a wide variety of perennials, shrubs and vegetables.