THE gardens at The Manor House in Skeeby, near Richmond, will be open to support St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington, from Thursday, June 24 to Sunday, June 27.

Entry is by donation between 10am and 5pm each day, and visitors are asked to call 01748 822617 in advance to book a time.

There is no parking at the garden, at 43 Richmond Road, DL10 5DX, and visitors should park on public roads around the village.

The Manor House is an early 17th Century Grade II* farmhouse on the site of a medieval house reputedly linked by an underground passage to Easby Abbey. Folklore also suggests that stone for the abbey was quarried there.

The house and gardens were at one time owned by Miss Evelyn Ada Pease, the youngest daughter of the Darlington MP Arthur Pease and granddaughter of Joseph Pease, one of the originators of the first railway. During the First World War Evelyn was commandant of the Richmond Auxiliary Hospital.

The quarry was laid out as a garden by Evelyn from 1939 and later by her niece Dr Mary Ethelwyn Pease (1892-1981). More recently, it has been further improved and the planting extended by Val and Ian Hepworth, the current owners.

There are one and a half acres of undulating grounds sheltered by walls and hedges, and visitors are invited to enjoy the courtyard, herbaceous and mixed borders, soft fruit and quarry garden – "The Dell" – with pond, shrubs, bulbs and perennials. A terraced shrub rose garden, ornamental trees and the conservatory/greenhouse complete the picture.

Tea or coffee and cake or scones will be available.