Two very popular large country gardens near Saffron Walden will be open for the National Gardens Scheme.

Parsonage House, Helions Bumpstead is often quoted as one of the finest gardens in Essex. The gardens extend to three acres surrounding a 15th century house. There is also a wild flower meadow and an orchard to enjoy.

The garden will be open on Sunday, 2-5pm. Admission is £3.50, children free. Home-made teas available.

Wickets, Langley Upper Green, will be open on Bank Holiday Monday, 1-5pm. The garden boasts peaceful country garden with wide informal borders, landscaped meadows and a delightful parterre. Susan and Doug Copeland, the garden owners, explained that their hundreds of camassia are looking stunning and should still be blooming on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May and there is also much more to discover in the garden.

Admission is £4, children free. Home-made teas available.

The NGS has announced it will distribute £2.5 million to its beneficiary charities this year.