Visitors are invited to explore gardens ranging from historic traditional squares to experimental contemporary gardens, community allotments, tranquil idylls and urban wildlife sanctuaries. This year, 10 local gardens are taking part.
Acton Community Garden, Acton Park, The Vale W3 7JT
This small garden features a 'Capital Growth' community vegetable-growing area, nature pond and example hedgerow, meadow and woodland. The garden is maintained by the Borough's Rangers with assistance from community groups and volunteers. Opening hours: Saturday 11am–3.30pm
Activities: Informal tours
Weekend tickets: must be bought in advance (see below)
Chiswick House Walled Garden, Chiswick W4 2QN
These spectacular 17th-century walled gardens were created by Sir Stephen Fox, Paymaster General of the Armed Forces and Samuel Pepys' employer in 1682. The gardens have recently been beautifully restored. The northern walled garden has been turned from an abandoned modern nursery into a cherry orchard. In the southern walled garden, lost paths have been reinstated and over 240 historic fruit trees and soft fruits have been planted by volunteers.
Opening hours: Sunday 11am–3pm
Activities: Special tours of the restored walled gardens and conservatory at 12 and 2pm. Plant, flower and vegetable sales. All funds raised support the continued preservation of Chiswick House Gardens.
Weekend tickets: must be bought in advance (see below)
Walpole Park & Walled Garden, Mattock Lane or Ealing Green W5 5EQ
Walpole Park and the Walled Garden have just been restored to their former Regency glory. The vistas, ponds, flower garden and shrubbery walk have all been brought back to the time when Sir John Soane built Pitzhanger Manor House and designed this landscape. There are plenty of veteran trees and stunning oak avenues in the wider parkland. The Walled Garden has a focus on unusual heritage varieties of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Opening hours: Saturday 11am–5pm
Activities: Volunteers on hand to answer questions. Garden tours. Family activities, arts and crafts, music. Bee-keeping demonstration. Plant sale. Cakes, food and drink.
Weekend tickets: must be bought in advance (see below)
Fulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue, Fulham SW6 6EA
Fulham Palace was home to the Bishops of London from AD 700 to 1973. The palace itself is an architectural treasure, including elements from the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian periods. It lies in 13 acres of lawn and gardens that still reflect the 18th-century landscape design. There are many interesting and unusual trees and plants.
Opening hours: Saturday 11am-5pm
Activities: Three special guided at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Head gardener and members of the gardening team present in the walled garden. Museum open 1-4pm. Drawing Room café serving light meals and refreshments, open 9am-5pm. Plants for sale.
Weekend tickets: can be bought on site on the day or in advance (see below)
Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments, via Fulham Palace, SW6 6EA
A gift from the Bishop of London in 1916, this site of this inner city haven is exceptional as it covers an Anglo-Saxon site of historical importance. In the later Middle Ages, Fulham Palace is reputed to have been the largest moated area in Europe. Run by dedicated volunteers, FPMAA plays a vital part in local life.
Opening hours: Saturday 11.30am–3.30pm
Activities: Guided tours. Teas and light refreshments. Plant and produce stall.
Weekend tickets: can be bought on site on the day or in advance (see below)
Ravenscourt Park Glasshouses, Hammersmith W6 0UL
Situated within Ravenscourt Park next to the café, the display glasshouse showcases fruit, vegetable and flower growing, with an emphasis on unusual varieties. The second greenhouse is a nursery and used by volunteers to raise seedlings and cuttings for the site and other local community gardens. The beautiful walled garden includes a medicinal herb border and vegetable plots, as well as grass and benches for picnics.
Opening hours: Saturday 10am-5pm
Activities: Herbal activities. Live music. Make a pedal-powered smoothie on our smoothie bike. Café next door for refreshments
Weekend tickets: can be bought on site on the day or in advance (see below)
The River Café, Thames Path at Rainville Road, Hammersmith W6 9HA
Fresh, seasonal produce has been a cornerstone of The River Café since it opened in 1987. Situated beside the Thames, its garden is a natural extension of this approach to food.
A variety of Italian salad leaves, vegetables and herbs are grown, which make their way onto the daily changing menus. In fine weather, the restaurant extends throughout the garden among the long planters and fruit trees.
Opening hours: The garden can be visited only on an escorted tour and advance booking essential.
Activities Meet the gardener, Simon Hewitt, who will be giving two guided walks around the garden on Saturday at 9.15am and 10.15am and answering any questions.
Weekend tickets: must be booked in advance (see below)
William Morris Society, 26 Upper Mall, Hammersmith W6 9TA
William Morris lived at Kelmscott House for the last 18 years of his life. The gardens have altered in size since Morris' time and this is a rare opportunity to view them. The small, shady lower garden contains a variety of ferns, which thrive well in its microclimate. The upper walled garden was replanted in 2007 and the largest garden contains a variety of roses, wild strawberries and a wonderful magnolia tree. There is a museum dedicated to Morris’ life and work.
Opening hours: Saturday 2pm–4.30pm
Activities Museum open. Book and gift stall. Handout containing Morris’s description and plan of the 1880s garden. Display of Morris’s designs. Children’s quiz and trail. Refreshments available.
Weekend tickets: can be bought on site on the day or in advance (see below)
Sycamore House, Sycamore Gardens, Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush W6 0AS
A completely hidden oasis right in the middle of Shepherd's Bush, Sycamore House is sheltered housing for the over-55s. The garden was designed and planted in March 2012 and features include plants to encourage bees and butterflies, a fishpond, pergola and arches for climbing plants, and raised beds for residents to do their own gardening. Bronze winner from the London Garden Society 2013.
Opening hours: Saturday 2pm–5pm
Activities: Tea, coffee, homemade cakes. Plant and craft stalls
Weekend tickets: can be bought on site on the day or in advance (see below)
John Betts House, Goldhawk Road or Rylett Road, Shepherds Bush W12 9NJ
Sister project to Sycamore House, John Betts House is a private garden for older people. The garden features many interesting plants, hanging baskets, a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds, a water feature and balconies with residents' container gardens. The garden is a beautiful safe haven of which the residents are rightly proud. It is a past gold medal-winner in the London Gardens Society and Hammersmith & Fulham in Bloom competitions.
Opening hours: Saturday 2pm-5pm
Activities: Home made cakes and plant sales
Weekend tickets: can be bought on site on the day or in advance (see below)
Buying tickets in advance
One ticket gains access to all participating gardens (bar those with special conditions for entry) for both Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June. An advance weekend ticket is £10 (including fees/p&p) available from www.opensquares.org . A ticket bought over the weekend itself is £12. National Trust Members can go half price. For children under 12, admission is free all weekend.
For more information about Open Garden Squares Weekend, visit: www.opensquares.org
