THREE unique and contrasting gardens will open to the public this weekend in the ancient maritime town of Brightlingsea.

Numbers 44 and 51 Church Road as well as Sandy Hook will open as part of the National Garden Scheme.

Sandy Hook, owned by Peter and Elaine Sedwell, boasts a raised rose bed, dahlias, penstemons and salvias, with a small woodland stream and a sheltered white garden.

For old car enthusiasts there are also some pre-war Austins and a model engineering workshop on view.

At 44 Church Road, Mandy Livingstone and Steven Nicholson, have a traditional country garden, lovingly transformed over the years with mature trees, evergreen shrubs and water feature.

A spokesman for the Essex National Garden Scheme said: "The garden offers various places to relax and contemplate the different features of this quintessentially English garden.

"At 51 Church Road, John and Maureen McAuley's garden is guaranteed to make you smile and gasp.

"A garden that could truly be said to have some depth, with clever landscaping and use of pottery and natural stones.

"At Brightlingsea the spectacular award-winning floral displays adorning the centre are not to be missed.

"There is much to see along the harbour and the marina with bracing walks along the promenade."

Essex NGS arranges nearly 200 separate open garden events each year and last year alone raised £147,500 for charity.

The charities supported by the NGS include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, The Carers Trust, Queens Nursing Institute, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Parkinson’s UK.

Wheelchair access is restricted to the main border garden at Sandy Hook and to the patio at 51 Church Road.

Visit them all on Sunday, from 10am to 5pm, for a combined admission fee of £5.

Children go free.

  • If you are unable to visit this weekend, contact peter.sedwell@gmail.com to arrange a visit for 44 Church Road and Sandy Hook throughout July and August.