Popular Northumberland garden trail open to public in June

The Hexhamshire Garden Trail will take place on June 21, with each garden open to the public from 10.30am to 4pm.

The day will begin at Whitley Chapel Parish Hall, where maps will be available, with Big Daddy Butties being served from 10am, marking Father's Day.

Visitors can explore 10 unique gardens (Image: Supplied)

Karen and Joe Melvin, who will be opening their garden Holly Hill Cottage in Slaley, have a 'beautiful garden which always offers huge acclaim', organisers said, having featured in The Northumbrian magazine.

Karen said: "My favourite part of the garden is the newest gardened area in my wild garden, which favours spring bulbs and blossom and recently more summer flowers.

Karen and Joe Melvin's garden has featured in The Northumbrian (Image: Supplied)

"I like the path through it that is enclosed by trees and shrubs with a seat under a maple Drumondii.

"We have been in three other garden trails plus other charitable openings, which I like to do to support eco or art projects."

The garden has unusual perennials and a wild area (Image: Supplied)

Their multi-level cottage garden boasts yew topiary, unusual perennials, and a reclaimed wild area.

The garden, once a quarry tip, has been carefully transformed by the Melvins over the past 50 years and now features collections of unique trees and perennials.

The garden is on three levels with steep steps and a small unprotected quarry drop-off at the edge of the lawn. Karen and Joe's grandchildren, Spilt Milk Band, will be playing in the afternoon.

Holly Hill Cottage Garden (Image: Karen Melvin)

Other gardens on the trail include Five Dykes, where Archie Courage lives.

Located at one of the highest elevations in the Shire Garden Trail, the garden features terraced lawns, rhododendrons, azaleas and roses, and a cherub powered by the natural fall of water sits in the middle of the stream running through the garden and down the newly felled Scots pine wood, which is replanted with wildflowers.

The garden is in Slaley (Image: Karen Melvin)

Homemade refreshments, including scones and cakes, will be served throughout the day by the WI.

The event will also honour Andrew and Carole Patterson for their 30 years of service to the parish.

A retirement presentation will take place at the parish hall at 5pm, following the raffle draw at 4.30pm.

Archie Courage at his garden, Five Dykes (Image: Archie Courage)

A message book will be available in the church for well-wishers to sign, and a display of photographs that show some of the Patterson activities in the Shire will be on show.

Organisers said: "We can only hope the sun will shine, but whatever the weather, one of the main aims of the day is to celebrate the work of Andrew and Carole Patterson and thank them for their 30 years dedication to our parish."

The Hexhamshire Garden Trail promises a day of inspiration, community spirit, and the simple pleasure of exploring beautiful gardens.