Garden-lovers from across the north east helped to raise funds for healthcare charities when they visited this year’s National Garden Scheme open day at Middleton Hall Retirement Village.

The popular event, which took place at the beginning of August, gave horticultural enthusiasts a rare chance to explore the award-winning 45-acre grounds at the retirement community in Middleton St George, near Darlington.

This is the sixth year that Middleton Hall Retirement Village has hosted the open day, which is part of the nationwide National Garden Scheme initiative encouraging gardens to open in support of vital charitable healthcare causes.

Visitors enjoyed the opportunity to explore the wide variety of the estate’s green spaces, from the estate’s chicken coop and kitchen garden that supplies the home-grown produce to the village’s kitchen team, to the resident-produced artworks in the ceramic garden and the Estates team’s abundant greenhouse.

There was also the opportunity to admire the green-fingered talents of the retirement village’s residents in the allotments as well as explore the delicate planting in the Japanese garden and wander along the estate’s extensive woodland walks.

As part of a heritage garden trail to mark this year’s 125th anniversary of Middleton Hall signs across the estate explained the philosophy behind the landscaping, from traditional planting schemes around the reception area to biodiversity-enhancing features like the lake, pond and wildlife-friendly wetlands.

The optional guided tours led by members of the Estates team and some of the village’s independent residents were very popular, with visitors enjoying the horticultural insights and stories of Middleton Hall’s extensive history that brought the garden spaces to life.

Throughout the day there was also the chance to enjoy a cup of tea, scone and slice of cake as well as afternoon tea in the village’s newly refurbished Orangery Bistro.

Bryan Moore, Estates Manager, said the day had been a big success: “It was a real pleasure to welcome visitors and share our estate with them in support of such an important cause. We’re very proud of the gardens and green spaces we’ve created, and the team worked tirelessly to make sure everything was looking its best for the day.”

Margaret Stamper, Assistant County Organiser, County Durham National Garden Scheme added: “We would like to say a big thank you for the huge efforts that the Middleton Hall Retirement Village Estates team put in, including the excellent guided tours. With over 140 tickets sold and plenty of cheerful volunteers, it was a wonderful day.”

Please enjoy a gallery of photos below or if you would like to view guides to the plants, birdlife and walking routes on our estate. Find out more HERE