In 1984, Macmillan Cancer Relief joined the list of beneficiary charities. In the years that followed other charities joined including Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads Caring for Carers.

Each year some 4000 gardens in England & Wales open their gardens for the NGS and raise some £3 million of which 80% flows directly to these charities. The NGS is the largest single donor to both Macmillan and Marie Curie.

The Northamptonshire branch of NGS has some 150 gardens open and raises approximately £60,000 each year. Gardens opening in May and June are as follows:

Kelmarsh Hall gardens were inspired by society decorator Nancy Lancaster and are surrounded by the rolling Northamptonshire countryside. Hidden gems in the gardens include a double border, sunken garden, a 30m long border, rose garden and at the heart of it all, a historic walled kitchen garden. The garden is open on Tuesday 14th May (due to a printing error dates were omitted from the County booklet) from 11am-5pm, admission £5.

Titchmarsh House has a 4½-acres garden full of surprises with cherries, magnolias, herbaceous, irises, shrub roses, range of unusual shrubs, walled borders and an ornamental vegetable garden. The garden is open on Sunday 19th May from 2-6pm and also on Saturday
8th June from 12noon-5pm, admission £3.

The Maltings in Clipston, a much visited garden in the scheme, is a ¾ acre sloping plantsman’s garden designed for all year round interest. It has many unusual plants, shrubs, old and new trees, over 60 different clematis, wild garden walk, spring bulb area, over 30 different species roses, 2 ponds connected by a stream, bog garden, fruit, vegetables and greenhouse. It is open Sunday and Monday 26/27th May from 11am-6pm, and also Saturday 20th July, 2-6pm, and Sunday 21st July 11am-6pm, admission £3, homemade cream teas, cakes and scones.

Arthingworth welcomes visitors on Sunday 30th June from 2-6pm with 8 gardens to visit. From ‘the good life’ to ‘to the manor born’ (or nearly) come and enjoy the diversity. The gardens are all different in spirit, tended by young and weathered gardeners, some with stunning views, some traditional (herbaceous borders, vegetables), some walled, some artisan, even a secret and a futurist one. And when you come, you can enjoy homebaked cakes and a cup of tea either in the village hall or at Bosworth House. Admission £5 for all 8 gardens.