NOT surprisingly, some of the most iconic gardens in Britain are featured in this 2015 edition of the National Garden Scheme 'bible'.
And they're not all grand stately home grounds. The National Garden Scheme prides itself on the way the most modest gardens - occasionally even roof gardens - are made accessible to visitors.
Most of those that open are privately owned and offer visitors opportunities to enjoy a wide range of individual horticultural creations.
Cumbria has 66 gardens featured in this year's scheme and they are open on various days throughout the coming year.
The whole of county is covered, with a significant cluster of scheme gardens in the central and south Lakes.
This year, visitors can explore more new gardens in the scheme, including The Chantry at Ravenstonedale; High Close Estate, Loughrigg near Ambleside; Hillside at Levens; Low Blakebank, Underbarrow; and Ulverston Gardens, Oubas Hill, Ulverston.
The National Gardens Scheme has been opening gardens to raise money for nursing and caring charities since 1927.
Last year, seven charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Parkinson's UK, received £2.5 million from donations left by delighted visitors.
ALLAN TUNNINGLEY
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