Several clifftop gardens are opening this summer as part of the National Gardens Scheme. One belongs to a house in Cassel Avenue where the garden is half an acre on the side of Branksome Dene Chine. Nearby, across the Alum Chine suspension bridge and up a tempting short cut footpath, is a Milner Road garden which has mature holly, rhododendron hedges and a driftwood conservatory. In Boscombe the 1872 garden of Lord Portman’s seaside house, now Wentworth College, has been restored ready for two open days. Above Avon Beach at Mudeford is the garden of Windy Willums which has featured in Gardners’ World magazine. Most gardens are serving teas.
The garden openings are listed in the 2006 edition of The Yellow Book (£7.99) and on www.ngs.org.uk
