LAZY spring days spent wandering around some of the most stunning gardens in the county can be enjoyed across Malvern.

Spring has come and with it bird song is filling the air, flowers are beginning to bloom and the days are getting longer making it the perfect time to visit Worcestershire's National Garden Scheme open gardens.

Featuring a magnificent cedar, the two acre old-fashioned English garden at Barnard's Green House, Hastings Pool, Poolbrook Road, will be open to visitors on Sunday, April 27.

People can explore the garden backdropped by Malvern Hills which has a woodland area, three herbaceous and two shrub borders as well as a fragrant rose garden, pond, sculpture and vegetable plot.

Mrs Nicholls said: "I have been opening my garden for the National Garden Scheme for 30 years and I just think it is very satisfactory and brings in so much money in for charity.

"I think people like it here because it is a very peaceful garden and people get to know each other and we get to know them."

Barnard's Green House even boasts it's own 'Millennium Dome' - the name given to the garden's rose-covered gazebo - and homemade teas will be on offer.

Admission, between 2pm and 6pm, costs £4 adults and children free.

Later in the year, other Malvern gardens will be open to the public including the 10 acres attached to the former Benedictine Priory at Little Malvern Court on Monday, May 5 from 2pm until 5pm.

A Wisteria and clematis draped pergola will welcome visitors to the lawns of 22 Layton Avenue, Malvern owned by Brian and Jenny Bradford on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18.

People can enjoy an exhibition of Mrs Bradford's paintings, carvings and ceramic sculptures in the conservatory.

Deidre and Phil Drake will be welcoming visitors to Model Farm, Montpelier Road, West Malvern on Sunday, May 18.

Ancient oaks and panoramic views to Hay Bluff sit alongside the picturesque contours of the garden complemented by a natural stream, ponds, mixed borders, bog garden and meadow.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a high level circular folly which is new for this year.

A little further afield, The Walled Garden found at 6 Rose Terrace, off Fort Royal Hill, Worcester will be open this Saturday (April 12) and Wednesday, April 16.

Containing one of the biggest private collections of plant varieties outside of the major botanical gardens, Spetchley Park Gardens will also open to the public on Friday, April 18.

For more information including the full list of gardens, opening hours and entrance prices log on to www.ngs.org.uk.