GARDEN lovers have one last opportunity to visit one of the area s most beautiful venues. North End Place, near Felsted, is opening its doors to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 30. The seven-acre gard

GARDEN lovers have one last opportunity to visit one of the area's most beautiful venues.

North End Place, near Felsted, is opening its doors to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 30.

The seven-acre garden has been designed over the past eight years by owner Claire Benbrook. She has created something quite exquisite, with a planted lime walk and parterre arranged in careful colour combinations.

There is a walled vegetable and cutting garden to admire and an immaculate greenhouse packed with exciting plants.

In front of the Georgian house is an area surrounded by billowing mixed borders full with overflowing vegetation.

Pastoral views across the Chelmer Valley and a chance to look out towards the church and village of Felsted while enjoying a glass of win or cup of tea and home made cake heighten the experience.

A stroll amongst the woodland plating and meadows is a great way to complete a relaxing visit.

The garden is opening for the first time this year and previous runs this season have proved a success.

NGS Essex County organiser, Susan Copeland, said: "North End Place is a family friendly garden which has proved very popular in its first year or opening for the National Gardens Scheme. Bank Holiday is the last time it will open in 2009 and I urge garden lover not to miss it."

North End Place is open from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is �4 for adults, children go free. There will be tea and plants on sale.

NGS selects thousands of gardens across the country to take part in the scheme each year and raises money for four main cancer and caring charities - Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads-Caring for Carers - while various other local and national charities also benefit.

The scheme in Essex brought in �67,000 last year (nationally the NGS raised well over �2 million) and had over 12,000 visitors.

Despite the season not coming to a close until the end of September, organisers have conformed that they have already welcomed over 12,000 visitors this year, and are well on the way to breaking last years' record amount raised.