Six of the village’s finest gardens will open to the public on Sunday 9th July as part of the National Gardens Scheme, which has raised £45 million for good causes since 1927. Selly Manor Museum, which would normally charge an entrance fee, will also open its charming Tudor-style garden as part of the event, with all funds going to charity.

Amongst the gardens being showcased is a wonderfully restored urban cottage garden, an intriguing wildlife-friendly garden and a George Cadbury-inspired garden. Bournville Village Trust, which is co-ordinating the event in partnership with the NGS, hope to surpass the £5,000 last year’s event raised for charity.

Theresa Gordon, Community Services Co-ordinator at Bournville Village Trust, said: “Bournville is well known for its stunning gardens and parks and this is a rare chance to see some of its finest gardens that would normally be closed off to the public.

“There will be music, singing and homemade teas across a number of the gardens on the day, so it will be a lively and fun day out for all not just keen gardeners. Last year’s event, which was the first time we’d taken part, saw nearly 900 visitors come to Bournville and £5,000 raised, and we’d love to better that this year.”

Combined admission for all the Bournville gardens taking part is £6.00 and can be paid at any of the registered locations on the day. Gardens can be seen in any order between 11am and 6pm and a free information map/walking trail will be available on the day from any of the gardens taking part.

Bournville was created by chocolate-making brothers George and Richard Cadbury, with a strong emphasis on providing large gardens, parks and open spaces for residents. The average size of gardens in the early years stretched to 600 square yards and by 1913 there were thought to be 1,100 gardens in the famous chocolate-box village. It was also calculated the average value of the fruit and vegetables produced in gardens was 2 shillings, 6 pence each week.