The garden at Elworthy Cottage is open for the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday afternoon (August 8), with visitors admitted on a timed basis.

Tickets, at £4, need to be bought in advance from the NGS, which supports many charities, so that the number of people in the garden at any one time between 1.30pm and 5pm can be controlled for virus-safety reasons.

The garden has many interesting herbaceous perennials, trees and shrubs and is planted naturalistically to attract wildlife, especially birds and insects. Many of the plants are grown especially to encourage bees and butterflies.

Ornamental grasses and teasels make an architectural feature and will provide food for birds well into the winter. Hydrangeas are a colourful feature of the garden at this time of the year.

A productive vegetable garden is designed for decorative effect and features a runner bean ’tunnel’ and a living willow screen: “We do not use pesticides in the garden and all our plants are grown in peat free compost,” said owner Mike Spiller.

Admission is £4, children enter free. Dogs are welcome on short leads. Anyone unable to access the NGS website may phone Mike on 01984 656427, or for further details visit the Elworthy Cottage website.

Elworthy is on the B3188 half way between Wiveliscombe and Watchet.