Usually open for the NGS later in the season, here's your chance to see it in the spring as well.

This voluptuously romantic garden is centred on an historic Jacobean house that the owners – Jill and Richard Cunningham – run as a B&B guest house.

Climbing up the walls are wisteria and clematis, while beyond the ancient stone paving lies an immaculate lawn complete with resident peacock.

A formal waterlily pool doubles as a ha-ha to keep out the sheep grazing on the pastureland beyond.

Across the lawn is the wild flower orchard, where roses clamber over rustic arches and mown paths weave through waist high grass.

Further away, in opposite directions, are the secret garden (shady woodland underplanted with hellebores, primulas, astilbes and ferns) and the lush pond bordered by wonderful water plants and crossed by a bridge.

And to cap it all, homemade teas and an on-site nursery run by their son, Harry.

King John's Lodge, Sheepstreet Lane, Etchingham TN19 7AZ (2 miles west of Hurst Green) is open for the NGS on Sat April 19 (2pm-6pm) & Sun April 20 (11am-5pm). Also May 24, 25, 26 & Sept 6, 7. Adults £3, children free.

As part of the National Gardens Scheme, gardens open for charity. They raise money for Macmillan Cancer, Marie Curie & nursing and gardening charities.

For more information, visit www.ngs.org.uk

Have you visited King John's Lodge? Would you be able to tell our site visitors about the grounds? Register or sign in below to add your comments