British gardens are admired all over the world for their beauty and originality. Each year, through the National Gardens Scheme, over 2500 private gardens in England and Wales open their gates to visitors for charity - some for only one day, some almost daily in the season. This book looks at 35 gardens in the scheme, ranging in size from a tiny London backyard to several acres of woodland garden in Cornwall. They include a traditional cottage garden in the Isle of Wight, a terraced garden overlooking the dramatic Welsh peak of Cader Idris, an Italian-inspired garden in Oxford and a romantic rose garden in Kent.