A Newtown garden is set to open its doors for charity next month.

Ponthafren, a registered mental health charity committed to promoting wellbeing, learning and recovery within the community, says gardens have huge mental health benefits.

The riverside garden at Ponthafren is run and maintained totally by volunteers, and was chosen to be filmed for the BBC series 'Glorious Gardens From Above', alongside Powis Castle and The Dingle Garden at Guilsfield; something the volunteers who created it are quite rightly proud of.

Patron, Dr Williams, said: "The health of any community is bound up with how it regards and relates to its most vulnerable members; and in this sense Ponthafren is doing something not just for a vulnerable group but for the well-being of everyone.”

"In designing and building this garden, they passed numerous courses and developed skills that they now pass on to others at their regular gardening groups.

"So, come along and enjoy the garden on Saturday. There are covered seating areas on each level so you can sit and enjoy the wildlife. "

A complete walk around the river bank area, which is fenced off and safe for all ages, provides views through the bridge and along the river.

You can find Ponthafren by the bridge in Longbridge Street, Newtown, SY16 2DY. It is open for the National Garden Scheme from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 25th September. Admission by donation. There will be lots of plants for sale.

Other gardens open by arrangement (please contact owner to arrange a visit)

  • All year: Llysdinam, Newbridge-on-Wye, LD1 6NB tel. 01597 860190

  • February - October: Fraithwen, Tregynon SY16 3EW tel. 01686 650307

  • March - September: Plas Dinam, Llandinam SY17 5DQ tel. 07415 503554

  • March - September: Pont Faen House, Knighton LD7 1LA tel. 01547 520847

  • April - October: Hill House Farm, Knighton, LD7 1NA tel.01547 528542

  • May - September: 1 Church Bank, Welshpool SY21 7DR tel. 01938 559112

  • May - September: Ceunant, Old Hall, Llanidloes, SY18 6PW tel. 01686 412345

  • May - September: Hebron, Ludlow Road, Knighton, LD7 1HP tel. 01547 529576

  • May - September: The Neuadd, Llanbedr, Crickhowell, NP8 1SP tel. 01873 812164

  • May - September: Bryn y Llidiart, Cefn Coch, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, SY10 0BP tel. 01691 780080

  • May - October: Caer Beris Manor Hotel, Builth Wells, LD2 3NP tel. 01982 552601

  • June - September: 1 Ystrad House, Church Road, Knighton LD7 1EB tel. 01547 528154

Since its foundation in 1927, The National Garden Scheme has donated over £50 million to its beneficiaries

Charities supported by the National Garden Scheme include the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Perennial, Parkinson’s UK and MS Society.