WITH the warmer weather more prevalent now thanks to the arrival of spring and approach of summer, gardens in Powys are opening up to the public thanks to the National Garden Scheme.

Organisers have gardens open in Welshpool and Builth Wells and the return of the Glanusk Estate Fayre at Crickhowell this weekend, so there is plenty of opportunity to get your dose of vitamin G and improve your own health and wellbeing.

Pontsioni House (LD2 3SQ) in Aberedw, near Builth Wells, is set against a background of old ruins in steep rocky woodland in the Wye Valley. Here you can enjoy a walk along a mile of old railway line through a wildflower meadow and bluebell woods. Open from 2.30 to 6pm this Sunday, May 15, admission is £5 for adults.

The Dingle (SY21 9JD) at Welshpool is a four-acre woodland garden sloping down to a small lake and is planted with a huge variety of rare and unusual trees including rhododendrons and azaleas which combined with the fresh young foliage and blossom create an exuberant picture to lift your spirits. The garden is open from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15. Admission is £3.50 for adults.

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This week the National Garden Scheme has been focusing on the health benefits of gardens celebrating good gardens are for you and the wider environment. An interactive, digital booklet entitled ’The Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health’ (https://ngs.org.uk/gardens-and-health-week/) with a foreword from NGS Patron the Prince of Wales, is packed with stories and case studies from ambassadors, garden owners, garden visitors and beneficiaries who have found solace and improved health and wellbeing by immersing themselves in gardens and gardening.

The highlight of the year will be on the Glanusk Estate, the Estate Fayre and National Garden Scheme opening, which is returning after a break of two years, also this Sunday. Artisans will be selling their creations ranging from candles and bodycare products to vintage homewares and linocut artwork.

The garden at Penmyarth House and the church will also be open for you enjoy. Locally sourced food and drink, craft demonstrations, music and tales of official allotment of BBC Radio 2's the Jeremy Vine Show from Terry Walton all make for a great day out for the whole family.

The event opens at 11am and closes at 4pm, entry is £7.50, children under 12 free. Use NP8 1SH in your satnav for directions.

The money raised will go to fund nursing and caring charities supported by the National Garden Scheme, including Macmillan, Marie Curie, the Queen’s Nursing Institute, Hospice UK and the Carers Trust.