TWO beautiful gardens will be opening their gates to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme, raising money for cancer charities.

The two gardens in Moretonhampstead — Mardon on Lime Street and Sutton Mead at Chagford Cross — will be open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm both days.

Both gardens comprise four acres, one in a wooded valley and the other higher up with views of Dartmoor. Both have mature orchards and year round vegetable gardens, croquet lawns, summer colour and woodland walks through hydrangeas and acers, yet both are entirely different.

At this time of year, visitors will also see dahlias, giant grasses and, at Mardon, formal granite terraces supporting two borders of blue and white agapanthus. Also at Mardon, where the garden is based on its original Edwardian design, there is a long herbaceous border, a rose garden and a fernery beside a stream-fed pond with a thatched boathouse.There is also a new arboretum with 60 specimen trees recently planted on a steep hillside with wonderful views.

At Sutton Mead paths wander through tranquil woodland and unusual planting. Lawns surround a granite-lined pond with a seat at the water's edge. Elsewhere there are cyclamen, a bog garden, a rill-fed round pond, secluded seating and an unusual concrete greenhouse.

Visitors will be helping to support the charities supported by the National Garden Scheme (NGS)— Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Help the Hospices.

The NGS is the biggest single contributor to these charities. Last year £2,600,000 was collected to be donated to these, and other, causes.

Both gardens are sign posted from the village centre. Combined admission is £4.50, children are free and dogs on leads are welcome.

At Sutton Mead there will be a sale of plants and cream teas on offer at both gardens. Parking is available at the gardens or both are a 10-minute walk from the town centre.