Seven gardens across west Dorset will be open their doors to the public this month to showcase wildflower meadows, orchards and even a natural swimming pool.

The open invitation is part of the National Open Garden Scheme (NGS) in Dorset and gives visitors the opportunity to explore the beautiful grounds.

Cliff Cottage and Cliff Lodge, both in West Bay, are two of those opening. Cliff Cottage boasts a one acre garden with views towards East Cliff and Portland with a small orchard, while Cliff Lodge has a third of an acre garden, rural views and a thatched summer house. These will both be open on June 23 from 2pm to 5pm.

On June 19, Broomhill in Rampisham and The Old Rectory in Litton Cheney will be open from 2pm to 5pm. Broomhill has featured in Amateur Gardening 2018 and The Garden’s of Dorset and offers a large wildlife pond and meadow. The Old Rectory features a natural swimming pool, 350 rose bushes for a cut flower business and four acres of natural woodland.

Horn Park in Tunnel Road, Beaminster will also open its gate on June 19 from 11am to 5pm, offering views across the Dorset countryside towards the sea, walks in a bluebell wood, rare plants and a wildflower meadow with 164 different varieties, including orchids.

The one-acre Little Bredy Walled Gardens will open on June 18 and 25 from 2pm to 6pm. Visitors can enjoy a riverside rose walk, a cut flower garden and see original Victorian glasshouses, one of which is under renovation.

Chideock Manor will be showcasing six to seven acres of formal and informal gardens when it opens on June 22 and 23 from 2pm to 5pm, as well as a walled vegetable garden, orchard, woodland and lakeside walks.

Norwood House Gardens and walk in Corscombe is hidden away in a west Dorset valley but will available to see on June 23 and 27 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm with lake, woodland and wildflower walks.

For information on wheelchair access, which gardens allow dogs and admission prices, visit www.ngs.org.uk or pick up a Dorset gardens open for charity booklet from various outlets.