Warner Leisure Hotels, which was recently awarded the coveted Hotel Chain of the Year Award, is delighted to announce that four of its historic hotel gardens have been accepted into the National Gardens Scheme (NGS).

The Warner Leisure Hotels group which provides short breaks and longer holidays exclusively for adults has a choice of six magnificent beautifully restored historic country houses or mansions, along with three more modern hotels which are full of character and four coastal resorts. 

Jim Forward, Managing Director of Warner Leisure Hotels said, "We were looking to support a charity that would help causes which our guests can relate to. We are very proud of our locations and we are delighted that the four gardens we put forward have received the endorsement of the National Gardens Scheme. The charity's criteria were very strict and it's an acknowledgement of the fine work from our relatively small gardening teams, who have created such welcoming and beautiful garden locations."

He continued, "This is an opportunity for us to not only raise money for the charity from National Gardens Scheme visitors, but also to encourage our many hotel guests to visit other gardens within the scheme."

Littlecote House in Berkshire, is a Grade 1 listed Tudor mansion, with 40 acres of landscaped gardens, including a spectacular topiaried yew avenue and a rose garden, all in a picturesque countryside setting. Littlecote House will be open as part of the NGS on Wednesday 10th June, 17th June and Wednesday 8th July.

The majestic Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa in Nottinghamshire, a Grade 1 listed mansion on the edge of Sherwood Forest, will welcome NGS visitors who can savour the delights of the beautifully landscaped gardens designed by Sir Humphrey Repton and enjoy the tranquillity of the Victorian Rose Garden. In association with the NGS, Thoresby Hall will host guided tours of the gardens on 27th June, 1st, 11th, 15th, 25th, 29th July, and the 1st and 5th August.

The 18th century landscaped gardens at Holme Lacy House are also open to as part of the NGS.  The picturesque riverside setting and extensive 20 acres of parkland which was modelled on Hampton Court Palace, along with the walled garden with pear and apple orchard will be open to NGS visitors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2nd May until Tuesday 29th September. Historic House & Garden tours are available by appointment.

Finally, amidst the rolling Somerset hills lies Cricket St Thomas Hotel, a Grade ll listed manor house, designed in the regency manner by the famed neo-classicist Sir John Soane and which was the inspiration and location for the BBC hit sitcom To The Manor Born.  The hotel boasts 160 acres of gardens and parkland with spectacular views of the Somerset countryside.  The gardens will open for NGS visitors on 5th and 26th July and the 27th September.