VISITORS to The Hymns Farm, near Walton in the Radnor Valley, this weekend can see the results of hours of painstaking work carried out by its owner Elizabeth Passey.

Accompanied by friends and family, Elizabeth has successfully reclaimed the grounds of the 16th century farmstead from the wild, turning it into an oasis filled with locally sourced plants and seeds, creating a garden for all the senses.

The meadows adjacent to the house are set to wild flower and a small mixed woodland adjoins the meadows. In 2013 and 2014, the hedgerows that surround the farm were all meticulously laid, creating wildlife-rich boundaries and shelter for stock. It is largely due to this hard work that the birdlife and wildlife at the Hymns are so rich and varied.

The garden is open in support of the National Garden Scheme charities on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, from 11am to 5pm, with tea and cakes and an exhibition of paintings, garden furniture, pottery and locally grown lavender products for sale.

Ms Passey lets out the main house for groups of up to 13 paying guests with the option of another three staying in an adjoining building known as The Hide and additional room being made for up to two more, meaning as many as 18 self-catering guests could be staying at one time.

Among those who have found the farmstead and gardens irresistible are artists who have chosen to stay at The Hymn for a few days’ painting retreat and some of whose work can be viewed at www.thehymns.co.uk. The house dating from c.1540 is set in a courtyard of 17th century buildings including an oak framed timber barn, cow byre, stables, granary and hayloft. The farm itself gained its name in the 1800s from the makeshift chapel which was formed by Baptists who gathered to sing hymns in the western barn.

Ms Passey said she was inspired to take up gardening by a desire to save some of the flowers at her parents’ house, which she had treasured while growing up and decided to bring with her when she bought The Hymns. "Thus started a speedy and long-distance bid to transfer loved plants and flowers, to a place where they would be with us forever."

Her gardening hero is Christopher Lloyd "for all his wonderfully described work at Great Dixter" although "a lesser known, but very real hero would be the man who gardens at a nursing home in Leeds. He brings such pleasure to the residents."

To find out about other garden openings visit the NGS website: www.ngs.org.uk or to qualify for a NGS garden opening call South Powys county organiser Katharine Smith on 07507 365033 or email her at [email protected].