ONE of the most famous features of the gardens at a country house will be visible in all its glory to visitors at the weekend.

The owners of Otterington Hall, near Northallerton, have decided to open the topiary garden to the public for the first time following its precision clipping by experts.

Regarded as one of the best topiary gardens in England, it consists mainly of yew trees and includes 38 sculptures, most of them depicting birds.

The gardens are normally open once a year in the spring for the British Red Cross Society, but on Sunday, from 2pm to 5pm, St John Ambulance will benefit from visitors viewing the newly trimmed topiary.

Admission will be £3.50, and there will be wheelchair access to all main areas. The hall is three miles south of Northallerton on the A167.

The gardens are more than 150 years old, but have been progressively remodelled and updated.

They are currently being restored by Mike Heagney and a team from Gardens Revitalised, based in Guisborough, east Cleveland.

Mr Heagney said: "This is one of the best topiary gardens in England and certainly the best in Yorkshire.

"Most topiary gardens are in the South, and there are not many in this part of the world.

"This special opening has been timed to coincide with the annual precision clipping of the topiary, and visitors are in for a real visual treat. It is absolutely amazing."