WHEN Jonathan and Caroline Peacock began work on their garden at Ravensford Farm nearly 20 years ago, it was nothing but nestles and thistles.

But visitors to the 2.5-acre garden at Hamsterley, County Durham, tomorrow can tour a small wood, orchard, ponds, a rhododendron walk, and a sheltered, sunken garden.

The garden is open as part of the National Gardens Scheme, which raises money for charity.

Mrs Peacock said: "The house was a ruin when we came here in 1986; it had been derelict for about 40 years.

"There was no garden and, except for digging out a couple of ponds, we have created the garden ourselves. Apparently it had once been an orchard and there is one very old apple tree remaining.

According to a lady I subsequently met who remembered the house when it was lived in, they used to grow a few vegetables, but it was nothing like what it is now. We are still doing things with it -I have just dug out a new border and have been replanting."

The garden is open from 2pm to 5pm. Tea will be served and plants from New Row Farm Nurseries and Ravensford Farm garden will be sold. Entry is £3, and £1 for children. Wheelchair access is possible with assistance.