The garden at Delacorse by the Taf Estuary in Laugharne will once again be opening to the public on Sunday, July 11, 11 am - 5 pm, this year in aid of the Carmarthenshire Stroke Association which provides weekly meetings and activities for stroke survivors, and some special events like day trips, horse riding and canoeing.

All money raised on the day will go towards activities and equipment, so do come and support this important fund-raiser, while having a wonderful relaxing day in beautiful and peaceful surroundings with stunning river views.

The two-and-a-half acre garden has been created from scratch over the last 18 years by Annie Hart, a designer and keen vegetable grower.

"There was virtually no soil anywhere here when I began," she says, "in fact the kitchen garden was just hard stone and had been used as a horse schooling area, and one of the borders was then a car park; other areas were complete bogs, so its been quite a challenge."

Unlike the current craze for instant makeovers, this garden has evolved slowly over the years, mostly growing plants from seed and cuttings and swaps with other gardeners.

Now the garden is well established and will be featured in ITV's forthcoming series 'A Piece of Paradise' to be shown later in the summer.

The garden has many facets which all link together using different levels, walls and hedges, framed by woodlands, and melting seamlessly into the reeds and creeks of the salt marsh.

At its heart is a scented walled garden with a chamomile lawn, and there are living willow bowers and arches, easy-to-maintain mixed borders designed to provide changing colour and texture throughout the year, lawns, specialist trees, and fine views of the estuary.

The extensive organic kitchen garden and orchard provide abundant food all the year round. Information on 'growing your own' will be provided on the day.

The open day is renowned for its appetising home-made refreshments using produce from the garden, which will be served all day. Plus there will be ice creams, and a large and interesting plant stall, and members of the Carmarthenshire Beekeepers Association will be bringing a demonstration hive with lots of information and opportunities to make beeswax candles.

At 12.30 pm, renewable energy specialist Gary Wignall, of West Wales Heating Ltd., will demonstrate the wood energy gasifying log boiler which he has just installed at Delacorse.

And in the afternoon there will be pony rides (thanks to Hills Farm Stables), and a willow weaving workshop for all ages kindly provided by local expert, Helen Campbell. Most of the garden is accessible for disabled visitors. Admission £3.50, children free.

Delacorse is easy to find and will be signed on the A4066 as you are approaching Laugharne from St. Clears and there will be parking on the field. Or if you fancy a stroll along the river from Laugharne, follow the footpath past Dylan Thomas's Boathouse for 20 minutes or so, and you will find your way to this secret garden in the wild. This path has been improved to be accessible for disability scooters (using a RADAR key) providing a rare opportunity to get off the beaten track.

For more information, contact Annie Hart 01994 427728.