Next Sunday (July 31) sees a rare public opening for Clytha Park, home of the Hanbury Tenison family.

The event in aid of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) is also supporting Bee Friendly Monmouthshire and Gwent Bee Keepers, with a demonstration and honey for sale.

The garden at Clytha Park was originally laid out in about 1720 but greatly altered in 1790, by John Davenport, in accordance with the picturesque principles then in vogue. The earlier canal was altered to form the pond, which is surrounded by a winding grassy path. The kitchen garden wall also dates from 1790.

There are a number of notable trees: a very old tulip tree Lipiodendrum tulipifera on the far side of the lake is one of the largest in the UK. There is a good cut-leaf beech nearby. A pair of ravens have nested on the top of the tall Coast Redwood Sequoia sempervirens on the west side of the pond.

The gravel path leads over a little bridge to the Perthyr Gate, an 18th century stone arch topped by a medieval floriated cross from Perthyr, near Monmouth. The gateway into the drive was designed by Nash in 1790, the same date as the Folly on the hill. The large cedar in front of the house is perhaps 220 years old.

Look out for the lake complete with boathouse, lawns and magnificent specimen trees in the arboretum. The greenhouses have been recently restored by the National Trust and planted all their length by a wildflower meadow.

There will be numerous attractions for visitors in addition to the opportunity to view the garden - a brass band, a cider press, various stalls selling vegetables, homegrown plants, honey and much more and, of course, the garden visiting essential – home-made teas!

Clytha Park is off the old Abergavenny to Raglan road and will be open from 2pm-5pm. Admission is £5 for adults (children free). Dogs on leads are allowed and many of the paths are wheelchair accessible.