Programmes are now on sale for the opening of the Secret Gardens of Topsham, taking place on June 11.

It’s the first time the event has taken place for five years and gives hundreds of visitors an opportunity to see 14 hidden gem gardens.

These are not normally open to the public and are dotted around the town’s streets, lanes and waterside walks.

Programmes went on sale recently with a quartet of volunteers from the organising body, Topsham Museum, dressed in event livery and taking to the town’s streets to sell to enthusiastic residents and visitors.

There’s also a specially-commissioned jute bag to commemorate the event, available from the Museum.

Rachel Nichols, who is leading this year’s event as president of Topsham Museum, and who was one of the organisers of the very first Secret Gardens day back in 2004 said: “We had a fantastic response and we’re expecting this momentum to build as we get closer to the day.

“Programmes are available online via the Online Shopping section of the Museum website or in person from the Topsham office of estate agency Wilkinson Grant and at the Topsham Bookshop."

In addition to seeing the gardens themselves, green-fingered visitors can enjoy a specialist plant stall at the Museum’s waterside garden - including selections from some of the Secret Gardens themselves - and tea and delicious home made cakes at two lovely gardens along the route.

All proceeds from the event go towards running Topsham Museum which has its main building in one of the 17th century houses on Strand, close to the Exe, and which will be open for visitors on the Secret Gardens day.

Topsham Museum has a popular and frequently-updated website and virtual tour, plus an online shop. The Museum additionally has displays in a red telephone box in the town, serving as a year-round outpost and attraction.