GARDEN lovers can enjoy a rare peek at an ancient bluebell wood in Stourton which is being opened to the public for the first time this weekend.

Keeper’s Cottage wood in Greensforge Lane will be opening from midday to 4pm on Sunday May 8, and also on Saturday May 14, as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The wood, which boasts more than three acres of bluebells along the banks of Smestow Brook close to where it joins the River Stour, is the only bluebell wood listed for opening this year as part of the scheme in the Staffordshire, Birmingham and West Midlands area.

Owner Jenny Brookes said: “A bluebell wood nearby was open for the NGS some years ago and hundreds of people used to visit.

“We thought it would be a good idea to open our woods so more people than just our family and friends can see the magnificent blue carpet which forms during early May.

“It’s taken a lot of organisation, so we hope people will turn up to have a look.”

The woodland is a haven for wildlife including great-spotted and green woodpeckers, willow warblers, chiff-chaffs, nuthatches, yellowhammers, greenfinches, tree-creepers, tawny owl, little owl, coal tits, willow tits, chaffinches, and buzzards.

Meanwhile - the river banks are believed to have been occupied by nail-makers before the industrial revolution and there is evidence of sandstone quarrying, possibly to build nail-makers’ cottages, in among the bluebells.

Money raised from the open days will go to charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme - which this year announced a record-breaking £2.7 million would be split between its chosen causes including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and a host of others.

Keeper’s Cottage is located in Greensforge Lane, off the A458 Stourbridge to Bridgnorth Road.

Light refreshments and teas will be available during the open days.

For more information email peter@brookesmedia.com or go to http://www.ngs.org.uk