A TOWN centre ‘secret garden’ is set to appear on a television programme celebrating Britain’s best gardens.

The walled gardens of Millgate House Bed and Breakfast in Richmond, North Yorkshire, owned by Austin Lynch and Tim Culkin, is one of 30 gardens shortlisted from 600 nominated by the public to be part of Alan Titchmarsh’s Britain’s Best Back Gardens on ITV at 8pm tomorrow. (Tuesday)

Mr Lynch said Mr Titchmarsh visited his gardens last summer and was delighted with the garden, the bed and breakfast, and Richmond itself.

Mr Lynch said: “The show received around 600 nominations and we got down to the final 30.

“Alan found out we were also a B&B and actually stayed with us which we were thrilled about – he was a lovely man and he seemed really impressed with our gardens.

“We are passionate about plants and we also share an interest in antiques with him.”

Mr Lynch said his extensive walled garden is known locally as the secret garden, even though it is open to the public during summer months.

It is a terraced garden which steps down to the River Swale and has also won a Royal Horticultural Society national garden competition, beating off competition from 3,200 other gardens.

Mr Lynch said: “We are now an RHS garden so members get free access and we try to promote good gardening practices.”

The garden is open from April 1 to October 21 from 10am until 5pm.

It will appear on Britain’s Best Back Garden on Tuesday at 8pm.