Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Garden Club of Bermuda's 2008 series of Open Houses and Gardens, with three homes in Warwick parish on public view from 1 to 4 p.m.

They are 'Fleetwood Manor' at 39 Harbour Road, the original, Georgian part of which dates back to the 1790s. It's beautiful situation on land stretching from Harbour Road to the waters of Turtle Cove suggests it was the home of a seafarer.

Owned by Lt. Col. Michael and Elaine Darling, the house has undergone extensions and alterations over the years, but remains a home of enormous charm, warmth and character, with gardens of great beauty. Antique bricks mark the pathways and Bermuda cedar features heavily in windows, window frames, doors and beams. The rooms are tastefully furnished with antique cedar and mahogany furniture. Noteworthy is the library which features oars won by Col. Darling during his days as an Oxford University 'Blue'.

'Tristan' at 12 Tamarind Vale is the rambling, one-storey home of Heather and Tom Conyers. Set admidst tranquil gardens featuring citrus, old Bermuda cedars and birds-of-paradise, it started life as a small single-storey house some 90 years ago and is now a charming family home beside a pool and garden. A skylight filters natural light into the central hallway and the reception rooms are painted in intense, rich colours and furnished with fine Bermuda cedar pieces and Canadian pine antiques. Many of the Island's artists are represented in the owners' collection, including two works by professional artist Sheilagh Head: 'Vivienne's Garden' and 'Poppies on Gibbs Hill'. The garden features a waterfall cascading over stones into a free-form swimming pool, which appears to be part of the natural landscape.

'Sunflower Cottage' at 12 Rubber Tree Lane is owned by Chris and Debbie Brown. Built in the 1970s and purchased from a family member, its restoration and the establishment of its gardens has offered the new owners steady work for hands and imagination.

The front hallway features a graceful staircase with cherry treats, and the replacement, open spandrel was built by local craftsmen. Delicate watercolour botanicals, attributed to Lady Ramsbottom, wife of a former Governor, line the staircase.

Collections of wind chimes, aqua glass, miniatures in shadow boxes and chickens in various media, including needlepoint, dot the house. Mahogany, poinciana, fig, guava, banana and olive trees, and many species of tropical palms populate the gardens.

Adding to the charm of all three properties will be decorations expertly created by Garden Club flower arrangers. Club members will also be on hand to guide visitors through the homes and gardens, and offer a cool drink.

Part of the pleasure of visiting these homes and gardens is to stroll from one house to the next, but where they are located some distance apart, the Garden Club provides a volunteer shuttle service.

This week, public parking is at PHC, Stadium Lane, Middle Road, Warwick with shuttle service to the open houses. Alternatively the number eight bus to Spicelands Riding Centre from either Hamilton or Somerset is a short walk to 'Sunflower Cottage'.

The event will proceed rain, blow or shine, and admission to all three attractions is $30 per person. Monies raised are part of the Garden Club's annual fund-raiser for horticultural scholarships and environmental projects – a programme which has been running for over 50 years.

n For further information on the properties, and how to get there, as well as details of the full schedule of Open Houses and Gardens tours for the season, visit website www.gardenclubbermuda.org and click on 'Events'.