National Gardens Scheme charities also benefited as visitors dug deep and raised more than £1,250 for Macmillan Cancer Care, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and others.

Mary Ellwood led a team of ladies providing refreshments and raised about £350 for the St Helen's Church Roof Repair Fund.

Rosalind Forbes Adam, who opened the event with husband Charles, described the day as extremely successful.

She added: "This is the first time the gardens have been opened in more than ten years following a major revamp of the walled gardens surrounding the Grade II listed Queen Anne house.

"The redesign was masterminded by my husband and myself, with help from Suffolk-based garden designer Miranda Holland-Cooper."

The gates to the gardens at Skipwith Hall are open once again on Saturday for the village fete at 2.30pm.

Highly-rated choir from North Duffield Village School together with the Barlby Foot-Tappers will provide entertainment along with a ride-on train, pony rides, games, stalls and a flower show in the Little Theatre.

All proceeds will go towards the St Helen's Church Roof Repair Fund. Entry is £2.50 for adults, while children under 16 get in for free.