A DAY to celebrate gardens is taking place across Somerset today. 

Somerset Garden Day is a new event that aims to encourage people across the county to spend some time in their garden in the hopes of finding relaxation and happiness. 

A new study by Somerset Garden Day shows that out of 700 Somerset residents, 20 per cent spend more time gardening than they do relaxing in their gardens. 

The study also asked where the residents felt the happiest, 54 per cent said in their garden. 

Around 88 per cent of reported health and wellbeing benefits from spending time outdoors, with 55 per cent believing that spending time in their garden improved their mental health. 

Annie Maw, Lord-Lieutenant for Somerset, said: “Somerset Garden Day offers a rare chance for us to come together with neighbours, friends and family to celebrate our gardens – one of life’s greatest pleasures.

"Our gardens help us to feel happy, rejuvenated and inspired and Somerset Garden Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the pleasures that gardens bring.”

Helen Feary, Partner Gardens Manager at the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “The RHS wholeheartedly supports Somerset Garden Day as it chimes with our own vision ‘to enrich everyone’s lives through plants and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place’.

"So down tools, switch the kettle on and enjoy your garden on the 14th May – or visit someone else’s garden to relax and be inspired.”

For more information visit gardenday.co.uk