MOST of the year Bramshott can seem a mysterious place with sunken ancient lanes, quaint cottages and large houses tucked away behind high hedges.

But once every two years the most haunted village in England opens it doors to the public.

The 15th Bramshott open gardens event was opened by top chef and TV personality Antonio Carluccio and attracted almost 900 visitors over two days, raising more than £14,000 for good causes in the process.

That included the Red Cross appeal for the victims of the Alberta fires, in recognition of the strong links between Bramshott and Canada.

A frequent visitor to Bramshott during the mushroom foraging season, Antonio spoke about his love for the beautiful English countryside and its gardens, which are partly the reason, he says, why he has lived in the UK for the last 40 years.

He was welcomed by town crier Terry Burns with a poem: “Antonio, Antonio, wherefore art thou Antonio? Fungi forager, chef supreme, welcome to our little green.

“Bramshott opens up its gates, and open gardens now awaits. So cut the ribbon, maestro please, and gardeners rise up from your knees. Gardens open for your pleasure, please enjoy them, at your leisure.”

The range of all 27 open gardens was vast, from formal sweeping grandeur, Beverley Hills chic to delightful English country cottage appeal and also included some first time openers.

This year visitors were given details of some of the haunted houses in the village, including The Peppercorn, in Woolmer Lane, Covers Farm, in Church Lane, and The Old Mill, in Tunbridge Lane.

In nine different gardens, children and adults could also take part in a ’Gnome Hunt’, discovering secret letters and winning a treat.

Refreshments were served outside St Mary’s Church, while popular cream teas were available at a number of the open gardens over the weekend.

St Mary’s also hosted a flower festival and concert recital and displayed the Scroll of Remembrance, while Covers Barn was turned into an art gallery featuring local artists’ work.