Stands of ancient trees, sweeping lawns and clipped box hedges leave no doubt that this is a formal garden of the black-tie variety.

This historic Braidwood property, which dates back to the 1830s, is one of four that will be open to the public for the Braidwood Open Gardens on November 1-2.

The inaugural event, a fund-raiser for the town’s not-for-profit preschool, will provide visitors with a rare glimpse into a unique part of the town’s rich history.

Sharing the same vintage as ‘Mona’ is ‘Bedervale’, a 1400-hectare sheep and cattle property whose 2.8 hectares of gardens feature ethereal sculptures in unexpected places.

Today the Georgian-Colonial-style house is listed by the Heritage Council and its rare historic furniture and contents are owned by The National Trust of Australia.

Just out of town is ‘Durham Hall’, an 1830s cottage set on 760 acres of prime grazing land at Jembaicumbene.

A sprawling lawn, mature shade trees and an old tennis court provide a glimpse of what life would have been like in early Victorian times.

It’s not hard to imagine horse-drawn carts approaching the stone steps along the now waist-high box hedges that line the old carriageway.

The fourth garden is 14 Solus Street, a vision of calm tucked away behind a pre-1900s home on the sweeping bend into Braidwood from Canberra.

Twelve years ago, the two-acre property was little more than a sheep paddock and a collection of weeds.

Today it is a lush and manicured oasis of lawn and colourful garden beds.

Other activities on offer at the gardens include face painting, pony rides, carriage rides, Devonshire tea, a sausage sizzle and guided tours of Bedervale homestead.

Entry is $5 per garden (under 18s free) and opening hours are 10am-4pm both days.

For more information, visit braidwoodgardens. com.au.