England Gardens

Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens
Dorset
South-west Counties
Bullers Way, Abbotsbury
Tel. 01305 871 387
Open: March-Nov, daily, 10am-6pm; in winter until 4pm
Established 1765; rare and exotic plants from around the world; 18th century walled garden; shop; restaurant; parking; for photos and full details read our garden article on Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Web: Abbotsbury

Arley Hall and Gardens
Cheshire
North-west Counties
Arley, south of Stockport (near Great Budworth by Northwich)
Tel. 01565 777 353
Open: April-end Sep; gardens, chapel and grounds, Tue-Sun and BH, 11am-5pm; Oct, Sat and Sun, 11am-5pm; hall, Tue-Sun and BH, noon-5pm; Oct, Sun, noon-5pm
Historic Houses Association member; house dates from 1832-1845; ceilings, oak panelling, fireplaces; 8 acres of formal gardens; 7 acres of woodland garden and arboretum; shrub roses; walled gardens; lime avenue; kitchen garden; restaurant; shop; restaurant; plant nursery; special events; parking; picnic area
Web: Arley Hall and Gardens

Ballalheannagh Gardens
Isle of Man
Glen Roy, Lonan, Laxey
Tel. 01624 861 875
Open: April-Sep, garden, nursery and shop: Mon, Tue, and Thu, 1-5pm; Fri, 2-5pm garden only; all open Sat and Sun, 10am-4.30pm
30 acres of planted gardens; arboretum; streams; waterfalls; worldwide collection of plants

Barnsdale Gardens
Rutland
East Midlands
The Avenue
Exton, Oakham
Tel. 0 1572 813 200
Open: March-May, Sep-Oct, daily, 9am-5pm; June-Aug, daily, 9am-7pm; Nov-Feb, daily, 10am-4pm
38 individual gardens in eight acres; includes rock feature, cottage garden, stream and bog garden, winter border, woodland, wildlife garden, Japanese garden, rose garden, knot garden, fruit orchard, parterre, kitchen garden, grasses, herb garden, and others; plants for sale; shop; tea-room; parking
Web: Barnsdale Gardens

Barrington Court Gardens
Somerset
South-west Counties
Near Ilminster
Tel. 0 1460 241 938 and 0 140 242 614 (infoline)
Open: March-end Oct, Thu-Tue, 11am-5pm; Nov, weekends only, 11am-4pm
National Trust property; Tudor manor house (occupied by interior design firm) with walled gardens inspired by Gertrude Jekyll; apple orchards; estate cider; shop; plants and kitchen produce for sale; parking

Belsay Hall, Castle, and Gardens
Northumberland
North-east Counties
Belsay, seven miles from Ponteland
Tel. 01661 881 636
Open: April-end Sep, daily, 10am-5pm; Oct, daily, 10am-4pm; Nov-end March, Thu-Mon, 10am-4pm
English Heritage property; 30 acres of grounds with quarry garden; 14th century ruined castle with tower, turned into manor house, then Greek revival villa built in grounds; hall interior is empty of furnishings; parking; tea-room (open April-Oct and weekends in March); shop

Benington Lordship Gardens
Hertfordshire
Eastern Counties
Benington, off the A602
Just east of Stevenage, on a hilltop
Tel. 01438 869668
Open: special events only; dates on website
Herbaceous borders; old roses; rockery; orchard; Norman keep; kitchen garden; winter garden; snowdrops in Feb; pond
Web: Benington Lordship Gardens

Bennetts Water Gardens
Dorset
South-west Counties
Chickerell, on the B3157, 2 miles west of Weymouth
Tel. 01305 785 150
Open: April-Sep, Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm, also open BH Mon
Ponds and lakes in eight acre site; displays of water lilies, moisture loving plants, native trees, palms, wild plants and flowers; cafe; plant nursery; shop
Web: Bennetts Water Gardens

Beth Chatto Gardens
Essex
Eastern Counties
.25 mile east of Elmstead Market on the A133
Tel. 01206 822 007
Open: year round, March-end Oct, Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm; Nov-end Feb, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; closed Sat and Sun Nov-end Feb
6 acre garden includes water garden, gravel garden, woodland garden; plant nursery; tea-room
For photos and full details see our article Beth Chatto Gardens

Biddulph Grange Garden
Staffordshire
West Midlands
Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent
Tel. 01782 517 999
Open: first week March, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm; mid March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm; second week Nov-third week Dec, Sat and Sun, 11am-3pm
National Trust property; high Victorian gardens designed in the mid-19th century as a series of connected rooms with various themes; shop; tea-room; plant sales; parking

Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses
Greater Birmingham
West Midlands
Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Tel. 0121 454 1860
Open: daily except Christmas; 9am except 10am on Sun, close at 7pm, April-Sep, 5pm or dusk, Oct-March
15 acres opened in 1832; designed by J. C. Loudon, leading garden planner, horticultural journalist and publisher; Children’s’ Discovery Garden for three-six-year-olds; rock garden and pool; acer collection; azalea valley; rhododendron walk; wildlife glade; herbaceous border; British wetlands habitat; herb garden; winter garden and fountain; fern garden and woodland walk; cottage garden; lawn; terrace; tropical and sub-tropical glasshouses; Mediterranean orangery; arid glasshouse; aviary; National Bonsai Collection; gallery displays of local artists; reference library of horticultural books; tea-room; shop; car park; conferences; weddings; events;workshops; exhibitions
Web: Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses

Blake Hall Gardens
Essex
Eastern Counties
Bobbingworth, Chipping Ongar
Tel. 01277 366 687
Open: for special events only; check website
House is corporate venue; gardens include tropical greenhouse and large maze
Web: Blake Hall Gardens

Bonthyon Estate Gardens
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, Lizard peninsula
Tel. 01326 240 550
Open: gardens--April-end Sep Tue-Fri, 10am-4.30pm; house not open
17th century manor house with 20 acres of gardens; rhododendrons, azaleas, amaranthus, dahlias, cannas, hydrangeas; bluebell wood; Georgian walled garden with salvias, roses, tulips, iris, herbaceous border; vegetable garden; specimen trees; teas and home-made cakes; holiday accommodation
Web: Bonthyon Estate Gardens

Borde Hill Garden
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
Tel. 01444 450326
Email: Borde Hill Garden
Open: April-Oct, daily, 10am-6pm or dusk if earlier
Member: Historic Houses Association
Borde Hill Garden won the 21st HHA/Christie’s garden of the year award; 200 acres of parkland; 17 acres of garden rooms; rhododendrons, azaleas, David Austin roses; Italian garden; lakes; sub-tropical area; restaurant; children's playground; picnic area; fishing; for photos and details see our article Borde Hill Garden
Web: Borde Hill

Bourton House Gardens
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Bourton on Hill, 1.75 miles west of Moreton in Marsh
Tel. 01386 700 754
Open: June-end Aug, Wed-Fri, also BH Sun and Mon in May and Aug, 10am-5pm; Sep and Oct, Thu and Fri, 10am-5pm; May-end Aug, open on Thu until 7.30pm
Historic Houses Association member; house (not open) built on former monastic grounds; three acre ornamental garden with late 17th century raised walk; original kitchen garden;orchard, (restored late 1900s); seven acre walled pasture with specimen trees and sculpture; garden of the year award 2006; contemporary gallery of art and design in 1570 tithe barn; light refreshments
Web: Bourton House Gardens

Bressingham Gardens and Steam Experience
Norfolk
Eastern Counties
Thetford Road, Bressingham
Tel. 01379 686 900
Open: April-Sep, 10:30am-5pm; Oct-March, 11am-4:30pm
Steam train that runs through gardens; garden shop
Web: Bressingham Steam and Gardens

Brobury House Gardens
Herefordshire
West Midlands
Brobury
Tel. 0 1981 500 229
Open: garden, year round, Mon-Sat, 9am-4.30pm; house not open except for bed and breakfast
House, near river Wye, built 1880 by Mr Houghton from Manchester; his coat of arms over front door; 8 acres of formal Victorian gardens and water meadows; herbaceous borders; pool; orchard; 100 year old conifers; viewpoint over valley to Regency style vicarage of Rev Francis Kilvert, Victorian diarist; gardens redesigned since 2001 while keeping to the historic footprint; two self-catering cottages; art courses; parking
Web: Brobury House

Brockhole
Cumbria
North-west Counties
National Park Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere
halfway between Ambleside and Windermere on the A591
Tel. 0 15394 46601
Open: gardens, adventure playground and grounds, year round, dawn-6pm; house, cafe and shop, daily, spring-end Oct, 10am-5pm
30 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland on shores of lake Windermere; garden designed by Thomas Mawson; Edwardian terraces with unusual plants; orangery; kitchen garden; scented garden; wildflower meadow; displays on the Lake District's geological, social, and industrial history; AV presentations; shop; restaurant; picnic tables; parking (charge)

Broxwood Court Gardens
Herefordshire
West Midlands
Broxwood, Leominster
Tel. 01544 340 245
Open: on an informal basis for special occasions, eg the Red Cross, local charities, church and parish events, and for groups by prior arrangement on a mutually convenient day
30 acre garden designed in 19th century by Nesfield; Wellingtonias, Scots pines, hew hedges; rose garden; lawns; ponds; trout lake; peacocks; small chapel; summer house; view of Black mountains; bed and breakfast accommodation
Web: Broxwood Court

Burnby Hall Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Pocklington, B1246/1247 in east Yorkshire
Tel. 0 1759 307 125
Open: end March-end Sep, daily, 10am-6pm
8 acres of National Collection of Hardy Waterlilies; ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers; tea-room; shop; museum on founder; some Sunday summer concerts; disabled friendly
Web: Burnby Hall Gardens

Caerhays Castle and Gardens
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Caerhays, Gorran, St Austell
Tel. 01872 501 310
Open: booking recommended for house tours; 2nd week March-end May, Mon-Fri, noon-4pm with last tour at 3pm; gardens, mid Feb-end May, daily, 10am-5pm
Historic Houses Association property; English Heritage grade I listed building built by John Nash, 1807-1810; parkland; 100 acre woodland gardens are English Heritage grade II listed; gardens best in spring; shop; tea-room; parking at Porthluney Beach
Web: Caerhays Castle

Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
Cambridgeshire
Eastern Counties
Bateman St, Cambridge
Tel. 01223 336 265
Open: April-Sep, daily, 10am-6pm; Feb-March, and Oct, daily, 10am-5pm; Nov-Jan, daily, 10am-4pm
Established in 1831 as teaching garden; trees and shrubs; rock garden; lake and winter garden; tropical rainforest; alpine house; 1600 flowering plants; plant collections; herbaceous borders; woodland garden; scented garden
Web: Cambridge University Botanic Gardens

Cannon Hall Museum, Park & Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, north-west of Barnsley
Tel. 01226 79020
Open: garden and park year round; walled garden locked at night. msueum, Nov, Dec, and March, Sun, noon-4pm, last admission 3.15pm; April-Oct, Wed-Fri, 10.30am-5pm, Sat and Sun, noon-5pm
70 acres of parkland and gardens; rhododendrons in spring; walled garden; house is a museum with collections of furniture, paintings, glassware, pottery; tea-room; shop; free admission

Canons Ashby
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
West of Bedford and south of Daventry on minor road
Tel. 01327 861900 or 01327 860 044 (infoline)
Open: April-end 3rd week Dec, house, church, shop and tea-room and gardens at different times and days depending on date; check National Trust website for full details
National Trust property; Elizabethan manor house with plasterwork; kitchen; dairy; medieval priory church; 70 acres of terraces, walled gardens, herbaceous borders, orchard, and parkland

Chatsworth
Derbyshire
East Midlands
Three miles east of Bakewell, off the B6012
Tel. 01246 565 300
Open: April-3rd week Dec; house, 11am-5.30 pm, last admission 4.30pm; garden from 11am-6pm, last admission 5pm; gardens open 10.30am in June, July and Aug; farmyard and adventure playground, 10.30am-5.30pm, last admission 4.30pm; shops, 11am-5.30pm; restaurant, 10.15am-5pm; park open all year
One of Britain’s Treasure Houses, home of Dukes of Devonshire since 1552; 26 elaborate rooms with painted ceilings, library, sculptures, paintings, gilding, marble, furniture, gold and silver plate; 1000 acres of parkland with 105 acres of gardens, water cascade, canal pond with tallest gravity-fed fountain in the world, maze, rose garden, rock garden, arboretum; farmyard; shop; playground; restaurant; for photos and full details see our article Chatsworth
Web: Chatsworth

Chelsea Physic Garden
Greater London
66 Royal Hospital Rd
London SW3 4HS
Tel. 020 7352 5646
Open: noon-5pm, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun from 3rd week March; BH and Good Friday, noon-6pm; also open Mon and Tue during Chelsea Flower Show; in July and Aug open till 10pm on Wed.
Garden founded in 1673 as an apothecaries' garden to train apprentices in identifying plants; pharmaceutical garden with 5000 medicinal plants and some rare and endangered species; glasshouse with tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean species; perfumery and aromatherapy borders; Grade II historic rock garden; special events listed on website; café open from 12.30pm (buffet style); shop with garden related items.
Web: Chelsea Physic Garden

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens
Cheshire
North-west Counties
Malplas, seven miles north of Whitchurch Tel/Fax. 0 1829 720 383
Open: gardens: April-end Sep, Wed, Thu, Sun and BH, 11am-5pm; house only to groups
Historic Houses Association member; 19th century fake castle; water garden; rose garden; mixed border garden; lakeside walks; rare breed farm animals; children's play area; picnic area; parking

Claremont Landscape Garden
Surrey
South-east Counties
Portsmouth Rd, Esher
Tel. 01372 467 806
Open: Jan-end March, Nov-end Dec, daily except Mon from 10am-5pm, rest of year from 10am-6pm weekdays and until 7pm on weekends
National Trust property; one of earliest English landscape gardens to survive, dating from before 1720; lake; grass amphitheatre; island; pavillion; grotto; estate walks; children's play area; shop; tea-room; parking

Colchester Castle Park
Essex
Eastern Counties
Colchester
23 acre Victorian park; concerts, fairs, flower beds and gardens, playground, pitch and putt, boating lake, river walks; Victorian bandstand, Roman wall, Colchester Castle Museum in grounds
For photos and more information see our article on Colchester

Constable Burton Hall Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Three miles east of town of Leyburn
Tel. 01677 450 428
Open: garden, mid March-end Sep, daily, 9am-6pm; house not open
Historic Houses Association member; terraced gardens; woodland ferns, lilies, roses and wildflowers; garden trails; rockery; stream garden
Web: Constable Burton Hall Gardens

Coton Manor Garden
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
9 miles north-west of Northampton
Tel. 01604 740 219
Open: April-end Sep, Tue-Sat, and BH weekends, noon,-5.30pm; also Sun in April-May, noon-5.30pm
Historic Houses Association member; roses; water gardens; yew hedges; meadows and bluebell woods; shop; cafe; plant nursery; garden school
Web: Coton Manor Garden

Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
Ten miles north of Northampton
on the A5199 near Brixworth and Kelmarsh between Rugby and Kettering, off the A14
Tel. 01604 505 808
Open: May and June, Wed and Thu, 2-5.30pm; July, Aug, and Sep, Thu, 2-5.30pm; also open BH Mon, 2-5.30pm
Historic Houses Association member; 1702 house; famous picture collection; furniture; porcelain; 18th century landscaped gardens; herbaceous borders; water gardens; specimen trees; wild gardens; parking; special events; tea-room
Web: Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens

Cusworth Hall , Museum, and Park
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Cusworth Lane, Cusworth, near Doncaster
Tel. 01302 782 342
Open: park, dawn to dusk year round; museum, Mon-Fri, 10.30am-5pm, Sat and Sun, 1-5pm; tea-room, daily, 10am-4pm
Terrace; hanging lawns; lakes; cascade; rock arch; plantations; shrubbery walk; Georgian house Grade 1 listed building houses Museum of South Yorkshire Life with details of home, work, and social life of people and communities of south Yorkshire in last 250 years; tea-room; pay and display car park

Doddington Hall and Gardens
Lincolnshire
East Midlands
Doddington, 5 miles west of Lincoln
Tel. 01522 694 308
Open: gardens: mid Feb-end April, Sun, 1-5pm; Oct, Sun, 1-5pm. house and gardens: May-end Sep, Wed, Sun, and BH, 1-5pm
Historic Houses Association member; late Elizabethan brick mansion with formal courtyard gardens; collections of furniture, textiles, paintings and porcelain; walled rose gardens; walled kitchen garden; wild garden with spring bulbs; rhododendrons; ancient chestnut trees; woodland and parkland with nature trails; flowering borders; farm shop; cafe; parking
Web: Doddington Hall

Dorothy Clive Garden
Staffordshire
West Midlands
Off the A51, between Market Drayton and Stoke-on-Trent
Tel. 01630 647 237
Open: mid March-end Sep, daily, 10am-5.30pm
Woodland garden; alpine scree; gravel garden; mixed borders; spring bulbs; flowering trees and shrubs; quarry garden; special events; tea-room; parking
Web: Dorothy Clive Garden

Easton Lodge Gardens
Essex
Eastern Counties
Park Road, Little Easton, by Great Dunmow
Off the B184
Tel. 01371 876 979
Open: Feb/March for snowdrops daily; otherwise, Easter-end Oct, Fri-Sun and BH, noon-6pm or dusk
Historic Houses Association member; 23 acres of gardens in process of restoration; topiary, lakes, fountains; parking
See full details and photos in our article Easton Lodge Gardens
Web: Easton Lodge Gardens

Easton Walled Gardens
Lincolnshire
East Midlands
Grantham
Tel. 01476 530 063
Open: Easter-end Aug, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun and BH Mon, 11am-4pm; Sep, same except closed on Thu; Oct-Nov, Sun only, 11am-4pm; open Sun in winter for walks; open snowdrop week in Feb
Historic Houses Association member; 12 acres of historic gardens re-invented; shop; restaurant
Web: Easton Walled Gardens

Eden Project
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Eden Project, in countryside at Bodelva
Tel. 01726 811 911
Open: daily except 24/25 Dec, mid March-end Oct, 10am-6pm; Nov-mid March, 10am-4.30pm
Large grounds with tropical and temperate bio-domes and other garden attractions; large shop; restaurants; parking; for more information and photos see our article Eden Project
Web: Eden Project

Emmetts Garden
Kent
South-east Counties
Ide Hill, Sevenoaks
Tel. 01732 868 381 and 01732 751 509 (infoline)
Open: mid March-end May, Tue-Sun, 11am-5pm; June, Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm; July-end Oct, Wed, Sat, Sun, 11am-5pm
National Trust property; plantsman's garden of late 19th century; exotic and rare trees and shrubs; bluebells, daffodils, rose garden; rhododendrons and azaleas; shop; plant sales; parking; tea-room

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway
Hampshire
South-east Counties
New Forest, near Beaulieu (signposted)
Tel. 023 8089 1203
Open: mid March-end Oct, daily, 10am-5.30pm
200-acre woodland garden; home to the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons; steam railway; maize maze in August; special events
Web: Exbury Gardens

Felbrigg Hall
Norfolk
Eastern Counties
Near the village of Felbrigg
Tel. 01263 837 444
Open: various days and times for different attractions; check NT website for exact dates, days and times
National Trust property; grounds; walks; lake; walled garden; dovecote; house built before and after civil war, an amalgamation of different centuries; Georgian drawing room; library; kitchen with collection copperware; restaurant; shop; plant sales; parking, fee charged

Garden House
Devon
South-west Counties
Buckland Monachorum, by Yelverton
Tel. 01822 854 749; Fax. 01822 855358
Open: March-end Oct, 10.30am-5pm
Eight acres of naturalistic planting; more than 6000 different varieties; terraced walled garden; sunken garden; acer glade; crocus, rhododendrons, azaleas; 16th century tower; tea-room
Web: The Garden House

Garden of the Rose
Hertfordshire
Eastern Counties
2 miles south of St Albans and .5 mile west of the B4630
Tel. 01727 850461
Open: June-3rd week Sep, Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm
Royal National Rose Society collection with 1800 different varieties and 30,000 plants; tea-room

Gibside
Tyne and Wear (Tyneside)
North-east Counties
Near Rowlands Gill, Burnopfield, Newcastle
Tel. 01207 541 820
Open: grounds, daily; Nov-end Feb, 10am-4pm; March-end Oct, 10am-6pm; chapel, mid Mrch-end Oct, daily, 11am-4.30pm
National Trust property; 400 acre 18th century designed landscape garden; decorative garden buildings; woodlands; terrace; 1760 built chapel; wildlife hide; audio guide; special events; shop; tea-room; parking

Glendurgan Garden
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Mawnan Smith, Falmouth
Tel. 01326 250 906
Open: mid Feb-end July, Sep-Oct, Tue-Sat 10.30am-5.30pm; Aug, Mon-Sat, 10.30am-5.30pm; also open BH Mon
National Trust property; subtropical garden with three valleys, hamlet, and beach; trees, rare and exotic plants; wildflowers; magnolias; laurel maze; recreated schoolhouse; tea-room; shop; plant sales; parking

Godinton House and Gardens
Kent
South-east Counties
Godinton Lane, Ashford
Tel. 01233 620 773
Open: April-end Oct; garden daily, 2-5.30pm; house, Fri, Sat, Sun, 2-5.30pm by guided tour; tea-room, Fri, Sat, Sun, 2-5pm
Medieval hall; furniture; porcelain; 12 acre garden; ponds; topiary; roses; daffodils; walled garden; wild garden; Italian garden; greenhouses; parkland; special events; tea-room
Web: Godinton House and Gardens

Goodnestone Park Gardens
Kent
South-east Counties
near Canterbury, Kent off the B4026
Tel. 01304 840 107
Open: for early spring bulbs and shrubs only on Sundays in Feb and early March (contact for details), noon-4pm; 3rd week March-end May, Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm; June-end Sep, Tue-Fri, and Sun, 11am-5pm; also open BH
Historic Houses Association member; walled garden; old-fashioned roses; perennials; annuals; vegetables and caged fruit; park, ancient trees
Web: Goodnestone Park Gardens

Great Comp Garden
Kent
South-east Counties
Comp Lane, Platt, two miles east of Borough Green
Tel. 01732 886 154
Open: April-end Oct, daily, 11am-5pm
Seven acres with ruins, terraces, woodland walk, and collections of trees, shrubs, perennials, and heathers; tea-room; parking
Web: Great Comp Garden

Great Dixter House and Gardens
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Northiam, near Rye, East Sussex
Tel. 01797 252 878
Open: April-3rd week Oct, Tue-Sun and BH Mon; garden, 11am-5pm; house, 2-5pm
Historic Houses Association member; Christopher Lloyd gardens; timber-framed medieval house with great hall, solar and parlour; shop; parking; plant nursery
Web: Great Dixter

Greenway Gardens
Devon
South-west Counties
Greenway Road, Galmpton, nr Brixham, TQ5 0ES
On banks of river Dart
Tel. 0 1803 842382 (Infoline)
Open: March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 10.30am-5pm; phone info line for further details
National Trust property; woodland garden with important collection of trees and shrubs; walks and coutryside surrounding home (1938-59) of famous mystery writer Agatha Christie; Hercule Poirot stories written here; ground floor rooms and main first floor rooms open to public; includes library with collection of her books and dolls from family collection; writing desk; drawing room; shop; plant sales; parking (traffic management system in operation); for ferry connection telephone Greenway Ferry and Quay Services (licensed operators to the NT) 01803 844010; café; self catering cottages; special events and tours; garden; Victorian fernery; vinery; boathouse; barn gallery with contemporary art
Web: Greenway

Grimsthorpe Castle, Park and Gardens
Lincolnshire
East Midlands
Four miles north-west of Bourne
Tel. 01778 591205
Open: park and gardens, April-May, Sun, Thu, and BH Mon, 11am-6pm; June-Sep, Sun-Thu; house same days as park, 1-6pm
Historic Houses Association member; 3000 acre landscaped park with lakes, woods, trails; house has state rooms, picture galleries, tapestries, and furniture; parking; tea-room; shop
For further details and photos see our article at Grimsthorpe Castle
Web: Grimsthorpe Castle

Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest
Kent
South-east Counties
Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells
Tel. 01892 863 999
Open: gardens only April-end Oct, daily, 10am-5.30pm or dusk if earlier
Historic Houses Association member; 300 year old traditional gardens and ancient woodlands; house not open to public; knot garden; herbaceous border; rose garden; oriental garden; shop; tea-room; Enchanted Forest especially for kids; picnic area
Web: Groombridge Place Gardens

Hall Place and Gardens
Greater London
Bourne Rd, Bexley, on A2 near junction 2 of M25
Tel. 01322 526 574
Open: house: April-Oct, Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 11am-5pm; Nov-end March, Tue-Sat, 10am-4.15pm; parkland and gardens, daily, year round, 8am-dusk
Grade I listed house with Tudor great hall, minstrel gallery, decorative plaster ceilings, and long gallery; Grade II listed gardens; topiary, herb garden; Italianate garden; flower borders; walled garden; subtropical plant house; art exhibitions; shop; plant nursery; restaurant; cafe; visitor centre; parking

Hare Hill
Cheshire
North-west Counties
Over Alderley, Macclesfield, off the B5087
Tel. 01625 584 412
Open: April-mid May and June-end Oct, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun, 10am-5pm; mid May-end May, daily, 10am-5pm; also open BH Mon
National Trust property; woodland garden with azaleas, 70 varieties of rhododendrons; azaleas; hollies; hostas; walled garden with wire sculptures; parkland; car park

Harewood House and Garden
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Wetherby, on the A61 near Harrogate
Tel. 0113 2181010
Open: daily, April-end Oct; house, noon-4pm, grounds and gardens, 10am-6pm; below stairs, 10.30am-4pm; bird garden, 10am-5.30pm; Nov, Dec, Feb, and early March, check website for full details
Former home of Princess Mary and now home of Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin; Adams interior with plaster ceilings, furniture, portraits and family photos; Below Stairs exhibition; old kitchen with copperware collection; 1000 acres of parkland with terraced gardens; roses; walled gardens; lake; walks; aviary; three shops
Web: Harewood House and Garden

Harlaxton Manor
Lincolnshire
East Midlands
South-east of Harlaxton, 4 miles from Grantham
Tel. 01476 403 000
Open: first Sun June and last in July, 11am-5pm
Neo-Elizabethan house now a college; gardens on seven levels; conservatory; nature trail; ornamental water features

Harlow Carr RHS Garden
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Crag Lane, Harrogate
Tel. 01423 565418
Open: daily, 9.30am-6pm or dusk
Royal Horticultural Society garden; 58 acres; scented garden; winter garden; heather garden; displays; stream; woodland; arboretum; Museum of Gardening; National Collections; plant centre; shop; café; trial gardens
Web: Royal Horticultural Society

Haughley Park
Suffolk
Eastern Counties
Four miles northwest of Stowmarket, signed off A14
Tel. 01359 240 701
Open: garden only, May-Sep, Tue, and last Sun in April and 1st Sun in May, 2-5:30pm; house (built 1620) visits by appointment
Historic Houses Association member; six acres of gardens include woodland walks with 20 acres of bluebells; decorative plants; rhododendrons; weddings in the barn
Web: Haughley Park

Helmingham Hall Gardens
Suffolk
Eastern Counties
On the B1077, 5 miles south of Debenham
Tel. 01473 890 799
Open: gardens only: May-mid Sep, Sun and Wed and BH Mon, 2-6pm
Historic Houses Association member;
Tudor hall in 400 acre deer park; moated garden; rose garden; herb and knot gardens; 13th century church with memorials; produce stall; tea-room; special events; car park
Web: Helmingham Hall Gardens

Hergest Croft Gardens
Herefordshire
West Midlands
Ridgebourne Rd, Kington
Tel. 01544 230 160
Open: April-end Oct, noon-5.30pm
50 acres; 4000 rare plants and shrubs; collection of rhododendrons and azaleas; woodland glades; hidden valley with oak wood and giant rhododendrons; azalea garden; flower borders; kitchen garden; old rockery; croquet lawn; yew hedges; Edwardian house in grounds; tea-room; shop; plant sales
Web: Hergest Croft Gardens

Herstmonceux Castle
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Hailsham, East Sussex
Tel. 0 1323 832 731
Open: grounds and garden, mid April-end Oct, 10am-6pm; last admission 5pm; closed two days in July and for special events; castle by guided tour only weekends, phone to book
Moated 15th century brick castle in parkland; guided tours of interior; Elizabethan gardens and parkland; woodland trails; rhododendrons; rose and herb gardens; lakes; shop; visitor centre; science centre; tea-room; nature trail; children's play area; now owned by Queen’s university, Canada, and a study centre; bed and breakfast in dormitory out of school time; parking
Web: Herstmonceux Castle

Hestercombe Gardens
Somerset
South-west Counties
Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton
Tel. 01823 413923
Open: year round, daily (except 25 Dec), 10am-6pm; last admission 5pm
Historic Houses Association member; 50 acres of Grade I gardens include formal gardens by Sir Edwin Lutyens, an orangery, terraces, and pools; 40 acres of lakes and walks; tea-room; restaurant; shop
Web: Hestercombe Gardens

Heveningham Hall
Suffolk
Eastern Counties
Halfway between Heveningham and Walpole
On minor road, 5 miles south-west of Halesworth, off the B1117
Tel. 01986 798 151
Open: phone to ask as times not given other than country fair (10am-6pm), which is one day per year in July
Palladian house built in 1700s; park and lake created by ‘Capability’ Brown; walled garden; contemporary garden; orangery; country fair
Web: Country Fair at Hevingham Hall

Hidcote Manor Garden
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Hidcote Bartrim, four miles north-east of Chipping Campden
Tel. 01386 438 333
Open: garden: mid March-end June and Sep, Sat-Wed, 10am-6pm; July-end Aug, Fri-Wed, 10am-6pm; Oct, Sat-Wed, 10am-5pm; sho, cafe etc open various times when gardens open
National Trust property; 20th century garden created by Lawrence Johnston in Arts and Crafts style; garden rooms; herbaceous borders; rare trees and shrubs; shop; plant sales; parking; cafe; restaurant

High Beeches Garden
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
High Beeches Lane, Handcross
One mile east of the A23, on the south side of the B2110
Tel: 01444 400 589
Open: mid March-end Oct, daily except Wed, 1-5pm
Early 20th century 20-acre woodland garden; rare and unusual shrubs and trees; National Collection of Stewartia Trees; daffodils; bluebells; rare oak trees; wildflower meadow; special events; tea-room (tearoom open other months also)
Web: High Beeches

Hinton Ampner Garden
Hampshire
South-east Counties
Bramdean, Alresford
Off the A272, one mile west of Bramdean village, eight miles south-east of Winchester
Tel. 01962 771 305
Open: House: mid March-end Oct, Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun, noon-5pm; last entry to house 4.45pm; Garden/tea-room, and shop: mid-March-end Oct, Sat-Wed, 11am-5pm, last entry 4.30; also open first three weeks Dec, weekends, 11am-4pm
National Trust property; house, remodeled in the 1900s, has collection of furniture, paintings, and objets d'art; 20th century gardens include topiary, sunken garden, long walk, and dell; shop; plant sales; parking; small tea-room

Hodnet Hall Gardens
Shropshire
West Midlands
Hodnet, Market Drayton, on the A53 north of Shrewsbury
Tel. 01630 685 786
Open: May- Sep, noon-5pm, specific dates only, phone or check website
60 acres of gardens; trees; woodland walks; pools; lakes; waterfalls; tea-room; plant sales; parking
Web: Hodnet Hall Gardens

Hodsock Priory Gardens
Nottinghamshire
East Midlands
Blyth, on the B6045
Tel. 01909 591 204
Open: Feb, daily, 10am-4pm
Five acre garden on 800 acre farmed estate; woodland walks; winter borders; snowdrops a big feature; shop; tea-room; history room on the renovated priory; plant stall; parking
Web: Hodsock Priory Gardens

Holdenby House, Gardens, and Falconry Centre
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
Six miles northwest of Northampton
Off the A428 or A5199
Tel. 01604 77074
Open: gardens and falconry centre, May-end Aug, Sun and BH Mon, 1-5pm; gardens only, Sun and BH Mon in April and Sep, 1-5pm; house open three days in the year only, noon-5pm, phone for appointment to view
Historic Houses Association member; former palace of Charles I--kitchen, ballroom, library, dining room; piano room; 20 acre Grade I listed; walled kitchen garden; Victorian greenhouses; Elizabethan garden (restored); collection of silver leafed plants; 50 birds of prey on display
Web: Holdenby House, Gardens, and Falconry Centre

Holker Hall and Gardens
Cumbria
North-west Counties
Cark-in-Cartmel, 5 miles west of Grange-over-Sands
Tel. 0 15395 58328
Open: mid March-end Oct; house: Sun-Fri, 11am-4pm; gardens: Sun-Fri, 10.30am-5.30pm (close 4pm out of season); food hall and restaurant: 2nd week Jan-23 Dec, daily, 10.30am-5.30pm; out of season, daily, 10.30am-4pm; gift shop: Feb-23 Dec, daily, 10.30am-5.30pm in season, until 4pm out of season
25 acres of gardens with 17-19th century home set in large estate; English and Italianate features originally designed by Sir Joseph Paxton; altered by Thomas Mawson in 1910; additions include arboretum, conservatory, low terraces by the house, and balustraded boundary; specimen trees and shrubs; limestone cascade; roses; azaleas; rhododendrons; spring bulbs; oldest monkey puzzle tree in England; deer park; wildflower meadow; craft and countryside museum; special events; parking
Web: Holker Estate

Houghton Lodge and Gardens
Hampshire
South-east Counties
Houghton, on minor road 1.5 miles south of Stockbridge (A30)
Tel. 01264 810 502
Open: gardens and hydroponicum: March-end Oct, daily, 10am-5pm, except closed on Wed; house by appointment
Historic Houses Association member; gardens beside the river Test; landscape is Grade II listed; greenhouses; herb garden; herbaceous borders; topiary; wild flowers; orchid collection; park and water meadows; house is 18th century cottage Ornee; weddings and receptions held
Web: Houghton Lodge Garden

Ickworth House, Park and Garden
Suffolk
Eastern Counties
Horringer, 3 miles south-west of Bury St Edmunds, n west side of A143
Tel. 01284 735 270
Open: Park: all year, 8am-8pm, daily; House: mid March-end Sep, Fri-Tue, 1-5pm; Oct, same days, 1-4.30pm; Garden: March-mid March, Fri-Tue, 11am-4pm; mid March-end Oct, daily, 10am-5pm
National Trust property; eccentric house with central rotunda and curved corridors; east wing is now a hotel; west wing is conference and wedding facilities; state rooms; paintings; Georgian silver; Italianate garden; 1800 acres of parkland; woodland walks; deer; vineyard; Georgian summerhouse; church; canal; lake; shop; restaurant; parking

Kelmarsh Hall
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
Kelmarsh, near the A14/A508 junction
Tel. 01604 686 543
Open: Gardens: April-end Sep, Sun, Tue, Wed, Thu, 2-5pm; House: Thu only, 2-5pm; tea-rooms same as gardens; several extra open days--see website for full details
1700s Palladian style mansion; walled and informal gardens; sunken garden; parkland; tea-room; gallery; shop; parking
Web: Kelmarsh Hall

Kew (Royal Botanic Gardens)
Surrey
South-east Counties
Kew, on the A307/A205, 10km south-west London, on south bank of River Thames
Best reached by public transport from London
Tel. 020 8332 5655
Open: 9.30am daily, closing depends on time of year
World Heritage site, 300 acres of gardens; Palm House; numerous conservatories; collections; walks; much more; shops; restaurants; see our article for photos and full details Kew Royal Botanic Gardens
Web: Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Four miles north-east of Chipping Campden
Tel. 01386 438 777
Open: April, Aug, Sep, Sun, Mon, Wed, 2-6pm; May, June, July, Sat-Wed, noon-6pm
Historic Houses Association member; interconnecting gardens; Mediterranean area; white sunken garden; roses; borders; water garden; summerhouse; bluebell wood; light lunches and teas in June and July; parking
Web: Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Kingston Maurward Gardens
Dorset
South-west Counties
Dorchester, eastern end A35 Dorchester bypass
Tel. 01305 215 003
Open: year round, daily (except last week Dec-1st week Jan), 10am-5.30pm
For photos and full details see our article Kingston Maurward Gardens
Web: Kingston Maurward Gardens

Lamport Hall and Gardens
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
10 miles north of Northampton, on the A5199 near Brixworth and Kelmarsh, between Rugby and Kettering off the A14
Tel. 01604 686 272
Open: by tour or non-guided; Easter-mid Oct, 2.15-5.15pm; check on website for open days which vary greatly
Grade I listed house; furniture; china; books; paintings; library; lawns; rockery; Italian garden; alpine garden; herbaceous borders; shrubs; cockpit; tea-room for house visitors only; special events and fairs
Web: Lamport Hall and Gardens

Larmer Tree Gardens
Wiltshire
South-west Counties
Tollard Royal, Salisbury
Tel. Events and Group Bookings: 01725 516 971; Office: 01725 516 225; Garden Info: 01725 516 228 (info phone)
Open: Easter-end Sep; Sun-Thu, 11am-4.30pm; closed in July and some weeks in Sep
Victorian gardens created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880 as pleasure grounds for "public ‎enlightenment and entertainment"; ‎collection of ornate buildings; trees; arbours; woodland; rhododendrons; camellias; hydrangeas; music festival in July; tea-room (Wed, Sun, BH only); parking
Web: Larmar Tree Gardens

Levens Hall
Cumbria
North-west Counties
Five miles south of Kendal, off the A590/A6
Tel. 0 15395 60321
Open: April-first week Oct, Sun-Thu; gardens, shop and eatery from 10am-5pm, house from noon-4pm (last entry, closes at 4.30pm).
Elizabethan house and Grade I listed building; furniture; paintings; plasterwork; famous yew topiary gardens; beech hedges; rose garden; fountain garden; herb garden; vegetable borders; orchard; steam engine collection; shop; plant centre; children’s play area; estate walks in the deer park
Web: Levens Hall

Living Rainforest
Berkshire
South-east Counties
Hampstead Norreys, near Newbury, north of the M4, off the B4009
Tel. 01635 202 444
Open: daily, 10am-5pm; closed 24-26 Dec Phone to check if open due to Feb 14 2009 fire
Ecosystem experience of the rainforest with plants, animals, human needs, economies, and cultures explored in a living setting; shop; cafe; parking; for photos and more information see our article
Living Rainforest
Web: Living Rainforest

Loseley Park Gardens
Surrey
South-east Counties
Stakescorner Rd, just south of Guilford
Tel. 01483 304 440
Open: house, May-Aug, Tue-Thu, Sun and BH Mon, 1-5pm, by guided 45 minute tour only; grounds, garden, shop and tea-room, May-Sep, Tue-Sun and BH Mon, 11am-5pm; shop also open end Nov-two weeks Dec for Christmas shopping
Walled garden with over 1000 old-fashioned rose bushes; herb garden with over 200 herbs; flower garden with herbaceous plants and bulbs; white garden with water feature; organic vegetable garden; wildflower meadow; shop; tea-room; parking; see our Loseley Park House entry also under Historic Homes Attractions
Web: Loseley Park

Lost Gardens of Heligan
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Pentewan, St Austell
Tel. 01726 845 100
Open: year round, daily except 24/25 Dec; March-end Oct, 10am-6pm; Nov-end Feb, 10am-5pm
Restored 19th century gardens and woodland; walled gardens; glasshouses; pleasure grounds; subtropical garden; tea-room; shop; plant sales; farm shop; parking
Web: Lost Gardens of Heligan

Lullingstone Castle and World Garden of Plants
Kent
South-east Counties
Eynsford, Kent
Tel. 0 1322 862 114
Open: April-Oct, Fri, Sat and BH, garden from noon-5pm, house from 2pm; on Sun both from 2-6pm; Wed and Thu, guided groups (20) only
Historic Houses Association member; Tom Hart Dyke’s two acre world garden of plants; 1497 manor house and gatehouse; 120 acres of grounds; 15 acre lake; ice house; Norman St Botolph's Parish Church with some of oldest stained glass windows in England; refreshments available at Lullingstone Park 10 min walk away

Lyveden New Bield
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
Four miles south-west of Oundle by .5 mile footpath
Tel. 01832 205 358
Open: mid March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 10.30am-5pm; Aug, daily, 10.30am-5pm; Nov-mid March, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm
National Trust property; Incomplete Elizabethan lodge from 1605; moated garden; terracing; canals; orchard with apples and pears; 9 mile circular path through meadows, woodland and villages; small shop with snacks; parking

Mannington Hall Gardens
Norfolk
Eastern Counties
Signposted from Saxthorpe crossroads on Norwich-Holt road, B1149
Tel. 01263 584 175
Open: gardens only, May-Sep, Sun, 12-5pm; Jun-Aug, Wed-Fri, 11am-5pm; hall open by appointment only; grounds and park open year round, daily, 9am-dusk
Historic Houses Association member; medieval moated manor house; heritage rose collection; knot garden; sensory garden; landscaped lakes; wildflowers around ruined chapel; wood walks across wet meadow to board hide; parking; tea-room open as garden
Web: Mannington Hall Gardens

Marks Hall Garden
Essex
Eastern Counties
Just north of Coggeshall, between B1024 and A120
Tel. 01376 563796
Open: Jan-end March, Fri-Sun, 10.30am-4.30pm; April-end Oct, Tue-Sun 10.30am-5pm; Nov-Dec, Fri-Sun, 10.30am-dusk
Snowdrops, bluebells, spring blossoms; lakes; walled garden; walks; tea-room; shop; plant centre; picnic area
Web: Marks Hall

Minterne House and Gardens
Dorset
South-west Counties
Minterne Magna, Dorchester
Tel. 01300 341 370
Open: gardens, daily March-end Oct, 10am-6pm; house for organized parties only
Historic Houses Association member; home to Churchill and Digby families for 350 years; rebuilt 1905; 'Capability Brown' style landscaped valley; gardens; lakes; waterfalls; streams; unique rhododendron and azalea collection; rare trees; magnolia; spring bulbs; palms; parking; picnic area
Web: Minterne House and Gardens

Misarden Park Gardens
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Six miles north-west of Cirencester, A417 or B4070
Tel. 01285 821 303
Open: April-end Sep, Tue-Thu, 10am-4.30pm
Historic Houses Association member; 17th century manor house (not open); overlooks the Golden Valley; spring flowers; shrubs; topiary; lawns; large herbaceous borders; walled garden with parterre and roses; specimen trees; plant nursery;
Web: Misarden Park Gardens

Mottisfont Abbey and Garden
Hampshire
South-east Counties
Four miles north of Romsey, signed off A3057
Tel. 01794 340757 or 01794 341 220 (infoline)
Open: house, March-end Oct, daily except Fri (open Fri in April, May and June), 11am-5pm; gardens open March-3rd week Dec, daily except closed Fri in March and May and July-end Oct, open weekends only in Nov and Dec, 11am-5pm except until 8pm in June and 4pm Nov and Dec; check website for exact dates
National Trust property; set in river Test valley; 12th century Augustinian priory turned into a house; walled garden has National Collection of Old-fashioned roses (visit in June); drawing room decorated by Rex Whistler; collection of 20th century art; old dining room; shop, bookshop; plant sales; cafe; film about estate and rose garden; parking

National Garden of the Herb Society
Northamptonshire
East Midlands
Manor Rd, Sulgrave Manor, off the B4525 near Banbury
Tel. 01295 760 205 (Sulgrave Manor)
Open: April-Oct, Sat and Sun, noon-4pm; May-end Oct, Tue-Thu, 2-4pm; open different times during event days for Sulgrave Manor (see their website)
In grounds of Sulgrave Manor; medicinal, domestic, and North American herbs; children’s garden
Web: Herb Society and Sulgrave Manor

Normanby Hall Country Park
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Normanby Hall Country Park, four miles from Scunthorpe
Tel. 01724 720 588
Open: hall and museum, April-end Sep, daily, 1-5pm; walled garden, April-end Sep, daily, 10.30am-5pm, Oct-March, 10.30am-4pm; park and playground, year round, daily, 9am-dusk
1825 Regency mansion; furniture by Gillows; costume galleries; 350 acres of park; Victorian walled kitchen garden; glasshouses; woodland walks; deer; farming museum; miniature railway; shop; cafe; picnic area; parking charge

Norton Priory Museum and Gardens
Cheshire
North-west Counties
Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn
Tel. 01928 569 895
Open: Nov-March, daily, 12-4pm (walled garden closed); April-Oct, weekdays, 12-5pm, weekends 12-6pm; walled garden, 1.30-4.30pm
Ruined 12th century priory and undercroft; excavated objects on display; 16 acres of gardens; 1700s walled garden recreated with roses, fruit and vegetable garden; woodland gardens; wildflower meadow; ice house; sculpture trail; parking
Web: Norton Priory Museum and Gardens

Nymans Garden
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Handcross, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, on the B2114
Tel. 01444 405 250
Open: garden/shop/restaurant, Feb-mid March and Nov-end Jan, Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm; mid March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm. house, mid March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 11am-4pm
National Trust property; burned out mansion set in 20th century gardens with rare plant collection; restored sunken rose garden; arboretum; 275 acres of woodland including walks and lake; house with ground floor rooms reflecting family's use; restaurant; shop; parking; audio guide; special events; plant centre

Painshill Park
Surrey
South-east Counties
Portsmouth Road, A245, Cobham
Tel. 01932 868 113
Open: year round daily; March-Oct, 10.30am-6pm; Nov-March, 10.30am-4pm
Considered one of England’s finest 18th century landscape gardens; 158 acres; circular walk; follies; 14-acre lake; waterwheel; Gothic temple; Turkish tent; crystal grotto; Chinese bridge; ruined abbey; vineyard; shop; tea-room; parking; special events; weddings
Web: Painshill Park

Pashley Manor Gardens
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Ticehurst, East Sussex
On the B2099 between A21 and Ticehurst village, south of Tunbridge Wells
Tel. 01580 200 888
Open: April-end Sep, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat and BH Mon, 11am-5pm; Oct, garden only Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm (café and shop closed)
Historic Houses Association member; winner of Christie’s/Historic Houses Association Garden of the Year award; English style garden with landscaping, old trees, ponds, fountains, daffodils, bluebells, wisteria, sweet peas, dahlias, and roses; special events include rose weekend in June; Grade I listed timber- framed house not open to public; shop; café
Web: Pashley Manor Gardens

Peckover House and Garden
Cambridgeshire
Eastern Counties
Wisbech, on the north bank of river Nene
Tel/Fax: 01945 583 463
Open: mid March-end Oct, Sat-Wed; garden, 12:30-5:30pm; house 1-4.30pm; also open BH Mons, noon-5pm and rose fair in July
National Trust property; 1722 townhouse of Quaker banking family; three floors on show; plaster and wood rococo decoration; two acre garden; Victorian walled garden; conservatory; Victorian fernery; orangery; hardy palms; summerhouse; daffodils and tulips in spring; roses in summer; herbaceous borders; 17th century thatched barn; Georgian stables; shop; tea-room; plant sales

Peover Hall
Cheshire
North-west Counties
Over Peover, Knutsford
Tel. 01565 632 358
Open: May-Aug; stables and gardens, Mon and Thu (except BH Mon) 2-5pm; Hall, Mon and Thu, tours at 2.30pm and 3.30pm
Historic Houses Association member; 1585 brick Elizabethan house; Jacobean stables; chapel; topiary garden; walled garden; 18th century landscaped park

Physic Garden
Hampshire
South-east Counties
16 The High Street, Petersfield
Tel. 01730 269 060
Open: times not given
One quarter acre garden set in ancient walled burgage plot; planted in a style of John Goodyer, 17th century Petersfield botanist; herb beds in formal geometric pattern; knot garden; topiary walk; orchard area; wild flowers; rose bower; sundial; terracotta urns; paths wheelchair friendly

Prior Park Landscape Garden
Somerset
South-west Counties
Ralph Allen Drive, Bath
Tel. 01225 833 422
Open: March-end Oct, Wed-Mon, 11am-5.30pm; Nov-end Jan, Sat-Sun, 11am-dusk
National Trust property; 18th century garden; bridge; lakes; cascade; walks; views of Bath; mansion is a school and not NT; parking not allowed, must use public transport to reach

Raveningham Gardens
Norfolk
Eastern Counties
Raveningham, near Norwich, off the A146
Tel. 01508 548 152
Open: garden: Feb, for snowdrop days (phone to check dates); Easter-end Aug, Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm, BH Sun and Mon, 2-5pm; house: by guided tour
Historic Houses Association member; herbaceous borders, 18th century walled kitchen garden; Victorian conservatory; herb garden; orchard; arboretum; lake; garden sculptures; Edwardian rose garden; 14th century church; teas on Sun and BH Mon only
Web: Raveningham Gardens

Renishaw Hall and Gardens
Derbyshire
East Midlands
Renishaw, near Sheffield
Tel. 01246 432 310
Open: house by appointment only; gardens: April-end Sep, Thu-Sun and BH, 10.30am-4.30pm, last admission 4pm
300-acre park; eight acres of Italianate gardens divided into rooms by yew hedges; collection of plants; bluebell fortnight; magnolias; rhododendrons; laburnum tunnel; over a thousand roses in June; July and August have colour themed herbaceous borders; children's garden with educational trails, horticulture, story telling; house has art and historical treasures including Italian furniture and Brussels tapestries; museum tells story of the family, the Sitwells; café; parking fee charged
Web: Renishaw Hall and Gardens

RHS Garden Wisley
Surrey
South-east Counties
Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
Tel: 0845 260 9000
Open: March-Oct, Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm, Sat and Sun, 9am-6pm ; Nov-Feb, closes 4.30pm
Garden; glasshouse with 5000 different types of plants; butterfly glasshouse; plant centre, shop; restaurant and café; library

Ripley Castle
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Ripley
Tel. 01423 770 152
Open: gardens, daily, year round, 9am-5pm except 4.30pm in winter; castle open Easter-end Oct, 10am-5pm, daily except Nov and March on Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun; Dec-Feb, Sat and Sun only; one hour guided tours start 10am and go every hour till 3pm and take 1hr and 15min
Historic Houses Association member; hall and two tower rooms on show by guided tour; collection of medieval armour; library; dining room; drawing room; paintings; china collections; walled garden; deer park; lake; woodland walks; kitchen garden; National Hyacinth collection; tea-room; shop; parking
Web: Ripley Castle

Rode Hall Gardens
Cheshire
North-west Counties
Church Lane, Scholar Green, 5 miles south-west of Congleton
Tel. 01270 873 237
Open: April-end Sep, Wed and BH; garden, Tue-Thu, 2-5pm; snowdrop walk in Feb, Tue-Sun, noon-4pm; house, April-Sep, Wed and BH, 2-5pm
Historic Houses Association member; 18th century brick house; furniture by Gillow; 18th century porcelain; family portraits; park; lake; woodland garden; rock garden; grotto; rose garden; walled kitchen garden; tea-room; plant sales
Web: Rode Hall

Rosemoor Garden
Devon
South-west Counties
Great Torrington
Tel. 01805 624 067
Email: Rosemoor Garden
Open: April-Sep, daily, 10am-6pm; Oct-March, daily, 10am-5pm
Royal Horticultural Society garden; 65 acres of gardens and grounds; formal garden; herbaceous borders; herb and cottage gardens; fruit and vegetable garden; rose garden; plantsman's garden; winter garden; stream; shop; restaurant; plant centre; parking
Web: Rosemoor Garden

Rousham House and Garden
Oxfordshire
South-east Counties
Near Steeple Aston, Bicester
Tel. 01869 347 110
Open: garden, daily year round, 10am-4.30pm; house, by appointment only, May-end Sep, Sun and BH, 2-4.30pm
Almost unaltered garden from the early 1700s; designed by William Kent; 1635 house; wall garden; parterre; pigeon house; apple trees; parking

Royal National Rose Society Gardens
Hertfordshire
Eastern Counties
Chiswell Green St Albans
Tel. 01727 850 461
Open: June-end Aug, Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm
Thosands of roses old and new in 12 acre garden; highlights include: rose collection, showing the history of the rose; roses in a garden setting showing different styles of planting; series of small model gardens for growing roses in small spaces; Queen Mother garden; cultivar trials; use of other plants which associate well with roses
Web: Royal National Rose Society

Ryton Organic Gardens
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Ryton, five miles south-east of Coventry
Tel. 024 7630 3517
Open: daily, 9am-5pm
UK’s national organic gardening centre; 10 acres with 30 different gardens; interactive visitor centre; restaurant; garden supply shop; organic gardening courses; organic restaurant; organic shop; parking
Web: Ryton Organic Gardens

Savill Garden
Greater London
Windsor Great Park, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, 4 miles from Windsor Castle
Tel. 01784 435544
Open: March-end Oct, daily, 10am-6pm; Nov-end Feb, daily, 10am-4.30pm
35 acre ornamental garden created by Sir Eric Savill in 1930s; contemporary and classical gardens; woodland with oak, beech and sweet chestnut trees; azaleas; gardens for each season; restaurant; shop; parking (fee charged)

Scotney Castle Garden and Estate
Kent
South-east Counties
One mile south of Lamberhurst village, near Tunbridge Wells
Tel. 01892 893 820 (infoline)
Open: garden and shop: first week March, Sat and Sun, 11am-4.30pm; mid March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 11am-5.30pm; Nov-3rd week Dec, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm; house, mid March-end Oct, Wed-sun, 11am-5pm; estate walks, daily, year round
National Trust property; Victorian country house; 14th century castle ruins with garden designed around them; woodland walks; parkland; hop farm; rhododendrons and azaleas; wisteria and roses; shop; plant sales; parking; light refreshments in walled garden

Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Church Lane, Sewerby, 2 miles north of Bridlington
Tel. 01262 673 769
Open: estate, daily, dawn-dusk; gardens, mid March-end Sep, daily, 10am-5pm; walled garden, mid March-end Sep, daily, 9.30am-8pm, 10am-3pm in winter; house, daily, year round, 10am-5pm
Grade I listed Georgian house has art gallery in period rooms; 50 acres of parkland; old English walled garden; formal gardens; summerhouse; box and yew hedges, topiary; 19th century orangery; sensory garden; woodlands; tea-room; zoo; shop; special events; car park

Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield
Tel. 0114 268 6001
Open: winter, Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm, Sat and Sun, 10am-4pm; closed Christmas day; summer, Mon-Fri, 8am-dusk/7.45pm; Sat and Sun, 10am-7.45pm/dusk
Founded in 1833 and opened in 1836; designed by Robert Marnock in the gardenesque style; Grade 2 listed glass pavilions with temperate plant collection from around the world; restaurant, tea-room; shop; free admission
Web: Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sheffield Park Garden
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Sheffield Park, between East Grinstead and Lewes, East Sussex
Tel. 01825 790 231
Open: Jan-Feb, weekends only, 10.30am-4pm; March-April, June-end Sep, Tue-Sun, 10.30am-5.30pm; May and Oct, daily, 10.30am-5.30pm; Nov-end Dec, Tue-Sun, 10.30am-4pm
National Trust property; informal landscape garden by 'Capability Brown'; 120 acres with four lakes; snowdrops, bluebells, daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas; rare trees, and shrubs; events; shop; plant sales; tea-room (not NT); parking

Sheffield Winter Garden and Peace Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Surrey St, City centre, Sheffield
Tel. 0114 273 6895
Open: Winter Garden, daily, 8am-6pm; closed Christmas Day; Peace Gardens, daily, open site
Winter garden is largest temperate glasshouse in any European city centre; more than 2500 exotic plants from around the globe; free admission; café; art and craft shop; plant shop. Peace Gardens are public square, once the churchyard of St Paul's, next to Winter garden; fountains, water features; lawns

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Hampshire
South-east Counties
Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, Romsey
Tel. 01794 368787
Open: daily, 10.30am-6pm or dusk
180 acres of landscaped grounds and woodlands; 40,000 plants with 12,000 different types; trees; lake; herbaceous borders; winter garden; heather garden; bog garden and much more; for full details and photos of the garden see our article Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Web: Hillier Gardens

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens
Kent
South-east Counties
Sissinghurst, 2 miles north-east of Cranbrook, on the A262
Tel. 01580 710 701 (infoline)
Open: by timed ticket only; garden, mid March-end Oct, Fri-Tue, 11am-6.30pm; library and study of house, mid March-end Oct, Fri-Tue, 11am-5pm; vegetable garden, May-Sep, noon-4pm; shop, restaurant, coffee shop, plant sales open various times, check NT website for full details
National Trust property; garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson as series of separate gardens within larger garden around surviving parts of Elizabethan mansion; garden themes include white garden, rose garden, and herb garden; garden tours and bat watch events throughout season; shop, plant sales, restaurant; parking; coffee shop near car park
For further details and to view our photos go to
Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Sizergh Castle Gardens
Cumbria
North-west Counties
Sizergh, Nr Kendal
Tel. 0 15395 60070
Open: April-end Oct, Sun-Thu, house from 1-5pm; garden from 11am-5pm
National Trust property; 14 acre garden with large limestone rock garden; hardy ferns; rose garden; wildflowers; water gardens; bulbs; herbaceous borders; part of the National collection of Hardy Ferns; walks through ancient woodlands; butterfly loving pastures; views over the fells; medieval house extended in Elizabethan times; tea-room; shop; parking

Spetchley Park Gardens
Worcestershire
West Midlands
Three miles east of Worcester, off A44 signed to Evesham
Tel. 01905 345213
Open: April-end Sep, Wed-Sun and BH Mon, 11am-6pm; Oct, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm; house not open
30 acre garden; collection of shrubs, trees, and plants; primrose, crocus and daffodils in spring; magnolias; olive trees; roses; herbaceous borders; woodland; tea-room; parking
Web: Spetchley Park Gardens

St Pauls Walden Bury
Hertfordshire
Eastern Counties
Whitwell, Hitchin, on the B651, 5 miles south of Hitchin and just west of the A1
Tel. 01438 871 218
Open: Sundays in April, May and June, 2-7pm; other times by appointment; phone for exact dates
Grade I listed landscape garden of 1730; childhood home of the Queen Mother; 60 acre woodland garden; lakes, ponds; temples; statues; spring bulbs; rhododendrons, magnolias; bluebells and other wildflowers; parking

Stagshaw Garden
Cumbria
North-west Counties
Ambleside
Tel. 015394 46027
Open: April-end June, daily, 10am-6.30pm; July-end Oct by appointment
National Trust property; steep woodland garden; flowering shrubs include rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias; Skelghyll Woods, by the garden, has walks through to the fells beyond; limited parking

Stanway House, Garden and Fountain
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Stanway, Cheltenham, off the B4077
Tel. 01386 584 469
Open: house and gardens, June, July and Aug, Tue and Thu, 2-5pm
Cotswold stone Jacobean manor house with antique furniture; church; tithe barn; specimen trees; 18th century water garden; parkland; woodland; canal, cascade, 8 ponds; 300 foot high gravity fountain; herbaceous borders;
Web: Stanway House, Garden, and Fountain

Stapeley Water Gardens
Staffordshire
West Midlands
London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich
Tel. 01270 623 868
Open: mid March-mid Sep, Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm with late opening Wed to 8pm; Sun, 10am-5pm; mid Sep-mid March, Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun, 10am-5pm
Water garden centre with display gardens and supplies; tropical oasis with gardens; display pool; plants; fish; birds; shops; angling centre; pond plants; water lilies; rainforest area with wildlife; events; café; restaurant; parking
Web: Stapeley Water Gardens

Stourhead House and Gardens
Wiltshire
South-west Counties
Stourton, near Warminster
Tel. 01747 841 152
Open: house, mid March-end Oct, Fri-Tue, 11am-5pm; garden, all year, daily, 9am-6pm; shop and restaurant daily all year, times vary according to season, check NT website for full details
National Trust property; famous 18th century landscape gardens (1741-1780)and Palladian mansion; lake; classical temple and follies; exotic trees; vistas; paths; countryside walks; house has Chippendale furniture collection, paintings, library; exhibtion area; special events; shop; restaurant; parking

Stowe Landscape Gardens
Buckinghamshire
South-east Counties
3 miles north of Buckingham, on minor road off the A422, via Stowe Avenue
Tel. 01280 822 850 for gardens; 01280 818 166 for house (school)
Open: gardens: Nov-end Feb, Sat and Sun, 10.30am-4pm; March-end Oct, Wed-Sun, 10.30am-5pm; shop and tea-room open same days as gardens, but different hours; parkland, open year round, daily, dawn-dusk
National Trust property (except for house, which is a school, in the grounds); Georgian landscape gardens; over 40 temples and monuments; 250 acre deer park; 750 acres of parkland; walks and trails; shop; tea-room; picnic area; parking

Studley Royal Water Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Next to Fountains Abbey, off the B6265, four miles west of Ripon
Tel. 01765 608 888
Open: March-end Oct, daily, 10am-5pm; Nov-end Jan, Sat-Thu,, 10am-4pm; restaurant same as gardens but also open Feb-end April; church, April-end Sep, daily, noon-4pm; deer park, daily, year round, dawn-dusk
National Trust property; World Heritage Site; Georgian water garden; medieval deer park; series of lakes, ponds, and water cascades; views; follies; four architectural buildings in large grounds; St Mary’s Church (English Heritage) built by William Burges; parking; shop; tea-room

Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Tyne and Wear (Tyneside)
North-east Counties
Burdon Rd, Sunderland
Tel. 0191 553 2323
Open: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 2pm-5pm
Interactive displays about Sunderland from prehistoric to the present; art gallery has Victorian paintings and artefacts; winter Gardens exhibit 1500 flowers and plants

Swiss Garden (Shuttleworth)
Bedfordshire
Eastern Counties
Swiss Garden
Biggleswade Road, Old Warden
Signposted from A1 Biggleswade roundabout, southeast of Bedford
Tel. 01767 627 443
Open: March-Sep, Sun and BH, 10am-6pm, weekdays; Sat, 1-6pm; Jan, Feb, Oct, Sun, 11am-3pm
Early 1800s gardens with formal walks and vistas, thatched buildings, woodland glades, grotto, trees, ponds, bridge; parking; cafe; shop

Throckmorton Family Gardens
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Coughton Court, two miles north of Alcester
Tel. 0 1789 762 435 (visitor information)
Open: garden, by timed ticket on busy days; mid March-end June and Sep, Wed-Sun, 11am-5.30pm; July and Aug, also open on Tue; Oct, same time, weekends only; house open same as garden but until 5pm
Coughton Court is a National Trust historic house; the gardens are a separate attraction, first developed in 1991; 1.5 acre walled gardens--one is the rose labyrinth given Award of Garden Excellence by the World Federation of Rose Societies; daffodils in spring; two sunken gardens; lakeside and bog gardens; formal garden; early summer garden; courtyard garden based on Elizabethan design; woodland walks; plant sales; National Trust shop and restaurant; parking
Web: Coughton Court

Toddington Manor Gardens
Bedfordshire
Eastern Counties
Near the village of Toddington, Bedfordshire
Off the M1/A5120 junction 12, or from A4012 or A5 between Milton Keynes and Luton
Tel. 0 1525 872 576
Open: garden and grounds only, May-July, Mon, Tue, Wed, 1-5pm; also open for gardening workshops posted on website
Ten acres of herbaceous plants, roses, peonies, and delphiniums; vintage tractor collection; woods and lakes
Web: Toddington Manor

Trebah Garden
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth
Tel. 01326 250 448
Open: year round, daily, 10.30am-6.30pm with last entry 5pm
Begun as a pleasure garden in 1800s; 25 acre ravine garden leads down to beach on Helford river; visitor centre; hydrangeas; palms; bamboo; rhododendrons, camellias, bluebells and more; pools; stream; woodland; café; gallery; shop; garden shop; plant sales; special events; parking
Web: Trebah Garden

Trelissick Garden
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Feock, near Truro
Tel. 01872 862 090
Open: house not open; garden: Feb-end Oct, daily, 10.30am-5.30pm; Nov-3rd week Dec and Jan, daily, 11am-4pm; woodland walks, year round, daily
National Trust property; 30 acre maritime garden on wooded peninsula; tender and exotic plants; views to the sea; Georgian stable block; shop; gallery; restaurant; woodland walks

Trengwainton Garden
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Madron, near Penzance
Tel. 01736 363 148
Open: 2nd week Feb-end Oct, Sun-Thu, 10.30am-5pm
National Trust property; stream runs through garden; terrace; summerhouses; views; walled gardens with rare species; kitchen garden; tea-room; shop; plant sales; parking

Trentham Gardens
Staffordshire
West Midlands
Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke on Trent
Tel. 01782 657 341
Open: year round, daily; April-Sep, 10am-6pm; Oct-Easter, 10am-4pm; walks, 8am-8pm or dusk
750 acre country estate; formal gardens; fountains; woodland; parkland; shire horse centre; large lake with waterfowl and swans; adventure playground; Monkey Forest (free roaming Barbary macaques); cafe; parking; shopping village with places to eat; garden centre; special events
Web: Trentham Estate

Tresco Abbey Gardens
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Tresco Island, Isles of Scilly
Tel. 01720 424 108
Open: year round, daily, 10am-4pm
Tropical garden on Tresco estate, 1x2 mile island; 20,000 exotic plants; date palm; cacti; tree ferns and much more; museum of shipwrecked figureheads; visitor centre with shop and restaurant; reached by ferry or helicopter; cottages and hotel on island
Web: Tresco Estate

Trevarno Estate Gardens and National Museum of Gardening
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Helston
Tel. 01326 574 274
Open: all year, daily, 10.30am-5pm, except Dec 25 and 26
Historic Houses Association member; gardens, grounds and woodland walks date from mid 1200s; serpentine yew tunnel; summerhouse; summer flowering plants; Italian garden; bluebell wood; lake; bog garden; grotto; rockery; walled garden; special events; parking; cafe; shop; plant sales
Web: Trevano Estate Gardens

Trewithen Gardens
Cornwall
South-west Counties
Grampound Road, Truro
Tel. 01726 883 647
Open: gardens: March-end Sep, 10am-4.30pm, Mon-Sat; March-May, on Sun also; walled garden only open on Mon and Tue in June and two days in July; house: April-end July, Mon and Tue, 2-4pm
Historic Houses Association member; 1715 house; furniture and paintings; great saloon; rose garden; 24 champion trees; shrubs; wildflower meadow; woods; fern collection; magnolias; fountain; plant nursery; tea-room; parking
Web: Trewithen Gardens

Trull House Garden
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Trull House, near Tetbury, off the A433
Tel. 0 1285 841 255
Open: mid May-end Aug, 11am-5pm, Wed, Sat, Sun and BH
Eight acres of Cotswold gardens laid out at beginning of 20th century as compartments; lily pond; rockery; wild garden; walled garden; lawns; trees and shrubs; vegetables, flowers, and plants for sale; parking; tea/coffee; wedding venue; special events
Web: Trull House Garden

University of Oxford Botanic Gardens
Oxfordshire
South-east Counties
Rose Lane, east end of High St, Oxford
Open: Open: March-April, Sep-Oct, 9am-5pm; May-Aug, 9am-6pm; Nov-Feb, 9am-4.30pm
Glasshouses with plants from around the world: alpine house; lily house; bog plants; palm house; arid house; 8400 species of ferns; walled garden; shop; Harcourt Arboretum, on A4074, 6 miles south of Oxford is part of Oxford Botanic Gardens and is home to azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, 10 acre woodland, and wildflower meadow
Web: University Botanic Gardens

Valley Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Between Cornwall Rd and Valley Drive, Harrogate
Tel. 1423 500 600
Open: open site
17 acre English Heritage Grade II listed gardens, woodland and mineral springs; band concerts on Sunday afternoons in summer; historical buildings: Sun Pavilion and Colonnades; cafe

Van Kampen Gardens at Hampton Court Castle
Herefordshire
West Midlands
Hampton Court, Hope-under-Dinmore
Leominster, Herefordshire
On the A417, just off the A49
Tel. 0 1568 797 676, ext 200
Open: mid April-end Oct, Tue-Sun and BH Mon, also daily in Aug, 11am-5pm except until 7pm most Sat and Sun June-Aug; public castle tours Tue, Wed, and Thu
Mix of styles of various centuries; follies; parterres; portagers; 18th century parkland; Victorian walled gardens; maze; sunken garden with waterfalls and a hermitage; water gardens with pavilions, shrub and herbaceous borders; rose garden; garden shop; restaurant; special events; castle is late medieval
Web: Van Kampden Gardens

Ventor Botanic Garden
Isle of Wight
South-east Counties
Undercliff Dr, Ventor, off the A3055
Tel. 0983 855 397
Open: daily, year round; Temperate House: Easter-end Oct, 10am-5pm; Nov-3rd week Dec, Sat and Sun, 10am-4pm, Tue-Thu, 10am-3pm; Jan-Feb, Sat and Sun, 10am-4pm
22 acre garden and temperate house; visitor centre with exhibition; European; African, and South American plants; parking fee charged; shop; tea-room

Wakehurst Place
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
1.5 miles north of Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Tel. 01444 894 066 (infoline)
Open: March-end Oct, daily, 10am-6pm; Nov-end Jan, daily, 10am-4.30pm; restaurant, daily, year round; closed 24/25 Dec
National Trust members have free entry; Visitor Centre; 300 acre garden and grounds is extension of Royal Botanic Garden (Kew); plants from around the world; water garden; rock garden; walled garden; woodland; lakes; ponds; four National Collections; millennium seed bank exhibition; collection of exotic shrubs and trees; bluebells weekends; special events; parking; restaurant with home cooked dishes; cafe; shop; plant sales; two rooms in mansion on grounds open to visitors

Waterperry Ornamental Gardens
Oxfordshire
South-east Counties
Near Wheatley, OX33 1JZ
Tel. office: 01844 339 254; garden shop: 01844 339 226
Open: garden and garden shop: March-Oct, 10am-5.30pm, Nov-Feb, 10am-5pm; check website for teashop and gallery hours; museum, Tue-Sun, 2-5pm and BH Mon
Founded more than 70 years ago as School of Horticulture for Ladies; over three hectares of ornamental landscaped gardens; trees, shrubs, and flowers; classical borders; modern planting; secret corners; long vistas; formal gardens; rose garden; water lily canal; long colour border; arboretum; meadow; NCCPG National collection of Kabschia Saxifrages; Museum of Rural Life; tea-room; plant centre; garden shop; gallery shop; historic parish church of St Mary the Virgin
Web: Waterperry Ornamental Gardens

Wentworth Castle Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Lowe Lane, Stainborough, west of Barnsley
Tel. 01226 776 040
Open: April-Sep, 10am-5pm; Oct-March, 10am-4pm
Grade I listed gardens; 500 acres of historic parkland; 300 years old; 26 listed buildings and monuments; National Collection of magnolias, rhododendrons, and williamsii camellias; woodland walks; viewing platform at top of castle folly 600 feet above sea level; 100,000 bulbs; cafe; parking; special events
Web: Wentworth Castle

West Dean Gardens
East and West Sussex
South-east Counties
Six miles north of Chichester, West Sussex, on A286
Tel. 0 1243 818 210
Open: March-end Oct, daily, 10.30am-5pm; Nov-end Feb, daily, 10.30am-4pm; closed Christmas holidays
In the grounds of the West Dean Arts College in the South Downs area; restored walled kitchen garden with Victorian glasshouses has exotic flowers and 200 varieties of fruit trees and vegetables that include orchids, melons, tomatoes, and much more; summerhouses; rare trees and shrubs; ornamental borders; pond; sunken garden; wildflowers; national collections of tulip trees and horse chestnut trees; 300 ft long Edwardian pergola designed by Harold Peto; 2.25 mile walk through 49 acre St Roche arboretum with estate views; visitor centre built of local flint and brick with restaurant and shop; Sussex Barn gallery in the grounds; parking; special events

West Wycombe Park
Buckinghamshire
South-east Counties
West Wycombe, at west end of village
Tel. 01494 513 569 or 01494 755 571 (infoline)
Open: house and grounds: June-end Aug, Sun-Thu, 2-6pm; grounds only: April and May, 2-6pm, Sun-Thu
National Trust property; perfectly preserved rococo landscape garden; circular walks; neo-classical mansion, created in mid 18th century by Sir Francis Dashwood; exerior of house in Italianate style; interior with Palmyrene ceilings and decoration; pictures, furniture, sculpture of 18th century; parking

Westbury Court Garden
Gloucestershire
South-west Counties
Westbury-on-Severn, on the A48
Tel. 01452 760 461
Open: mid March-end June and Sep-Oct, Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm; July and Aug, daily, 10am-5pm
National Trust property; formal Dutch water garden dates from late 17th century, now restored; canals, hedges; 17th century vegetable plots; old varieties of fruit trees; parking

Weston Park
Shropshire
West Midlands
Weston-under-Lizard, near Shifnal
Tel. 01952 852 100
Open: gardens: daily from last week May-first weekend Sep, in Aug except one week--check website for exact dates each year, 10.30am-6pm, last admission 4.30pm; house, Sun-Fri, 1-5pm, last admission 4.30pm; park 11am-6.30pm, last admission 5pm
Historic Houses Association member; built in 1651; collection of tapestries, fine art, and porcelain; 1000 acres of parkland, woodland, and grounds landscaped by Capability Brown; formal terraces; sunken Italian garden; Victorian orangery; rose walk; pleasure grounds; church; 1770 bridge; pool; restaurant and coffee bar; shop; special events; adventure playground; parking
Web: Weston Park

Wimpole Home Farm
Cambridgeshire
Eastern Counties
Wimpole Hall, Arrington, Royston
Tel. 01223 206 000
Open: Nov-3rd week Dec and Jan-mid March, Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm; mid March-mid July and Sep-end Oct, Sat-Wed, 10.30am-5pm; mid July-end Aug, Sat-Thu, 10.30am-5pm;
National Trust property; 18th century house in wooded parkland; walled garden; lakes; walks; daffodils; model farm, part of working estate, has largest rare breeds centre in East Anglia; historic thatched buildings and modern buildings; spring lambing; daily milking; family events; Shire horse wagon rides; Great Barn has displays on traditional farming; adventure playground; restaurant; farm kitchen; picnic area; parking; also see our entry under Historic Homes for Wimpole Hall details

Winderwath Gardens
Cumbria
North-west Counties
Temple Sowerby, Penrith, CA10 2AW
Tel. 01768 88250
Open: year round, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat, 9am-noon
4.5 acre plantsman's garden; unusual trees; rock themed gardens with alpine, New Zealand and Himalayan plants including poppies; rare alpines; pond; picnic area

Wollerton Old Hall Garden
Shropshire
West Midlands
Wollerton, near Market Drayton
Tel. 01630 685 760
Open: Good Fri-end Sep, Fri, Sun and BH, noon-5pm; winter walk in Feb, 10am-4pm, phone for exact date
16th century house (not open to public) with four acre plantsman’s garden from 1984; emphasis on perennials; tea-room; plant nursery;
Web: Wollerton Old Hall Garden

Wortley Hall Gardens
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Wortley Hall, Wortley, 11 miles north-west of Sheffield
Tel. 0114 288 2100
Open: March-end Oct, 9.30am- 4pm
26 acres of gardens dating from 17-18th centuries; 11 acres in Italianate style are formal; 15 acres of pleasure grounds; herbaceous perennials; old English roses; lavender walk; sunken garden of dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons; giant redwoods, Bhutan pines, yews, cedar, and specimen beech and oak including a 500 year old hollow Sessile oak; collections of holly, walnut and sorbus; views through the vale of Worsborough; snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells; small ornamental lake; old ice house; old kitchen garden grows organic fruit and vegetables sold in local farmers’ markets and also used in the Hall’s restaurant—hall is now a hotel; free admission; special events
Web: Wortley Hall Gardens

Wrest Park House and Gardens
Bedfordshire
Eastern Counties
3/4 mile east of Silsoe, off the A6, 10 miles south of Bedford
Tel. 01525 860 152
Open: gardens: April-end June, Sat, Sun and BH, 10am-6pm; July-end Aug, Thu-Mon, 10am-6pm; Sep, Sat and Sun, 10am-6pm; Oct, Sat and Sun, 10am-5pm; house—limited opening, phone first
English Heritage property; formal 18th century gardens with garden buildings added in later years; lead statues; orangery; Italian garden; woods; canal walks; garden follies; pavilion with wall paintings and chambers; house built in 1834 along with new formal gardens; display; St George’s Day event; parking

Wyken Hall Gardens
Suffolk
Eastern Counties
Wyken Vineyards; 9 miles north-east of Bury, Follow brown tourist signs from Ickworth
Tel. 01359 250 287
Open: garden: April-Oct, daily except Sat, 2-6pm
Elizabethan manor house with four acre plant lover’s garden; maze, knot and herb garden; rose garden with old roses; walk through ancient woodlands; 7 acre vineyard; 16th century barn is a restaurant open daily, 10am-6pm; shop
Web: Wyken Vineyards

Yorkshire Lavender
Yorkshire
North-east Counties
Terrington, York
3 miles west of Castle Howard, 14 miles north-east of York and 8 miles west of Malton
Tel. 0 1653 648 008
Open: mid March-end Oct, daily, 10am-5pm (tea-room until 4.30pm)
Lavender gardens and plant nursery include: Lavender Maze, Mediterranean Dry Garden, Lavender ‘White Rose’ of Yorkshire, Sensory Garden, Purple Patch Garden, Themed Gardens, Stream Garden, The Wibbly Wobbly Way, Bog Garden, Natural Wild Flower Grassland Meadow, largest Snakes and Ladders, The Lynne Goodwill Memorial Garden, Sculpture Park; parkland, deer, highland cattle; tea-room; shop; parking
Web: Yorkshire Lavender