Spring gardens to visit

As spring approaches, make time to visit this collection of stunning gardens

1GLAMIS CASTLE

Glamis Castle is the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Glamis Castle has witnessed 1,000 years of history in the heart of Angus. Glamis Castle reopens 30 March- 31 October. Glamis, Angus, Scotland DD8 1RJ | glamis-castle.co.uk | 01307 840393

2HAM HOUSE AND GARDEN

Tiptoe through the tulips at Ham House and Garden this April. Thousands of bulbs will be springing in to bloom throughout the garden. Walk among the flowers, including our tulip maze, and see a variety of period and more modern cultivars in a beautiful 17th-century setting. Ham, Richmond, TW10 7RS | nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden

3THE BISHOP’S PALACE & GARDENS

Over 14 acres of spectacular RHS partner gardens including picturesque, romantic, formal and Victorian styles, a wildflower arboretum, specimen trees, alongside waterfalls, well pools, a moat with resident swans and a stunning medieval palace. Don’t miss our Easter family activities from 24 March. Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD | bishopspalace.org.uk | 01749 988111

4ABERGLASNEY GARDENS

Aberglasney is one of Wales’s finest gardens, a renowned plantsman’s paradise in the beautiful Tywi Valley with a unique Elizabethan Cloister Garden at its heart. Explore more than ten acres of ancient gardens including formal walled gardens and woodland. Llangathen, Carmarthenshire SA32 8QH | aberglasney.org | 01558 668998

5BLARNEY CASTLE

Our 60 acres of gardens are a joy to explore. Visit the prehistoric Fern Garden, our deadly Poison Garden and our magical Rock Close. Make a wish on the famous wishing steps while the waterfall cascades alongside. Stroll by the lake and woodlands and see our magnificent collection of spring flowers in all their splendour. Blarney, Cork, Ireland | blarneycastle.ie | +353 21 438 5252

6CALKE ABBEY, NATIONAL TRUST

See Calke Abbey’s walled gardens come alive with colourful displays of tulips, wallflowers and forget-me-nots, while the historic Orangery houses a variety of tropical and sub-tropical plants. The rare, surviving auricula theatre is a must-see, adorned with auriculas in April and seasonal highlights throughout the year. calkeabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk | nationaltrust.org.uk/calke | 01332 863822

7MOUNT STEWART HOUSE AND GARDENS

Mount Stewart is predominately a woodland garden and at this time of year, a delight. Lady Londonderry, who created the garden nearly 100 years ago suffered incurably from ‘Rhododendronitis’ and a walk in spring-time is enriched by these gorgeous plants. Magnolias, cherries, camellias and daphnes also delight. nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart

8WATERPERRY GARDENS

Celebrate Spring at Waterperry Gardens with a visit to our fritillary meadow. See the county flower of Oxfordshire in all its native splendour as it flowers throughout April. Waterperry Gardens – a place to explore, relax and shop in beautiful surroundings all year round. Near Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1LA | waterperrygardens.co.uk

9CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN

A very special and secret place, lying nestled behind walls and positioned close to the River Thames in London. Today the garden’s features include Europe’s oldest rockery, the Cool Fernery, the Garden of Edible and Useful Plants, and the Garden of Medicinal Plants. Walks, talks and workshops. Enjoy the cafe and shop. chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

10BUSCOT PARK

The gardens and pleasure grounds at Buscot Park are one of Oxfordshire’s best kept secrets. Designed in the late 18th century the grounds were since considerably enhanced by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lords Faringdon. They include the spectacular water garden designed by Harold Peto and the Four Seasons Walled Garden. buscotpark.com | 01367 240932

11SPETCHLEY PARK GARDENS

A garden for all tastes, Spetchley has a wondrous display of plants woven into a garden of 30 glorious acres. Visit one of the largest private collections of plant varieties outside the major botanical gardens, and enjoy the tempting tea room and plant sales. Don’t miss the Specialist Plant Fair on Sunday 22 April 2018. Spetchley, Worcester WR5 1RS | spetchleygardens.co.uk | 01905 345106