Spring Gardens to Visit
As spring approaches, make time to visit this collection of stunning gardens
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HESTERCOMBE GARDENS
It is during spring that Lutyens’ magnificent hard landscaping is most visible in the Formal Gardens, which he designed with Gertrude Jekyll. In the Georgian Landscape Garden, designed by Coplestone Warre Bampfylde c.1750s, swathes of beautiful snowdrops, daffodils and later, bluebells, punctuate the neo-classical vistas. Taunton, Somerset TA2 8LQ | 01823 413923 | hestercombe.com
2
RAMSTER GARDEN
Ramster is a stunning woodland garden of over 20 acres renowned for its captivating beauty and tranquillity. Explore the natural winding paths to see spring delights with endless carpets of bluebells and renowned collection of azaleas and rhododendrons, which burst into colour throughout the garden in May.
Chiddingfold, Surrey GU8 4SN | 01428 654167 | ramsterevents.com
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BLARNEY 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.
Cork, Ireland T23 Y598 | info@blarneycastle.ie | blarneycastle.ie
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MICHELHAM PRIORY HOUSE & GARDENS
The season brings a mass of colour including beds of wallflowers and tulips, honesty in carpets of forget-me-nots and marsh marigolds, plus bluebells, primulas and flowering magnolia trees on this seven-acre moated island. Explore this Tudor mansion, working watermill, forge, freshly baked cakes and more. Near Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3QS | 01323 844224 | sussexpast.co.uk
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THE BISHOP’S PALACE & GARDENS, WELLS
Over 14 acres of spectacular RHS partner gardens, including picturesque, romantic, formal and Victorian styles, a wildflower arboretum, specimen trees, a contemporary Quiet Garden and Community Garden alongside waterfalls, well pools, a moat with resident swans and a stunning medieval Palace. Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD | 01749 988111 | bishopspalace.org.uk
6 BODNANT GARDEN Bodnant Garden’s 80 acres span grand Italianate terraces, tranquil meadows and woods, and dramatic riverside dells. Visit this spring to enjoy camellias, magnolias, cherry blossom, rhododendrons and the famous Laburnum Arch, as featured in the Easter 2020 movie
The Secret Garden. Tal y Cafn, Colwyn Bay LL28 5RE | nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden
7 HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS Tulip Celebrations at Hever Castle & Gardens will see the gardeners lead visitors on daily tours of the Castle grounds which will be ablaze with tulips in every conceivable colour, from 21-26 April 2020. The Italian Garden will host the largest of the tulip planting displays with a kaleidoscope of colours.
Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG | 01732 865224 | hevercastle.co.uk
8 RHS ROSEMOOR Visit us as spring bursts into flower including rhododendrons, camellias and thousands of daffodils in bloom throughout the Garden as well as naturalised daffodils and fritillaries carpeting the meadows. Combine your trip with our Spring Flower Festival, 14-15 March.
Great Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH | 01805 626810 | rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
9 CHARTWELL With blankets of daffodils and a meadow of crocuses and alliums, there’s plenty to see at the family home of Sir Winston Churchill. The cut-flower bed has an array of tulips, magnolia trees frame the path towards the house while apple blossom bloom into life in the orchard.
Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS | 01732 868381 | nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell
10 BUSCOT PARK Buscot Park’s 18th-century mansion offers art, gardens and lakes. Gardens open Monday to Friday 2pm-6pm and some weekends including Bank Holidays. Entry: House and Gardens: Adults: £12. Over 65s: £10. Children (5-15): £6. Information Line: 01367 240932. National Trust members free. Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8BU | info@buscot-park.com | buscotpark.com
11 WATERPERRY GARDENS Celebrate the first signs of spring with Snowdrop Season at Waterperry Gardens. With more than 60 different varieties carpeting the ornamental gardens. Open: 10am-5pm. Waterperry, Oxfordshire OX33 1LA | 01844 339226 | waterperrygardens.co.uk