5 ENCHANTING GARDENS FOR YOUNG ONES

1 Forbidden Corner, North Yorkshire

Started as a private folly in 1990, this four-acre site is full of passages, tunnels, caverns and water features such as pop-up fountains. Advance bookings only. theforbiddencorner.co.uk

2 Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Set against the backdrop of Alnwick Castle (setting for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies) is a magical garden with a bamboo maze, treehouses linked by rope bridges and a poison garden, home to more than 100 deadly plants. alnwickgarden.com

3 Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire

Close to the formal Italianate gardens (above) and prairie-style displays, there’s a hornbeam maze, fantastic adventure playground and a barefoot walk, where mud, water, hay and other materials provide sensations underfoot. trentham.co.uk

4 Trebah, Cornwall

This 25-acre subtropical paradise boasts adventure playgrounds, a zipwire and lots of exciting trails. Don’t forget to dip your toes in the water at the private beach. trebahgarden.co.uk.

5 Groombridge Place, Kent

A short journey in the garden’s canal boat leads to the Enchanted Forest, a fantasy woodland with the UK’s highest treetop walkway. Below are giant tree swings and a Robinson Crusoe-inspired adventure playground. groombridgeplace.com