A walk in THE PARK
Want to end a gloomy year on a high? It’s…
IF YOU’RE feeling sluggish after over-indulging, blow away those cobwebs by getting some fresh air at an open garden. From grand country estates to great city spaces, here’s my guide to ten of the best places to stretch your legs over the next few days.
Killerton, Devon
Nestled on a hillside that provides glimpses of Dartmoor, Killerton is a 6,400-acre estate with parkland, woodland, farmland and a 50-acre landscape garden. A mansion built for Sir Thomas Acland in the 18th Century is surrounded by grounds originally laid out by John Veitch, founding father of a dynasty of nurserymen. There are miles of pathways to explore. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Pre-booking essential (nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton).
Wakehurst, West Sussex
Managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, this 500-acre landscape is criss-crossed with paths taking in ornamental woodland, water gardens and a valley landscaped with trees and shrubs from the eastern Himalayas. Close to the property’s late-Tudor mansion is a dedicated winter garden featuring more than 33,000 cold-season gems, including white-stemmed birches, witch hazels and dogwoods. Open daily, 10am-4.30pm. Pre-booking essential (kew.org/wakehurst).
Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey
A who’s who of British landscape gardeners have left their mark on Claremont over the years, including William Kent, Capability Brown and Sir John Vanbrugh. There are lots of set walks in this 49-acre landscape but nothing beats heading to the top of the turf amphitheatre. Set on a hillside above a serpentine lake, it was created by Charles Bridgeman in 1722 and provides sweeping views across the garden. Open daily, 10am-4pm. Pre-booking essential (nationaltrust.org.uk/ claremont-landscape-garden).
Wanstead Park, London
This public park in East London n was once the site of a garden built t to rival Versailles. Laid out in the e early 18th Century by George e London, the most in-demand garden designer of his time, it complemented a vast Palladian mansion. . Sadly, the house is long gone and little remains of the garden. However, explore the 140-acre park and you’ll find remains, including a grotto, temple and series of lakes. Open daily, 7am to dusk. More details in the ‘Green spaces’ section of cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
Ornamental features in this historic 90-acre landscape include 40 classical statues, a marble fountain, a baroque pavilion, and a Chinese-style temple. Enjoy woodland walks or stroll in a straight line from the French-style house to the distant statue of William III. Open daily until January 3, then weekends only, 10am-4pm. Pre-booking essential (english-heritage.org.uk/ visit/places/wrest-park/).
SPARKLING ATTRACTION: The Cascade at Chatsworth House. Top: Classical lines at Wrest Park
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
The seat of the Duke of Devonshire since 1549, Chatsworth House is at the heart of a 105-acre garden. There are five miles of pathways to wander in the gardens and access to the surrounding parkland and estate. Look out for a Victorian rock garden, grotto, pinetum and Cascade, a 624ft series of steps carrying a channel of water down a steep hill towards the magnificent c stately pile. Open until January a 3 (closed New Year’s Day), 10am-7.30pm. Pre-booking essential t (chatsworth.org).
Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire
The romantic ruins of a former Cistercian abbey, converted into a country house by the 4th Earl of Shrewsbury after the dissolution of the monasteries, sit at the heart of a 150-acre estate. There’s plenty of woodland and parkland to explore, with formal gardens closer to the house. A highlight for me is the circular walk around ar the 18th Century man-made lake that takes about 30 minutes. Open daily, 10am-4pm. Book parking in advance (parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk/centre/rufford-abbey).
Ness Botanic Gardens, Cheshire
Occupying a 64-acre site on the Wirral Peninsula, Ness Botanic Gardens was established in the late 19th Century by Arthur Kilpin Bulley and has been part of the University of Liverpool since 1948. Look out for winter-flowering camellias, witch hazels and early snowdrops. Walk its network of paths and take in dramatic views across the River Dee to North Wales. Open daily, 10am-4.30pm (liverpool.ac.uk/ness-gardens).
Belsay Hall, Northumberland
A Greek revival house built for owner Sir Charles Monck in 1807 stands at the head of a 30-acre garden. There’s a winter garden, parkland and woodland to ramble around, but its set piece is the extensive quarry garden. A tunnel-like ravine descends to the canyon floor, where a wide path is flanked by exotics such as early-flowering rhododendrons. Open daily until January 3, then weekends only, 10am4pm. Pre-booking essential (englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsayhall-castle-and-gardens).
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
A mile north of the city centre, this botanic garden occupies a 70-acre site within a residential area of Georgian townhouses. Celebrating its 350th birthday this year, it’s a great place to burn a few calories with fine views of the famous castle. My favourite spot is the two-acre rock garden built during the Edwardian period and featuring mounds, gorges, screes, waterfall, pond and streams. Open daily, 10am-3.30pm. Pre-booking essential (rbge.org.uk)
l Some gardens limit visitor numbers to enable social distancing and have an online system for pre-booking tickets, parking and a time slot.
Check websites for up-to-date information, and follow local measures and travel restrictions.