STOWE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

WHERE: New Inn Farm, Stowe

WHY: From a visit to Stowe House and its Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown-designed gardens and parklands, keen gardeners will take away inspiration in spades, while those who can’t even keep a peace lily alive can simply kick back and rest world-weary eyes on the estate’s spectacular beauty. The landscape’s bucolic grace has been shaped across centuries by a succession of celebrated gardeners, and a pre-lunch ramble across its rolling acres spent exploring the individual magic and significance of each area is a fine way to work up an appetite. The Shop at Stowe is a dream to stroll around in its own right, with superbly curated homeware, plants and gifts galore to suit friends greenfingered or otherwise.

PERFECT PICNIC: Go big on botanicals: a punchy waxy potato salad with garlic, radishes, spring onions and a knockout dressing, smoky aubergine dip, king prawns cooked in chilli and sourdough, with boozy berry picnic puddings or nutty chocolate brownies to finish.