Top 10 gardens in bloom
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This year’s Chelsea Flower Show in London is in full bloom - but don’t fret if you can’t make it to the event this year. We’ve put together the top 10 gardens in Britain that you can enjoy from spring right through to autumn...
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Subject of its very own TV series, The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall are typical of the 19th century Gardenesque style. First created in the mid-18th century, the gardens flourished until the First World War when they fell into neglect and became completely overgrown – hence the “Lost” part. But thankfully a group of enthusiasts decided to restore these exquisite gardens to their former glory and they are now one of the most popular gardens in the UK.
Drummond Gardens
First laid in the early 17th century by John Drummond, these are Scotland’s most important formal gardens and amongst the finest in Europe. Surrounding an ancient fortress in Perthshire, the dominant feature of the parterre design is a St Andrew's Cross, with the famous sundial by John Milne at its centre. While high summer brings a peak of blooms in the formal beds, don’t miss the stunning displays of spring and autumn foliage from the remarkable collection of Japanese maples.
Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are historic London landscape gardens on the River Thames and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens cover more than 300 acres and house botanic collections that have been enriched over 250 years. Today, there are 26 gardens at Kew, ranging from the Aquatic Garden to the Winter Garden, and over 30,000 species of plants. The gardens are also home to six stunning glasshouses, each containing a different example of plant life from around the world.
Logan Botanic Garden
Logan is an exotic paradise tucked away on the south-western tip of Scotland and set amidst some of the most majestic scenery the country has to offer. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the climate provides ideal conditions for an amazing collection of southern hemisphere plants. Logan's famous Walled Garden is a showcase for brilliant blooms and is ablaze with colour throughout the season. The fishpond, adorned with water lilies, creates a focal point and enhances the air of tranquillity within the garden.
National Botanic Garden of Wales
The garden in Carmarthenshire is both a visitor attraction and a centre for botanical research and conservation, and features the world's largest single-span glasshouse - a spectacular dome which enjoys a Mediterranean climate and plants from six areas of the world. The fragrance of the flowers is especially strong in late spring and you can see colourful giant geraniums, Californian annuals (poppies and lupins), rock roses, echiums and darwinia.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden is London's oldest botanic garden and a unique living museum. Hidden away in the heart of the capital behind high walls next to the River Thames, it’s one of London’s 'Secret Gardens' and many Londoners themselves don’t even know about. Founded way back in 1673, it’s an exquisite place of beauty, colours, smells and relaxation. And simply mention 'VisitBritain offer' at the Garden's entry kiosk and you’ll get two adult tickets for the price of one! (offer ends 31.10.10)
Dawyck Botanic Garden
One of the world's finest arboreta, Dawyck Botanic Garden in Edinburgh has a magic all of its own. Set in the scenic landscape of the Scottish Borders, this woodland garden will delight you all year round. In spring you can wander among swathes of snowdrops and daffodils, in summer, spectacular azaleas, rhododendrons and pools of meconopsis. And in autumn, the ever-changing kaleidoscope of seasonal tones culminates in vivid hues of red, orange and gold.
Westonbit Arboretum
Here you can explore one of the largest and oldest tree collections in the world. Westonbit, The National Arboretum, has an astonishing 18,000 species of rare and beautiful trees and shrubs laid out over 600 glorious acres of landscaped Cotswolds countryside. Westonbit is one of the finest tree collections in the world today. However, it’s the combination of wild flowers, fungi, birds and animals as well as the trees themselves that make this an unforgettable place to visit.
Bodnant Gardens
Created by five generations of one family, this historic estate features an expansive 80 acres of terraced gardens and lawns, with sweeping views across the Conwy Valley to the peaks of Snowdonia. With vast lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds and impressive terraces, a steep wooded valley and stream, as well as awe-inspiring plant collections, there are continually changing glorious displays of colour for you to enjoy.
Tatton Park Gardens
This is one of the most complete historic estates you can visit in Britain. The early 19th century Wyatt house sits amid a 1,000-acre landscaped deer park and 50 acres of gardens that have been maintained exactly how they would have been 200 years ago. Among the highlights at this unique historical garden are the Fernery, Orangery, Rose Garden, Tower Garden, Pinetum, Walled Garden with its glasshouses, Italian and Japanese gardens. Phew!