Sissinghurst comprises 10 gardens created on derelict land by two writers Vita Sackville-West (she planted) and her husband Harold Nicolson (he planned), around romantic, mellow pink brick Tudor buildings high on the Kent Weald. What she called “rooms open to the sky” are intimate gardens, each with its own character, enclosed by old walls and hedges, each planted differently by colour or theme. Long, linking walks make for a satisfying unity.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle/
Biddenden Road Kent TN17 2AB
+44(0)1580 710701
Google map: bit.ly/MXmcI3

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These stunning Baroque gardens (justly described as world famous) provide a powerful, and rare, evocation of the Italian Renaissance. Constructed in 1685 they fall away behind the majestic mediaeval structure of Powis Castle, home to the Earls of Powis (and once to Clive of India).
The steep terracing, ornamented with mighty urns, lead statuary and clipped yew, and planted to resemble hanging gardens, drops to a valley floor of formal flower gardens and lawns.
On the opposite side of the castle, the entrance to the charming, rolling parkland, full of crafty vistas, and populated by deer, can be found on Welshpool High Street. A walk through the park costs nothing but the castle and gardens are now owned and maintained by the National Trust which offers the usual visitor facilities.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle/
Welshpool, SY21 8RF
+44(0)1938 551944
Google map: bit.ly/MxwwFh

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle/

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These most rare and beautiful gardens, which are still undergoing rediscovery and restoration at Aberglasney House. Langathen, Camarthenshire, date back at least to Elizabethan times and possibly to the thirteenth century. They are set in the fabulous Tywi valley just off the A40 near the little town of Llandeilo (itself well worth visiting.)
The ten acres at Aberglasney include an Elizabethan/ Jacobean cloister garden, a pool garden, walled gardens, woodlands, an unusual parapet walk, a yew tunnel and, in a pleasing nod to the gardens at Ninfa near Rome, the Ninfarium, an inner garden built within the central ruins of the house.
We went in March 2011, just before the rush of spring growth, but even so early in the season the plants were wonderful and the finely drawn structure of this lovely garden was apparent.
Delicious cakes in the cafe and an appealing gift shop complete the visit.
As a bonus for the energetic, you are not far from the National Gardens of Wales.

www.aberglasney.org/
Aberglasney Carmarthen, Llangathen, Carmarthen, Dyfed SA32 8QH
+44(0)1558 668 998
Google map: bit.ly/MXlA5b

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You can read all the historic family gossip on the menu in the Earl Grey Tea Rooms after you have seen the herbaceous borders, formal gardens, Bog Garden and Silverwood. Leave time for the Long Walk through woodland to the sea where Earl Grey, in 1830s, sent each of his fifteen children on the first full moon in July after their tenth birthday. Quite the most idyllic combination of formal and natural planting, wild sea and land, divine tea and scones.
Open February till November, £6 entrance.

www.howickhallgardens.org
Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3LB, England
+44(0)1665 577 285
Google map: bit.ly/PfszWN

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Pitmedden Garden was created in the 17th century by Sir Alexander Seton. A weather vane commemorates an incident near Aberdeen, where his father was killed by a cannonball when fighting for Charles 1. Now, all is peaceful. Be soothed by formal parterres and rows of clipped yews. Stand by the sundial and listen to oyster catchers. Stroll past pleached limes and the herb garden to find the Museum of Farming Life. Go home feeling rested after homebakes in the tearoom. Then come back in Autumn for apples, grown against granite walls.

www.nts.org.uk/Property/Pitmedden-Garden/
Ellon, Aberdeen & Grampian, AB41 7PD
+44(0)844 493 2177
Google map: bit.ly/NwWaJR

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Tucked away in the hills of Carmarthenshire the gardens of Aberglasney took seed some five hundred years ago. Much history and lost fortunes later the gardens (it was derelict in 1995), have been painstakingly restored to their original design by the Aberglasney Restoration Trust. With a visitor information display, ninfarium, ancient yew tunnel, several areas of garden including a cloister garden and a walled garden plus lovely walks, time passes all too quickly. The licensed tea room serves excellent light lunches and teas and it is a delight to take this on the terrace overlooking the pool garden - weather permitting! The gift shop at the entrance also sells plants so you can take home a living memento of your visit.

www.aberglasney.org
LLangathen, Carmarthenshire SA32 8QH
+44(0)1558 668998
Google map: bit.ly/OVLMJ1

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Holiday home of Queen Victoria and her family, an idyllic retreat on the beautiful Isle of Wight. The house, gardens and beach are all open to the public via English Heritage. It is a fascinating place to explore. Don't visit the Island just for the day - make at least a long weekend of it.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/osborne-house/
York Avenue East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JX
+44(0)1983 200022
Google map: bit.ly/PfK7k1

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Best to begin by watching the eight minute film screened in the bright cafe at the entrance.
You learn that these Grade 1 listed Edwardian gardens, filled in in the 1940s, remained lost, even in local memory, until 2000 when a new owner began excavating.
Then wander through the gardens, finding lakes, fountains, a bog garden, horticultural surprises at every turn, even a croquet lawn. Most amazing are the subterranean grottoes, ferny and mossy, with tiny streams and little niches.
Though smaller in scale, these gardens have everything offered by historical garden sites. The plant sale is good, parking is free, the welcome is great. What more could you ask?

www.dewstowgardens.co.uk/
Caldicot, Monmouthshire NP26 5AH
+44(0)1291 431020
Google map: bit.ly/NwY7WH

Open Spring till late November, every day from 10-00 am with last entry at 4-30.

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With the help of John Willis, Tim Smit discovered this idiosyncratic English landscaped garden long before he started the Eden Project. Although restorations and discoveries are still being made, it took me two days to see it all. More like an adventure playground for garden lovers, the 200 year-old site includes a boardwalk through a jungle, an enormous wilderness (look out for figures made from plants and rocks like the Giant’s Head and Grey Lady), a pineapple pit, lakes and formal gardens. I stumbled across some charcoal making, and other events include regular bee walks and bug sweeping.

heligan.com/
Pentewan, St.Austell, Cornwall PL26 6EN
+44(0)1726 845100
Google map: bit.ly/Nv93SJ

Open all year (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Main Season (1st April to 30th September) 10.00am – 6.00pm
Winter (1st October to 31st March) 10:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance fee:
Adults -- £10
Seniors -- £9
Children from 5 to 16 -- £6
Childen under five go free
Family ticket (2 adults + 3 children) -- £27

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Newly-opened (June 2012) bed and breakfast in a hamlet in the south Lakes. Watch the weather change over Blackcombe, stroll down to the standing stones pictured on their website before dinner cooked with ingredients from the garden or other local sources, or head off to the beach. This is walking, cycling, riding territory. Oh, and there's a good pub in Kirksanton too. Run by Kev and Rachelle, who know how to put you at ease. Lovely, comfortable bedroom, instant relaxation. Close to Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass and other Lakes attractions.

www.thefoldguesthouse.co.uk/
Kirksanton, Millom, Cumbria, LA184NW
+44(0)1229 775 841
Google map: bit.ly/Qtq9iw

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Croft 36 supplies fresh croft produce from a purpose built hut outside the house - fresh bread, cakes, scones, quiches, dressed crab - all fantastic quality and value. And even better for when you are on holiday - meals to be picked up or even delivered if you are in South Harris. We had the Seafood Thermidor one night and the Goan Fish Curry another - they were both great! And the crab soup was to die for!

Croft 36, 36 Northton, Isle of Harris - on the right as you drive though from the main road - you can't miss it.
+44(0)1859 520779
Google map: bit.ly/Nk9zXi

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The gardens of Chatsworth House must be ranked among the most magnificent in Britain. It's worth a visit just to see the water features (though there is much more): the Cascade has been voted the best water feature in any garden in Britain; the Emperor Fountain was the highest in the world when it was constructed; on a smaller scale, the Willow Tree Fountain can't fail to amuse (it reputedly amused the young Princess Victoria). There is a choice of free, downloadable guides or you can join a guided tour.

www.chatsworth.org
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
+44(0)1246 565300
Google map: bit.ly/NsWuay

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You can't beat a garden and tea room combo to blow away the cobwebs at any time of year and Mount Stewart House in Co. Down delivers. From semi-formal Spanish and Italianate gardens, and the funky shamrock garden and dodo terrace to 80 gloriously rambling acres of secluded woodland with romantic neo-classical monuments and the chance to see red squirrels, plus seals and nesting sea birds on nearby Strangford Lough. And the tearoom? They make their own brand icecream, a well earned treat after all that healthy fresh air and walking.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/
Portaferry Road, Newtownards, BT22 2AD
+44(0)28 4278 8387
Google map: bit.ly/O0uLM0

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The Dolphin House Brazzerie is a lovely little stylish restaurant just around the corner from the main Barbican, overlooking Sutton Harbour.
Wonderful food and excellent service. Good selection of vegetarian dishes and they said they can cater for gluten-free diets.
Well worth a visit.

www.dolphinhousebrazzerie.co.uk
Sutton Harbour, The Barbican, Plymouth, PL4 0DW
+44(0)1752 254879
Google map: bit.ly/Pd46jj

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A unique and exquisite 17th century Dutch water garden whose canals and ponds full of water lilies and lawns bordered by attractive topiary are best seen from the first floor of the summer house at the far end. A walk around takes you to a variety of herb and vegetable plots and a stunning display of very old espaliers. There are no cafe facilities on site but picnics on the lawns are encouraged.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/westbury-court-garden/
Westbury-on-Severn, Westbury, Gloucestershire GL14 1PD
+44(0)1452 760461
Google map: bit.ly/OTXoMB

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In the 90s I used to walk Yogi, a joyful Bouvier des Flandres, in these gardens every day. Yogi has long gone, but the gardens are in better shape than ever after a £12.1m facelift courtesy of National Lottery funding. An artificial lake, classic bridge, cascade of waterfalls and even an Inigo Jones gateway are just some of the treasures hidden among the specimen trees and latticework of pathways in this early example of English landscape gardening. Dogs still roam free in the wild woods and fields, but must be leashed in the more formal areas.

chgt.org.uk
Conservatory Yard, Chiswick House, London W4 2QN
+44 (0) 20 8742 3905
Google map: bit.ly/PPXHqo

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This south London park, its landscaped gardens formerly part of the Kelsey Estate, has been kept secret by the locals for the past 99 years. It has been our family favourite since Grandma pushed Mum around in her pram before the Second World War. When I was a little girl, Mum and I fed the ducks together every Sunday. As Kelsey Park heads towards its centenary, and since I have no daughter of my own to pass it on to, the time has come to share Beckenham's hidden treasure with the rest of the world. I hope Grandma isn't turning in her grave.

"... Confidence is a preference for the habitual voyeur of what is known as ... Parklife!" Blur, 1994

www.kelseyparkbeckenham.co.uk
Manor Way, Beckenham, London BR3 3LH
+44(0)20 8313 4471
Google map: bit.ly/RMc0mj

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Situated overlooking Coniston Water, Brantwood House was the home of John Ruskin for the last 20 years of his life. The gardens are set into the hillside, and give an insight into the mind of this great Victorian polymath. There are eight themed gardens, some radical (Dante's Purgitorial Mount), some medicinal, others dedicated to ferns (over 250). Having spent a few hours wandering around the gardens, (and house) you'll get an appreciation into the troubled mind of Ruskin.

www.brantwood.org.uk
The Brantwood Trust , Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AD
+44(0)15394 41396
Google map: bit.ly/N9TvTG

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As the name says, eat all you can for one fixed price. Good on veggie food and Indian cuisine. Cheap drinks make it ideal for a group.

www.redhot-worldbuffet.com/redhot_manchester.html
48 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2EG
+44(0)161 819 1240
Google map: bit.ly/MWcwHE

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A lot of cafes say they serve the best coffee in town but this one really does.
Owned by Antonio a fantastic host the food is also special.
A limited choice but all prepared fresh daily.
A first port of call for Italians visiting the city and a growing band of regular customers it's a class and much loved place to meet in the city.

The Met Quarter 43 Whitechapel, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 6DA
+44(0)151 236 2611
Google map: bit.ly/RrADEs

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