{"id":17116,"date":"2022-06-17T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T07:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=16627"},"modified":"2022-06-17T13:42:19","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T11:42:19","slug":"best-country-gardens-to-visit-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/best-country-gardens-to-visit-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Best country gardens to visit in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Daniel Graham\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 17 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Few scenes feel more quintessentially British than a country garden in summer. Borders spill the vibrant flower-heads of annuals and perennials, rose gardens bloom and perfume, and trees bow and wave beneath canopies full of fresh leaves.<\/p>\n

Such is our passion for gardens on these islands that some people have brought it upon themselves to spend all their waking hours growing, tending and presenting their gardens to the public. Rarely are you far from one of these floral havens.<\/p>\n

The are many great gardens in the UK, each with its own special character. Here, we reveal some of our favourites, from world-famous Kew in London and the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, to the lesser-known\u00a0Dyffryn Fernant Garden in Wales and Scotland\u2019s exuberant Crathes Castle Garden.<\/p>\n

Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall<\/h3>\n
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The woodland garden at the Lost Garden of Heligan\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Heligan manor was first built in the 1200s as home to the Tremayne family.\u00a0The estate was developed from\u00a01766, when the walls of the flower garden were built, to 1907, when the Italian garden was put in place. However, throughout the early 20th century bramble and ivy covered the thousand acres and after decades of neglect the gardens were almost completely concealed.<\/p>\n

The derelict gardens were discovered by Tim Smit and John Willis who were inspired by a motto carved into a limestone wall, which still reads \u201cDon\u2019t come here to sleep or slumber\u201d with the workers names signed underneath and the date \u2013 August 1914.<\/p>\n

By 1991, planning permission was given to open to the public. Since then, work on the grounds has continued through an established team at Heligan and the garden has received numerous awards for restoration.<\/p>\n

Kew Gardens, London<\/h3>\n
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Warm up in Kew\u2019s stunning glasshouse\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Perhaps the UK\u2019s best-known gardens, Kew offers visitors a bit of everything, from its\u00a0500 acres of woodland and the world\u2019s largest seed conservation project, to its wild botanic garden and tree-top walkway.\u00a0There are more than 50,000 living plants at Kew, so it\u2019s worth spending the whole day there if you don\u2019t want to miss out on seeing them all!<\/p>\n

Wisely Gardens, Surrey<\/h3>\n
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Glasshouse at RHS Wisley in Surrey\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

One of Wisley\u2019s highlights is its splendid glasshouse. There are three climatic zones to explore in the 12-metre-high structure: tropical, moist temperate and dry temperate. The steamy tropical area is filled with bananas, bromeliads and climbers. In the moist temperate zone you\u2019ll find giant ferns and epiphytes, while in the dry zone, desert cacti thrive.\u00a0rhs.org.uk\/gardens\/wisley<\/a><\/p>\n

Bodnant Gardens, Conwy<\/h3>\n
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The wooden Waterfall Bridge in The Dell at Bodnant Gardens\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Cleverly designed to allow water beneath it, people across it and eels through it, the Waterfall Bridge forms a dam between Bodnant\u2019s lake and the rhododendron-lined Afon Hiraethlyn. This Snowdonia garden also includes grand lawns, colourful terraces, wildflower meadows and enormous trees. nationaltrust.org.uk\/bodnant-garden<\/a><\/p>\n

Great Dixter, East Sussex<\/h3>\n
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The Long Border at Great Dixter in East Sussex designed by Edwins Lutyens\/Credit: Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

There are few better days out in East Sussex than a visit to Great Dixter<\/a>, a garden once owned by the late, great plantsman Christopher Lloyd and now looked after by head gardener Fergus Garrett and the Great Dixter Charitable Trust. Its fabulous borders are exciting at any time of year due to clever succession planting giving ever-changing displays. The garden is divided into \u2018rooms\u2019, with each area having its own distinct character.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coleton Fishacre, Devon<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Coleton Fishacre\u2019s gardens cascade down to Pudcombe Cove\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

After an invigorating hike along South Devon\u2019s coastal path, drop down a gear or two and explore the terraced gardens of Coleton Fishacre<\/a>, a colourful mix of rare, exotic and tender plants that cascade from the house to beautiful Pudcombe Cove.<\/p>\n

Pick a route along the many paths that thread through the trees and shrubs of this stylish 1920s Arts and Crafts house, teased by pretty ocean views. A dreamy mix of pastel shades fringes the stream that dances down the combe, and buzzards mew overhead. On a hot June day, end your visit with a cooling drink at the delightful caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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