Antony (NT) Torpoint, Plymouth, Cornwall.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

Superb early 18th century mansion set in parkland and fine gardens. Landscaped by renowned Georgian garden designer, Humphrey Repton. The grounds include the formal garden with the National Collection of Hemerocallis and fine summer borders. The woodland garden (owned privately by the Carew Pole Garden Trust) has an outstanding display of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias, and surrounding woods provide delightful walks. Also of note are the 18th-century dovecote and 1789 Bath Pond House.

Abbey House Gardens Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

An amazing 5 acre garden in Malmesbury's beautiful and historic town centre. It's creation in less than 5 years is the first of many surprises. Growing here there are over 2000 different roses - the largest private collection in the country - 2000 herbs and 2000 other plant species, all laid out personally by a tenacious and visionary owner and his gardener with sympathy to the site's rich history.

Against the stunning backdrop of Malmesbury Abbey, set around a sixteenth century house, discover formal gardens, a 'Celtic cross' knot garden, herbaceous borders, a 'mediaeval' herb garden encircled by fruit cordons, foliage and bog gardens. Wooded walks to river and monastic fish ponds with kingfisher and swans having lovely views along the way.

Barrington Court (NT) nr. Ilminster Somerset.

Photo © NTPL / Neil Campbell-Sharp

A beautiful garden influenced by Gertrude Jekyll and laid out in a series of rooms, including the White Garden, the Rose and Iris Garden and the Lily Garden. Arboretum with vivid golden hues in autumn. The working kitchen garden has apple, pear and plum trees trained along high stone walls.

Bath Botanical Gardens Bath, Somerset.

This Botanic Garden covers over 9 acres and contains over 5000 different varieties of plants from all over the world and one of the finest collections of plants on limestone in the country. Rock garden and ornamental pond. The garden has recently been extended to include the Great Dell which is maintained as an arboretum. Be sure to check out this Personal view of of the gardens.

Bickham Barton Plymouth, Devon.

Shrub garden, camellias, rhododendrons, cherries, azaleas and bulbs. Lovely views.

Bowood House and Gardens Calne, Wiltshire.

Splendours within the 100 acre park include a 40 acre lake. The grounds landscaped by 'Capability' Brown has handsome features - a Doric Temple, a pinetum and arboretum, and a most spectacular Cascade. Separate Rhododendron Gardens are open for six weeks during May and June.

Bristol University Botanic Garden The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol.

Photo © University of Bristol 2005

A 5 acre garden featuring 4,500 species. A large rock garden. Special collections include Cistus, Hebe, ferns, Salvia and Sempervivum. Glasshouses have been erected and the major landscaping has now been completed. Planting commenced in 2005 and further planting during 2006 and 2007 is transforming the site into a new Botanic Garden.

Broadleas Gardens Broadleas, Devizes Wiltshire.

Eight acres of beautiful garden and woodland. Connoisseur planting with many unusual acid and lime-loving trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Rarely seen in such quantities for instance are Trilliums, Erythroniums and Sanguinaria the North American blood root. Many more unusual trees, shrubs and perennials grow at Broadleas, you can find them in the Silver Border, the Sunken Rose Garden, the Secret Garden and the Woodland. The various parts of Broadleas combine together to make a delightful garden with plants of interest throughout the year.

Broadleigh Gardens Bishops Hull, Taunton, Somerset.

Photo © 2002 Christine Skelmersdale

Over the past 30 years, the 5 acre gardens and nursery at Broadleigh Gardens have become a well established attraction to visitors. They are open throughout the year, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm for a £1 charity donation. Please note that Broadleigh Gardens is a mail order nursery with only a few items for sale for calling customers. National Collection of Narcissus (Alec Gray hybrids).

Burrow Farm Gardens Dalwood, Axminster, Devon.

Photo © www.burrowfarmgardens.co.uk

Burrow Farm Gardens have been developed since 1967 by Mary Benger and now covers a 10 acre site, part of which has been created from an ancient Roman clay pit. Superb views of the surrounding countryside provide a fitting backdrop to the spacious lawns, lush borders and unusual shrubs and trees. The woodland garden features wild flowers and an array of moisture-loving plants including candelabra primulas. These provide a wonderful complement to the rhododendrons and azaleas. This area is particularly beautiful early in the season. The pergola walk is best during the summer months. The most recent addition is the millennium rill garden.

By the Way Lodge Drove, Woodfalls, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Photo © www.clematismontana.co.uk

By The Way is an organic smallholding and garden situated on the north west boundary of the New Forest National Park. The collection of eighty four Montana plants represents fifty five named cultivars, the oldest having been planted more than twenty years ago. More are added regularly as old and new cultivars are located. There are also hundreds of other clematis integrated within the garden. National Collection of Clematis montana.

The garden is open by appointment for groups and individuals. The plants are usually flowering and at their best during the month of May but visitors are welcome at other times by appointment if they are passing nearby. Plants are available for sale by prior arrangement for groups of ten plus. Refreshments are available by prior arrangement. The entire entry fee of £3.50 (including refreshments) per person goes to the Salisbury Hospice.

Cannington College Heritage Gardens Cannington, nr. Bridgwater, Somerset.

Photo © www.teachernet.gov.uk

Cannington College gardens have been established some 75 years and house extensive plant collections. There are 7 old sandstone-walled gardens which shelter many tender plants which are not commonly seen elsewhere such as ceanothus, wisterias, freemontias etc. Tree, ground-cover and shrub plantings, The gardens also contain 10 temperate, half-hardy and tropical glasshouses which are open to visitors. Magnificent views over The Quantocks.

ClaptonCourt Gardens Crewkerne, Somerset.

Clapton Court is one of Somerset's most beautiful gardens with a fine collection of rare and unusual plants, shrubs and trees of botanical interest in formal and woodland settings of 10 acres. Formal terraces, spacious lawns, rockery, water and rose gardens, large collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. Many unusual trees including the biggest ash tree in Great Britain. Outstanding display of spring bulbs. Glorious autumn colours.

Coleton Fishacre Garden (NT) Coleton, Kingswear, Dartmouth Devon.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

An 8 hectare garden in a stream-fed valley set within the spectacular scenery of this National Trust coast. The garden was created by Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Carte between 1925 and 1948, and is planted with a wide variety of uncommon trees and rare and exotic shrubs.

Docton Mill and Garden Lymebridge, Hartland, Devon.

Photo © Docton Mill Wild Flower Gardens

An ancient mill and restored waterways. The garden has been created in a wild valley 1000 metres from the sea and is an all-season garden. Apart from the water features it includes a bog garden, rockery with natural outcrops, and woodland gardens. Narcissi, primulas, shrub roses, specimen trees, herbaceous and shrub plants and naturalised bluebells.

The Garden started in the 1930’s but fell into disrepair in the 1970’s. 1980 saw the Mill renovated and Garden cleared with extensive planting and the creation of a new Bog Garden and borders, vast numbers of trees were planted. The start of the new Millennium saw developments including a new Magnolia Garden with large Herbaceous borders, Woodland Garden and Greenhouse area enabling more extensive plant propagation.

East Lambrook Manor Garden South Petherton, Somerset.

Photo © www.eastlambrook.co.uk

The garden at East Lambrook Manor is recognised throughout the world as the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’, having been created in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s by the late gardening icon, Margery Fish. Mrs Fish entered the world of gardening late in her life and as a novice she showed a quite brilliant talent for artlessly mixing the everyday plants with the rarer species, with an eye for colour, texture and form.

An internationally recognised, grade 1 listed English Cottage Garden, where new and rare plants have been discovered for over 50 years. The gardens are home to our very own hardy geranium collection, the Margery Fish nursery and multi-award winning tearooms. Open every day, ALL year 10am to 5pm.

Forde Abbey Chard, Somerset.

Photo © Forde Abbey 2005

The Gardens of Forde Abbey surround the 12th century Cistercian Monastery, a private home since 1650. They extend over 30 informal acres, which draw the visitor onwards to discover plants of interest and beauty throughout the year. Plantings survive from 1700, although much has been achieved in recent years. Ancient and mellowed stone walls set off rich herbaceous borders, and the gardens are marked by the lovely lawns and lakes and magnificent trees. A bog garden boasts a broad range of Himalayan plants, including Mecanopsis and Asiatic Primulas. A redundant gravel pit is now home to an impressive variety of alpine plants. Forde Abbey is also home to the Centenary Fountain, which at 160ft in full flow is the tallest powered fountain in England.

The Garden House Buckland Monachorum, nr. Yelverton, Devon.

Photo © www.thegardenhouse.org.uk

An 8 acre garden centred around the romantic ruins of a 16th century vicarage with extraordinary variety of planting ­and more than 6,000 different varieties. Terraced walled garden, cottage, quarry and South African gardens. Spring bulbs, rhododendrons, camellias, wisteria bridges and acer glade. Over 6,000 plant varieties giving interest and beautiful colour all year. Georgian tearooms. Plant sales centre. Open March to October.

Glendurgan Garden (NT) Mawnan Smith, Falmouth, Cornwall.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

A beautiful valley garden created in the 1820s and developed over many years by the Fox family, leading down to the beach at Durgan on the Helford River. Glendurgan is noted for its fantastic laurel maze and 'Giant's Stride' maypole and its abundance of spring blooms. Outstanding displays of magnolias and camellias.

Goldney House Clifton, Bristol.

Photo © University of Bristol

One of the lesser known treasures of Bristol is the garden of Goldney House, in the centre of Clifton. Created in the early 18th century by the Quaker merchant, Thomas Goldney III, the garden consists of a formal parterre, a herb garden, an orchard now replanted with original species, a wild paddock, and five unique follies; an ornamental canal; a high Gothic tower commanding fine views of Bristol; a gazebo; a mock bastion; and the famous subterranean grotto, with its lion's den, cascade, and walls lined with shells, fossils and minerals.

Hadspen Castle Garden and Nursery Castle Carey, Somerset.

Photo © www.tjhsst.edu

The basic Victorian design of Hadspen Garden was conceived by Margaret Hobhouse in order to give a setting to the 18th century Hobhouse home. Around 1960, noted garden expert Penelope Hobhouse started restoring the garden, and that restoration continues today under the direction of garden writer and nurseryman Nori Pope and his wife. The Popes have been particularly interested in garden color, and have worked to create monochromatic themes in their garden.

This 5 acre Edwardian Garden was reclaimed from a semi-wilderness eleven tears ago. An outstanding feature is the 2 acre curved walled garden with extensive borders of shrub roses and herbaceous plants. The deliberate organisation of specific colours within the borders is the work of highly skilled gardeners. The garden is entirely 'organic' and is an excellent advertisment for this methodology. There is a magnificent hosta collection, a water garden a meadow, a blue garden and much more besides. Follow Monty Don's advice Don't miss "...the immaculate vegetable garden of small raised beds planted so that red and purple-leaved vegetables pick up the burgandy and crimson part of the border as it sweeps past." There are not enough superlatives to describe Nori and Sandra Pope's garden.

Heale Gardens and Plant Centre Middle Woodford, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Photo © www.healegarden.co.uk

Heale House and its 8 acres of beautiful garden, lie beside the River Avon. The garden provides a wonderfully varied collection of plants, shrubs, and musk and other roses, growing in the formal setting of clipped hedges and mellow stonework, which are at their best in June and July. Particularly lovely in spring and autumn is the water garden, planted with magnificent magnolia and acers, surrounding the authentic Japanese teahouse and Nikko bridge.

Heligan Gardens Pentewan, Mevagissey, nr. St Austell, Cornwall.

Photo © Heligan Gardens Ltd

The restored "Lost Gardens of Heligan" will occupy a couple of hours for the committed gardener or plant lover. This massive estate has one of the finest Gardens of its period, containing 57 acres of planted gardens, 100 acres of ornamental woodlands, and 300 acres of rides and folly temples.

Henry Hawkins Tremayne, John Tremayne and John Claude Tremayne successively created and planted the 57 acres of gardens and ornamental woodlands with walks and rides. They were noted horticulturists and by the end of the century had a superb collection of trees and shrubs from Japan, China, Australasia and the Himalayas many of which can be seen today.

The Ornamental garden paths have been restored by following the 1839 tithe map. The two and a half miles of foot paths were discovered underneath more than 2000 tons of fallen timber, 18 inches of loam and a complete covering of 10 foot high brambles.

Extensive though the Helligan web site is, and a browse is strongly recommended, for full appreciation a visit to Helligan is something every keen garden enthusiast should accomplish at least once in a lifetime!

Hestercombe Gardens Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton, Somerset.

Hestercombe is a unique collection of three gardens spanning three centuries of garden history and design. All have undergone acclaimed restoration works, and today provide important examples of gardens in contrasting styles that continue to grow and develop. Hestercombe Gardens welcomes visitors all year round. Covering more than 40 acres and with three different styles of garden there is always something different to see whatever the season and whatever the weather. From woodland walks to beautiful reflections in the lakes and ponds, from stunning stonework and dry stone walling to the beautiful plants, colours and scents from spring through autumn all enhanced by truly amazing views across the Vale of Taunton to the Blackdown Hills in the distance.

The famous Edwardian garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and planted by Gertrude Jeykll is arguably the best example of their work, with beautiful stonework, rills, Orangery and pergola.

To complement the formal garden there are over 40 acres of 17th century landscape gardens with woodland walks, temple, cascade and breathtaking views.

Holbrook Garden Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, Devon.

Photo © Martin Hughes-Jones 2004

This 2 acre garden is situated on the South facing Holbrook Hill just outside Sampford Peverell, the soil is heavy clay. Early interest includes wildflower meadow plantings with cowslips and fritillaries and the woodland garden. The two acres have many innovative plantings which take inspiration from natural plant communities. Vibrant mediterranean colours are used. The garden slowly builds through the season from rhododendrons and snakeshead fritillaries to a crescendo of bright reds, yellows, oranges, and strong blues and purples in August and September - a time when many gardens are way past their best.

The garden continually evolves and there are many experimental plantings - a wet garden with primulae and iris followed by heleniums, big grasses and echinaceas; a stone garden with a butterfly rich planting of verbena bonariensis, salvia uliginosa and ratibida pinnata together with many pokers and agapanthus; and a developing damp summer meadow with asters, helenium species, lobelia species, purple loosestrifes and persicarias. Most recently is an experimental mixed planting of campanulae, achillea, astrantias, sanguisorbas and filipendulas. Perfumes, songbirds and nests are everywhere, with large displays of crocosmia and pulmonarias.

Homeyards Botanical Gardens Teignmouth, Devon.

A garden created by Maria Homeyard in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Magnificent river and sea views, fine mature trees, wild garden and fish pond; elevated level walk.

Iford Manor and Peto Garden Bradford-On-Avon, Wiltshire.

Photo © 2005 Bath Tourism Plus

Award winning Grade I Italian-Style garden famous for its tranquil beauty, the home of architect and landscape gardener Harold Peto, from 1899-1933. Unique and romantic, this hillside garden is characterised by steps, terraces, sculpture and magnificent rural views. An enchanted garden. Iford Manor, a Tudor house with a classical facade, was once a busy centre of the woollen industry. Set in a romantic river valley it is now surrounded by peaceful terraced gardens of unique character. Home of the Edwardian architect Harold Peto, it has pools statuary, a colonnade, a cloister and casita.

28 Kensington Road Bristol.

Photo © Grenville Johnson & Alan Elms

This small, award winning, inner city garden is situated 3 miles from Bristol city centre. The garden measures 20 feet by 18 feet, and is open to the public during the summer months and for The National Scheme. It is probably the smallest garden to open for the N.G.S, and was given a whole page feature- 'Small is beautiful - the garden with the wow factor' in the famous yellow book for 2007. It has also received considerable acclaim after reaching the finals in The Daily Mail National Gardens Competition, 2006 and was featured on B.B.C.television's 'Gardeners World' as well as numerous features in gardening magazines and national newspapers. It has been described as an example of 'Innovate inner city gardening'.

The garden features numerous 'domains' on two decked levels, each with a different theme including an Italianate garden, wildlife pond with water cascade,Woodland outcrop and stumpery, Southern Hemisphere and exotic gardens as well as a temple ruin folly and rocky outcrop. The story of the development of the garden and details of opening times can be found by visiting the garden's own website.

Killerton (NT) Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon.

Photo © National Trust

The 8 hectare hillside garden is beautiful throughout the year, with rhododendrons, magnolias, herbaceous borders and rare trees; also an ice house and early 19th century rustic style summer-house known as 'The Bear's Hut.'


Knightshayes Court (NT) Bolham, Tiverton, Devon.

Photo © NTPL / Rupert Truman

The garden developed by Sir John and Lady Heathcoat Amory since 1945, it is arguably the finest in Devon, amounting to 20 hectares added to the original 1 hectare of Victorian formality. Topiary and yew hedges lead down to a lily-pond; there are exceptional trees (including a stand of Douglas fir a century old) rare plants, shrubs and bulbs and an early example of 'A garden in the Wood'.

Long Cross Victorian Gardens (V) Trelights, Port Isaac, Cornwall.

Photo © www.longcrosshotel.co.uk

Surprises around every corner in the true Victorian fashion. The charm of this garden is the maze-like effect due to hedges protecting against the sea winds, with views of country-side and sea-scapes (Port Isaac and Port Quin bays.)

Marwood Hill Gardens nr. Barnstaple, Devon.

Photo © www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk

The creator of the gardens was Dr James Smart, who moved to Marwood in 1949. The land that is now Marwood Hill Gardens consisted then of an old broken down walled garden and a few fruit trees. The rest of the land was pastureland with a small stream running through the valley. Between 1960 and 1970 many trees and shrubs were planted in the 8 acres that was then the gardens.

A 20 acre garden with 3 small lakes. It has an extensive collection collection of camellias under glass and in the open. Daffodils, rhododendrons, rare flowering shrubs, rock and alpine scree, waterside planting, bog garden and many clematis and Australian native plants. National Collections of Astilbe, Iris ensata and Tulbaghia. See also the About Britain web site for this garden.

Milton Lodge Gardens Milton Wells, Somerset.

Photo © www.miltonlodgegardens.co.uk

Mature, alkaline terraced garden of great charm, overlooking Wells Cathedral and the Vale of Avalon. Dating from 1909, it was replanned in 1962 with mixed borders, old-fashioned roses, ground cover, numerous climbers and old established yew hedges. Fine trees in garden and in separate 7 acre arboretum dating from early 19th century and situated on opposite side of the Old Bristol Road. Garden and arboretum registered Grade II on National Heritage Registry of Historic Parks and Gardens.

Old Mill Herbary Helland Bridge, Bodmin, Cornwall.

Photo © www.oldmillherbary.co.uk

Approximately 5 acres of semi-wild garden, with natural woodland walks alongside unspoilt River Camel. Many wild flowers, with extensive planted displays of culinary, medicinal and aromatic herbs, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Active mill-leat with water gardens, fountains, aquatics and bog plants. Botanical interest, selection of herbs and aquatic plants for sale. Raised patio pond, stocked with aquatics, koi and other fish.

Overbecks (NT) Sharpitor, Salcomb, Devon.

Photo © NTPL / George Wright

A beautiful and luxuriant sub-tropical garden, with spectacular views over the Salcombe estuary, enjoys a warm microclimate and so is home to many rare plants, trees and shrubs.

Penjerrick Budock, Falmouth, Cornwall.

Photo © www.penjerrickgarden.co.uk

A 15 acre garden of botanical interest as home of the Barclay and Penjerrick rhododendron hybrids. The upper garden with lovely sea-view contains many rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias, azaleas, bamboos, tree ferns and magnificent trees. The luxuriant lower valley garden features ponds in a wild woodland setting.

Pine Lodge Gardens & Nursery Holmbush, St Austell, Cornwall.

Photo © www.pinelodgegardens.co.uk

Ray and Shirley Clemo's 30-acre estate, in its mild climate of mid-Cornwall, comprises several themed gardens within Pine Lodge garden. There is a wide range of some 5500 plants, all of which are labelled. In addition to rhododendrons, magnolias and camellias, so familiar in Cornish gardens, there are Mediterranean and southern-hemisphere plants grown for all -year-round interest. Many planting schemes, renowned for their imaginative use of colour, ensure that you will enjoy the herbaceous borders, fernery, formal garden, woodland walk and shrubberies.

Pine Lodge's water features include; a large wild life pond, an ornamental pond with cascades (stocked with koi carp), a lake with an island (home to black swans and many waterfowl), a newt pond and marsh gardens. Trees are also a speciality with an acer glade, a collection of 80 different conifers in a four-acre pinetum, and an arboretum. A Japanese garden is currently in preparation and a wild flower meadow was established in 2000. Pine Lodge is the holder of the National Collection of Grevillea.

Plant World Gardens & Nursery St. Marychurch Road, Newton Abbot, Devon.

Photo © Plant World Seeds

One of the floral delights of Devon, Plant World Gardens are laid out to represent each of the five continents of the world. Inspirational gardens from around the world contain countless rare and exotic plants seldom seen outside their native lands. A large mature cottage garden and mediterranean garden completes the collection. National Collection of Primula (sect. Cortusoides).

Established in 1985, Plant World is the culmination of plantsman Ray Brown's lifelong ambition and has been featured on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. The magnificent views over the Teign Valley, from Dartmoor to the sea, provide the incredible backdrop to what will surely be a memorable visit. So if you are passionate about plants and gardens, Plant World is a definite 'must-see' during your visit to beautiful South Devon.

Porthpean House St Austel, Cornwall.

A special collection of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, but also a magnificent view of St Austell Bay and access to the beach. This three-acre garden was first developed by Maurice Petherick some 40 years ago. It contains a special collection of camellias, also many azaleas and rhododendrons. The grounds have access to the beach and from the main lawn there is a magnificent view of St Austell Bay;. on spring days cherry blossoms stand out sharply against the blue of the sea. There is also a nursery garden with Victorian greenhouses.

Prior Park Landscape Garden (NT) Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, Somerset.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

Beautiful and intimate 18th century landscape garden created by Bath entrepreneur Ralph Allen (1693-1764) with advice from the poet Alexander Pope and Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Sweeping valley with magnificent views of the City of Bath. Palladian Bridge and lakes. Ornamental Palladian bridge, one of only four in the world.

Probus Gardens Truro, Cornwall.

This 7.5 acre garden was started from a green field site in the early 1970s, to serve the needs of the local community as a centre for horticulture. It explains the many aspects of gardening with displays of annuals, herbaceous perennials shrubs, trees, conifers and hedges. Also layouts for fruit, vegetables and general garden designs. Annually different trials are grown and these add to the enjoyment of this diverse and interesting garden. A place to visit to get ideas at any time of the year.

Roseland House Garden & Nursery Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall.

Photo © www.roselandhouse.co.uk

The garden at Roseland house has suffered mixed fortunes over the years. In the 1860's it was, like the house victorianised, but by the end of WW2 there was little left, the whole area having been "dug for victory". Following the war a succession of owners and tenants failed to make much impact, land was sold off and when the new owners arrived in 1983 the garden was empty of plants, featureless and without shelter. Gardening did not begin straight away but the hedges, trees and shrubs planted in the early days now provide the shelter without which nothing much will grow in Cornwall.

The garden contains many climbers including a great many old Rambling roses and Clematis (the two often mix well together) with a large selection of Clematis viticella hybrids in the garden. The garden is the holders of one of the National Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs.)

The garden will be open to visitors each Tuesday & Wednesday April to September. 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Adults £2.50 (children free). Teas (with home made cakes) are available, dogs on leads are welcome. There is no parking at the garden on garden open days, but the free village car park is only 100 yards from the garden and there is also parking on nearby roads. Please contact the owners if someone in your party has problems with mobility as special arrangements can be made.

Rosemoor Garden (RHS) Great Torrington, North Devon.

Photo © The Royal Horticultural Society 2007

Set deep in the lovely North Devon countryside, RHS Garden, Rosemoor has now come of age as a garden of national importance. Lady Anne Berry gifted Rosemoor to the RHS seven years ago, since when the original eight acres have been greatly developed. To the huge range of plants collected by Lady Anne, the RHS has added features such as the Formal Garden, extensive herbaceous borders, herb and cottage gardens, a potager, the Foliage and Plantsman's Garden and extensive stream and lakeside plantings. Recent additions include the Mediterranean and semi-tropical plantings which have been thriving in the recent long hot summers and the newly planted Winter Garden. But what is perhaps the most popular feature of this delightful garden is the extensive rose garden, proving beyond doubt the lie that the West Country cannot produce beautiful roses.

Stourhead (NT) Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire.

Photo © NTPL / Nick Meers

Stourhead garden was created by Henry Hoare II in the 1740s. The River Stour was dammed to form a great lake. Around the lake Hoare laid out a landscape garden to entrance his guests with stunning views and pacify them with serene walking pleasure. The landscape garden, an outstanding example of the English landscape style, was laid out between 1741 and 1780. Classical temples, set amongst rare, mature trees and shrubs, which surround the lake.

Tapeley House and Gardens Instow, nr. Bideford, Devon.

Italianate gardens, set in a 35 acres with stunning coastal views. The terraces with long wall borders shelter many herbaceous and tender plants.

The Courts Garden (NT) Holt, nr Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

A seven acre garden of mystery with fine collection of trees and shrubs. Hedged vistas and water garden planted with irises and lilies. Unusual topiary and garden ornaments. The garden is complemented by an arboretum with natural planting of spring bulbs, a kitchen garden and orchard.

The Eden Project St Austell, Cornwall.

Built on a former china-clay pit, the 'garden' is housed in huge geodesic domes called 'biodomes'and in crescent-shaped terraces outside. Tim Smitt, already famed for his work at the nearby Lost Garden of Heligan, created it. The two are as different as chalk from cheese. The latter is a traditional large country house garden while The Eden Project can be described as a multifaceted botanical experience or an extraordinary botanical garden. The importance of the relationship between plants and mankind is stressed at every turn as one explores the site but this is done subtly and one does not feel one is being lectured to.

The site is divided into three parts. The first two, humid tropical and Mediterranean are housed in huge biodomes where the plants, wildlife and climate can be controlled. The cool temperate area (under preparation at the time of writing) is situated outside.

Time-Trail of Roses Wells, Somerset.

A rose garden with over 1500 varieties planted in date-order of their introduction, displaying their beauty, diversity and evolution in 0.5 acre. Well-labelled, with plan and rose ancestry guide. It contains favourites, rarities, ancient and modern species plus the NCCPG collection of rose miniatures. Amateur-bred roses and 'Millenium Tribute to Conservation of Roses since 1900', on rustic arches, Georgian tunnel, Victorian gazebo, arbors, obelisks. Also medieval herb garden, spring bulbs, lilies and abundant fruit. A paradise for lovers of roses.

Tintinhull House Garden (NT) Tintinhull, Yeovil, Somerset.

Photo © NTPL / Nick Meers

A 20th century formal garden surrounding a 17th century house. The garden layout, divided into areas by walls and hedges, has border colour and plant themes, including shrub roses and clematis. A tranquil oasis of small pools, secluded lawns and beautiful borders. Particularly fine azalea garden, fountain garden and kitchen garden.

Trebah Garden Mawnan Smith, nr. Falmouth, Cornwall.

Planted in 1840 by Charles Fox, Trebah is no pampered, pristine garden with clipped hedges, close-mown striped lawns and daily raked paths. You will find here a magnificent, old, wild and magical Cornish valley. The end product of one hundred years of inspired and dedicated creation followed by forty lost years of mellowing and fifteen years of love, toil and re-creation.

The twenty-five acre, steeply wooded ravine falls 200 feet from the 18th century house down to a private beach on the Helford River. A stream cascading over waterfalls, through ponds full of giant Koi carp and exotic water plants, winds through two acres of blue and white hydrangeas and then spills out over the beach. Glades of huge sub-tropical tree ferns and palms mingle with giant gunnera, gurcraea and echium, and over all is the great rolling canopy of 100 year old rhododendrons and a multitude of trees and shrubs with ever-changing colour and scent. See also the Sisley Tours web site.

Trelissick Garden (NT) Feock, nr. Truro, Cornwall.

Photo © NTPL / Stephen Robson

A superb collection of tender and exotic plants bring colour to this tranquil garden at all times. There are extensive park and woodland walks beside the river, with panoramic views across the estuary to Falmouth. Home to the National Collection of Photinia and Azaras.

Trengwainton Garden (NT) Madron, nr. Penzance, Cornwall.

Photo © NTPL / Andrea Jones

Perhaps the garden on mainland Britain most favoured for the cultivation of exotic trees and shrubs, this is a beautiful place throughout the year and a plantsman's delight. The walled garden has many tender plants which cannot be grown in the open anywhere else in the country

Tresco Abbey Garden Isles of Scilly, Cornwall.

Photo © 2007 Tresco Estate

Tresco's world-famous Abbey Garden is a lush, green maze of paths which meander between cacti, date palms and tree ferns; aloes, camellias and lilies. Strolling along these shaded walks and terraces, you'll discover medieval ruins, delightful sculptures, and a fascinating collection of shipwrecked figureheads. National Collection of Acacia.

Trewithen Garden Grampound Road, nr. Truro, Cornwall.

Photo © www.trewithengardens.co.uk

Covering some thirty acres and created in the early years of this century by George Johnson, these gardens are outstanding and internationally famous. They are renowned for their magnificent collections of camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and many rare trees and shrubs which are seldom found elsewhere in Britain. The extensive woodland gardens are surrounded by traditional landscaped parkland. Other attractions include a children's playground and a video presentation of the house gardens.

Winsford Walled Garden Winsford Lane, Halwill Junction, Devon.

Photo © 2000-2007 Winsford Walled Garden

The original garden owner's family can be traced back to the Cornish artist Henry Bone R.A. (1755-1834), through the most famous of all Victorian Big Game hunters, Capt. F.C. Selous, friends of whom included US President Theodore Roosevelt.

The gardens were a surprise discovery in February 1999 by Mike and his mother Aileen. By June of that year they moved in to what was an abandoned and derelict mess. Since then they have barely paused for breath doing all the work themselves. The first six months were spent clearing the gardens and walls of ivy, brambles and other unmentionables.

From the outset they wanted to create a stunning summer flower garden within the magic of its Victorian garden walls. Only later did they discover the original Victorian walled garden had been designed as a walled summer flower garden! In Victorian times there were once thirty gardeners and the Victorian history is detailed in a permanent photographic exhibition which includes photographs of the original Victorian household.

Mike and Aileen’s vision has developed rapidly to become one of the most colourful summer gardens were exotic features and plants abound. The 14ft high walls are covered in clematis and wisteria, (there are 100 different clematis alone). There’s a very extensive range of shrubs and herbaceous plants. There are over 50 different thymes in the herb garden, 45 different hosta varieties together with a range of carnivorous plants. A walk-in bamboo grove, a 60ft long alpine house and restored Victorian greenhouses filled with tender climbers.