2015 is here and winter's notoriously cold, crisp mornings are in full effect. As spring begins to thaw through winter's sub zero temperatures, we have researched and identified 12 gardens that are certainly worth a visit over the year ahead.
At Appleyard London, we love anything and everything related to nature whether it's flowers, gardens or horticulture, we love it all and we wanted to share this with you. Therefore, we have picked out 12 stunning gardens from areas all over the UK that we recommend you visit in 2015. Each of the selected gardens has their own unique selling point; but, they all hold one common factor, they all offer beauty and tranquillity.
So here are the 12 gardens that we recommend you visit, maybe you could visit one a month throughout 2015?
Bressingham Gardens boast 17 acres of beautiful, tranquil land, all available for you to wonder through and to forget about your troubles. There are more than 8000 species and cultivars of perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees, conifers, ferns and bulbs to enjoy, some gorgeous river planting and super sculpted conifers too. With over 60,000 visitors per year, Bressingham Gardens has earned itself a great reputation for winter colours.
2) Dunbeath Castle & Gardens
This historic piece of magic situated on the North East coast of Scotland has been standing tall for over a 150 years. The Dunbeath Castle garden was remodelled in the mid 19th century following its first lay in 1860. Following this, the gardens have grown to display vegetables, shrubs, flowers and strong trees. The gardens form little rooms which are surrounded by herbaceous borders!
Based in the heart of the Scottish boarders with over 300 years of tree planting, the Dawyck Botanical gardens attract thousands of people each year. Flaming leaves and luscious berries ensure that autumn is a memorable time of year for visitors. The gardens boast an award-winning visitor centre too.
Malleny Gardens are the place you can visit if you require a few hours of quiet contemplation in beautiful surroundings. Malleny is renowned for its array of old fashioned roses which are arranged in 'nice on the eye' colour combinations. This 3 acre walled garden is dominated by four magnificent clipped yew trees dating from the 17th century (see picture). There is a vegetable patch, Victorian greenhouse and a herb garden available for you to enjoy.
5)Â Sheffield Winter Garden
The Winter Garden in the city of Sheffield, is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK during the last hundred years, and the largest urban glasshouse anywhere in Europe. The bedding plants are changed five times a year to give a seasonal change. The Winter Gardens offer you a series of gift shops, small museums as well as food and drink stands. Each April, it plays host to the Snooker World Championship's commentators and production team.
The original garden at RHS Garden Rosemoor was created by Lady Anne Berry, and is a true plantsman's garden. The whole of Rosemoor is surrounded by woodland, and the acidic soil and valley-bottom location proffer their own challenges, as despite a generally mild climate, the garden is subject to frosts from October through to May. Highly ornamental gardens with shrubs, roses, perennials and bulbs were established during the first ten years of the gardens' life. (Credit to RHS Garden Rosemoor see here)
7) Speke Hall
The Speke Hall Gardens are set in one of of the most industrialised areas of Liverpool, but you would never know. There is a great feel of being in the countryside with the restored, largely modern gardens playing host to a dry moat made up of spring bulbs, formal flower beds, a rose garden and many more blooming varieties. Speke Gardens offer you some great nature walks and stunning views.
8) Marwood Hill
This prestigious, award winning garden in the North of Devon is a private 20 acre garden with 3 lakes, a plant centre and a garden tea room. There are extensive collections of camellias as well as 3 national and impressive collections of Astilbe, Japenese Iris and Tulbaghia Bog gardens. The Marwood Hill Gardens have appeared on the BBC Gardeners World and is well respected for its international display of trees and shrubs including Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Wisteria.
9) Castle Hill
Castle Hill's high class gardens cast back to the early 1700's; bearing all the hallmarks of a country house estate lavished with attention, love and care. At Castle Hill, visitors are welcome to stroll around the mass woodland whilst taking in the natural scenery. There is plenty on offer with a Millennium Garden, a series of exhibitions and regular events. Whilst these gardens are for all the family as children are encouraged to clamber up the Tanglewood Tree, you can even take the dog!
10) Newby Hall
Newby Hall and Gardens is renowned for its double herbaceous borders, which are made extra special as they are one of the longest in Europe! Off the central walls you will find formal, compartmented gardens such as the Autumn Garden, Tropical Garden and species Rose Garden. The Newby Hall Gardens greet you with splashing fountains, a Victorian Rock Garden, a famous curving pergola and a water garden.
The Old Vicarage is a remarkable 32 acre garden incorporating brilliant plating, formal design and plenty of decorative exuberance. Despite the Old Vicarage's location just by the North Sea, it is very well protected by wind breakers which allows the grounds men and women to grow tender blooms. Sculptures and imaginatively plant pots and containers, plus finely detailed walls and gates all play their decorative part to this garden. This garden grows yearly as the owners continue to refine and develop the different areas!
12) Alnwick Garden
Not so long ago, the land in which the Alnwich Gardens sits was derelict; something unthinkable now as you stroll around one of the most innovative and spectacular gardens in Britain. From poison gardens to enormous tree houses, Alnwick offers something from everyone. There are regular events as a jazz band plays whilst you eat at the Pavilion Café. One of the regular events includes Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food sessions which offer you the chance to improve your cooking skills!
Having seen all 12 of our recommended gardens to visit, which ones interest you the most? Maybe you could make a plan and try and see one garden per month throughout 2015? If you manage to get out to see any of them, we would love to here about it!
Loading...