The Other Spot

If you are looking for some great gardens to visit in Europe then why not try some of the locations below. Whether you are visiting as part of a group, family or as an individual there are some great gardens to visit.

MOUNT STEWART – You can see the Strangford Lough from the gardens and the city of Belfast is only 15 miles away. Travel: Portaferry Road, nr Newtownards, 15 miles east of Belfast, off the A20. Open 1 May-30 Sept, daily (10am-8pm). Admission pounds 3.90, children pounds 2.10, NT members free.

THE EDEN PROJECT – Project Eden has made the headlines more than any other garden project in the last thirty years. Travel: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall. Admission pounds 10, OAPs pounds 7.50, students pounds 5, children 5- 15 pounds 4, under-fives free. Open all year, except Christmas Eve and Day (summer opening 9.30am-9pm).

ARLEY HALL – This is one of the oldest and finest gardens, Arley Hall is home to herbaceous shrubs and perennials. Travel: Great Budworth, Cheshire, five miles north of Northwich, signed from M6 and M62. Open mid-Apr-Sept Tue-Sun and bank holidays (11am-5pm). Admission pounds 4.50, concessions pounds 3.90, children 5-16 pounds 2.25, under-fives free.

EDINBURGH BOTANIC – The RBG, or Royal Botanic Garden, is the garden in all of Scotland. What is even better about this beautiful place is that it is completely free. Travel: Off A902, one mile north of the city centre, entrances at Inverleith Row and Arboretum Place. Open daily all year, except Christmas and New Year (10am-4pm, to 7pm Apr-Sept).

ARBORETUM KALMTHOUT – The finest collection of trees and shrubs in Belgium, and possibly Europe. Travel: Heuvel 2, Kalmthout, on N117, 8km from the E19 motorway, exit 4. Open mid-Mar to mid-Nov daily and during the Hamamelis Festival in Jan and Feb (10am-5pm). Admission EUR4, concessions EUR3.50, children EUR2.

SISSINGHURST – Representing the efforts and dreams of many British gardeners, this walled garden is a testament to the ones who built it.  Travel: Nr Cranbrook, Kent. Open late Mar-2 Nov. Mon, Tue, Fri (11am-6.30pm), weekends and bank holidays (10am- 6.30pm). Admission pounds 6.50, children pounds 3, NT members free.

ALNWICK CASTLE – Due to the extensive renovation work that is currently being down on the 12 acre walled garden, Alnwick Castle is very new to the scene. Travel: Alnwick is 35 miles to the north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Open year round, except Christmas Day (10am-8pm or dusk). Admission pounds 4, concessions pounds 3.50, under-16s free.

WISLEY – This remarkable garden has done well despite poor soil and being too close to nearby roads. Travel: Surrey, seven miles north of Guildford on A3. Open year round, Mon-Fri (10am-6pm), weekends (9am-6pm), Nov-Feb to 4.30pm. Admission pounds 6, children pounds 2.  www.rhs.org.uk/ gardens/wisley.

SHEFFIELD – The Sheffield Botanical Gardens date back to the 1830s. Travel: Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, south-west of the city centre. Open in summer on weekdays (8am-7.30pm) weekends (10am- 7.30pm) pavilions (11am-5pm). Admission free.

GIVERNY – Claude Monet’s garden. It is almost like a dream to walk through.  Travel: Rue Claude Monet, Giverny, 4km from Vernon, south- east of Rouen on the N15, 70km west of Paris. Open Apr-Oct, daily except Mon, 9.30am- 6pm.