Madelaine Dalton

Daughter and I, possibly sister and two nieces (ages 40 to 65) planning to tour England and explore heritage. Original plans were Sept. 97 but all are very fond of lovely flowers and beautiful gardens. Shall we wait until April 99? Comments appreciated or e-mail direct to [email protected]. Thanx!

Kat

I've toured gardens in England in spring and in September (in fact, going back this year again in September). English weather really is best in September when the days are mostly warm and sunny. And, the summer borders in the gardens are stunning, not to be missed. Yes, September is different as one doesn't see the spring bulb flowers but a late summer English garden is no slouch in the horticultural world. The gardens are crowded with all the summer bloomers including spectacular dahlias, clematis, fuchsias galore, hydrangeas, lavenders, and a zillion flowers I am hard pressed to name. I remember being surprised by the roses at Wisley (Royal Horticultural Society garden a bit south of London) which were abundantly gorgeous in September. Don't know where you're planning to visit in England yet thought I'd mention the gardens I have found to be especially wonderful: Christopher Lloyd's gardens at Great Dixter near Rye in East Sussex (and just down the road from Sackville-West/Nicolson's Sissinghurst near Cranbrook in Kent, also visit-worthy); Kiftsgate Court near Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds; Hidcote Manor also near Chipping Campden and just 'across the lane' from Kiftsgate; Wisley, the RHS gardens south of London near Woking (take the train from Waterloo Station); Beth Chatto Gardens at Elmstead Market near Colchester; Hever Castle near Edenbridge in Kent; William Robinson's restored gardens at Gravetye Manor near East Grinstead in West Sussex (access restricted to lodgers or diners, both the accommodations and the restaurant are excellent . . . a wonderful 'English Country House' experience). Final note: in London across the Thames next to Lambeth Palace is the Gardening Museum, a delightful and different sort of place -- definitely recommended! It's listed in most guidebooks.

Deb

I'd pick September. The roses bloom on into October and there's plenty of garden delights to see even if the spring bulbs are long gone. Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, and Kew are all accessable from London by public transport and worth the trips if you want to soak up a good mix of gardens and Brit History. Enjoy!

Lanny

September is better than April as the two previous writers have suggested. Much is still in bloom in England at that time -- I have been there a number of times in England -- though of course you are into the late summer flowers by then. The weather is generally wonderful in September too. By contrast, April can be very rainy and it is not warm, nor are most of the nicest flowers in bloom at that time. May -- mid May to the beginning of June -- is the nicest time to see spring flowering at its best, and indeed, the rose gardens look their best then too. Plus the weather has a more moderate temperature, the rains are less and it is before the heat of summer. If you cannot move the April 1990 date to mid-May 1999, which would be my first choice, then I would say go for September 1998. And enjoy.

sgorces

England is so terrific to visit that I think the only answer to this question is sooner rather than later! September should be great.