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Best Gardens in Southeast England for bulbs in March
If I can persuade my husband to go.................
Which gardens, castles, houses have the best bulbs in mid to late March? It looks to me like it will be Magnolia and Daffodil time. At the moment I'm considering Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent. We love large trees and landscape gardens in preference to formal gardens. |
Any/all of the gardens will have major displays of bulbs and early spring flowers. You really can't go wrong. But if it was me - I might choose RHS Wisley.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/wisley/index.asp |
For larege trees and landscaped gardens, the bulbs display in mid-late March, I am afraid, would be less spectacular unless you mean bluebells.
In RHS Wisley you could find late daffodils and early Tulips near the restaurant, the boarders garden will be nice too. If you are coming from London to Wisley on public transport, there are two gardens with lovely landscaped Parks on the same busline #515 (from Kingston to Gilford,cheap dayrover covers the route): Claremont Landscape Garden (Nation Trust) http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...andscapegarden , the ideal English park we see so many in paintings, with one of the oldest camellla trees in U.K.. Painshill Park http://www.painshill.co.uk/ another love landscape park nearby, but not much bulbs either. For bulbs and landscaped gardens, Savill Garden and Valley Gardens http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/landscape/ outside of Winsor are lovely to visit. If you are into bluebells woods and large landscaped park, you might find Sheffield Park( by Capability Brown) in Sussex very enjoyable http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...parkgarden.htm it is fun to take the Bluebell railway to get there. |
Bluebells don't flower until April/May.
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You are qutie right about bluebells, but once I walked through bluebell woods by Sissinghurst in late March.
Forget to mention Kew Gardens- one of the best places for bulbs and old trees by London. |
Slight change of topic, but have you started your trip report of your September trip to England?
I replied to lots of your questions about north Devon and the Cotswolds, and would love to hear how it all went...??? |
Daffs really aren't park or Big Garden flowers, though they're nice scattered round parks.
From late Feb (most years) they're practically the national weed. Apart from those in your own back garden, I'd say the nicest are the ones you see in clumps all over the countryside - especially on rural roadsides, and in lots of ordinary fields you'd use to walk through. For all the reputation Big Garden has, what's really nice as spring starts hitting England is just meandering along a decent footpath somewhere there's a fair bit of vegetation as well as the statutory few dozen lambs gambolling about. The scattered daff clumps are far nicer, in my view, than the big drifts you often see in managed parks and the like. Daffs just don't take to big, formal fields of the sort the Dutch have for tulips |
hi wrenwood
to try to answer your question, you could try Wakehurst place [the RHS country seat], Scotney Castle, sissinghurst, Chartwell, possibly sheffield park. actually, you're in the wrong county - you need to be in Cornwall to see daffs! Cotehele actually a has daffodill weekend and keeps a national collection, and i know that they are wonderful at LLanhydrock and Trelissick 'cos I've seen them. however some of the most spectacular are the ones i will soon see every day on my way to work which have been planted along the roadsides by a kind and benevolent local council. [does that count as the least useful remark so far this year?] just so as you know. |
OK Julia you got me started on my Trip Report, first day is posted! I have been working on our DVDs that we make of trips with music, and neglected my Trip Reports. Still have 2 to do for Switzerland!
It sounds like we should maybe just concentrate on wonderful properties and gardens, the spring show will be there. I have been looking for a neat place to stay the first night close to Wisley. That way we won't have to drive too far coming from Heathrow. Any ideas? Kew, Wakehurst Place, Scotney Castle, Sissinghurst, Sheffield Park, Valley Gardens at Windsor, Borde Hill, Hever, Penshurst Place also possibilities. I'm thinking of staying in Rye, would really like a small town base with a wonderful B&B and dinner spots we can walk to. I realize it's not "central" but it doesn't look to be too far from any place we might want to go. Thoughts? |
By the way Ann, I would LOVE to see Caerhay's Castle Gardens in late March, but alas, it's just too far. :(
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hi wrenwood,
this is the place we stayed at in late August when visiting old friends who live in Claygate, near the Claremont landscape garden. http://www.lilac-cottage-esher.co.uk/ it is very nicely done out, quiet, with medium sized rooms, good bathroom, great breakfast. the owner was exceptionally helpful, giving us a lift to our friends' house on the night of their party. it is right next to Hinchley Wood BR station for trips up to town, and 20 mins from wisley in one direction, Hampton Court the other. if your intention is to see the gardens you've mentioned, honestly Rye is too far away. Westerham, Sevonoaks, Tunbridge Wells or somewhere in that area would be better. Alistair Sawdays has some good recommendations. have a great trip regards, ann PS - how could I have missed Caehays out of my list? |
Pashley Manor in Ticehurst, east Sussex near to Sissinghurst and Scotney, has a tulip festival in late April (so will not be of interest to you traveling in March but might be to others)
http://www.pashleymanorgardens.com/index.html |
Penshurst place has lovely orchards underplanted with bulbs; I was there mid-March and it was glorious. The front approach to Hever castle is also filled with daffodils and fritillaries; the garden is gorgeous just then, although I wanted to go back in rose time. Both might be described as formal, but they also have shrubberies and (particularly Hever) lots of walks. And both Penshurst and Hever are fascinating indoors as well, especially if you're interested in the Tudors.
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NGS have open gardens from March - you need to puy in a post code & dates to find one or search by county without a date. Each garden is described to help you decide. Some I have been to are excellent. Each garden should have 45 minutes of interest & you can sometimes cram in 3 gardens in an afternoon. In Liverpool 'one' open garden consisted of 4 gardens & an allotment that took all afternoon to walk around. We also have the field of hope that is filled with millions of daffodils at Easter & there should be such fields everywhere.
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Still love the idea of staying in Rye.
What about first few days near East Grinstead, and a few days in Rye? These two places work as bases? |
hi wrenwood,
personally, i wouldn't stay in East GriMstead, but Rye is lovely, if a bit off the beaten track. 2 ngihts there would probably suffice and give time to see Winchelsea, Camber sands, etc. have you read the Mapp and Lucia books by EF Benson? they are set in fictional Tilling, which is in fact Rye, and were televised on the BBC with the wonderful Geraldine McKewen. [on DVD I believe]. i will have a think about alternatives to EG. |
OK - Do you mean east Gri<B>N</B>stead -- or East Gri<B>M</B>stead? Two entirely different places.
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Sorry ......... East GriNstead ~ Gravetye Manor has some specials if I decide I can swallow the price ...... :)
Ann ~ haven't heard of Mapp and Lucia books, but I might have to take a look if we go to Rye. Working on places to visit from both bases Have also looked at this B&B ~ looks nice, but I don't think I need 3 places to stay for just a week. http://www.sissinghurstcastlefarmhouse.com/ |
janisj - sorry - East GriMstead was a jokE!!! No idea if it exists or not. I'll have to remember the smiley face next time!
wrenwood - we had an anniversary meal at Gravetye once - we turned up in my metro [very small, low value car] and parked it next to all the mercs and BMWs. they treated us like royalty - the best service we've ever enjoyed, anywhere. not to mention lovely food. if you can afford it, go for it. you could stay at Sissinghurst instead of East Grinstead, not as well as. |
ok - alternatives to staying in EG -
Chiddingstone [frequently used to film locations where they need not to see telegraph poles, etc.] Hever Royal Tunbridge Wells Westerham Sevenoaks plus, if you're in the area just north of T'Wells, have a look at the George and Dragon in speldhurst for lunch/dinner - 2nd oldest pub in the country, allegedly. it's changed hands since we lived in the area but still looks good. |
The thing is - both do exist. East GriNstead (the grim one :) ) in Sussex, and East GriMstead just east of Salisbury in Wiltshire.
I wouldn't stay in E. Grinstead in any case. I'd pick one location and use it as a base -- near Sissinghurst would be good, or one of the villages around Bewl Water. Or, if you really want to stay in Rye, then Rye and one other location. When I'm visiting Kent/East Sussex, I usually pick just one B&B or cottage and use it to see the whole area. |
One of the reasons I want to stay at Gravetye is the William Robinson connection. Rick Darke, here in the US, has influenced my personal thoughts, and professional thoughts (landscape and garden design) and he has just released an expanded version of Robinson's book "The Wild Garden." Rick spent time at Gravetye and I think we would like staying there and wandering around. Rick said there is a nice pub "The Cat" in East? West? Hoathley, whichever town is close by. We'll probably do a dinner pkg @ Gravetye for 2 nights, and 1 night more w/o dinner so we can go where we please. It seems to be close to a lot of gardens. They have some nice pkgs for March.
First night (actually 2nd night ~ hoping to take an AM flight from IAD, sleep at Heathrow Marriot and then be able to do a full day on Sunday) I'm thinking of staying at Savill Court Hotel. It's right next to the Valley Gardens at Windsor. I'm sure we could spend a whole day there, and at Windsor Castle if time, we haven't seen Windsor Castle. If we spend the next 3 nights at Gravetye (M,T,W) that only leaves 2 nights available, Thurs & Fri. I'm assuming we'll stay Sat night somewhere close to Heathrow, maybe Oakley Court again. It wasn't bad and pretty convenient. So where to spend Thursday and Friday? Working on my list of gardens, will post tomorrow so you can tell me I'm crazy, we'll NEVER have time to see them all. Maybe I have to give up Rye :( Hey......it's my FANTASY list! |
The post code for Gravetye brings up 4 pages of open gardens on NGS site for March. Some are over 20 acres. Hampton Court Palace is listed. One may fill your free afternoon.
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I looked at NGS and only came up with one page for the week that we will be there. But there are some on there that look interesting especially Great Comp. Question ~ must we join NGS, or do we just pay for a garden as we arrive?
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NGS gardens are pay as you enter & depending on size price is usually between £1.50 & £5.00. Some of the smaller ones can be disappointing but there are some gems out there. I try & get a few in one area & make an afternoon. One or two have taken all afternoon.
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Pick up a Yellow Book - it will help you find all sorts of gardens as you motor around.
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Below is my fantasy list for the moment. I'm thinking not to stay in Rye and not to do Dover Castle. As janisj said in an earlier post, I could reach all of these I think from one base. I do want to stay at Gravetye..........but I don't want to stay there the whole time, that would be too many $$$. So I still need another base.
Valley Gardens @ Windsor Wisley Nymans Borde Hill Wakehurst Hever Castle High Beeches Scotney Castle Leeds Castle Goodnestone Park Gardens ???Godinton House Gardens ???Penhurst Place I know, I know, probably too many for 7 days. Chosen because they specifically mention early spring gardens and for Champion or wonderful trees. |
I'd do Penshurst Place over Leeds any day of the week. And maybe try to squeeze in Chartwell. Not hugely famous for the gardens/grounds but very pretty, and the house is lovely.
Not really too many for 7 days IMO. Some might take half a day, but most are in the 2 or 3 hours range and several are near each other. To give you and idea - last time I stayed in the area -- day 1 I picked up a car at LGW in the AM and hit Hever, Chartwell and Penshurst before diving to our B&B near Ticehurst. It was long day but none of the three place was cut short - opening time at Hever til closing time at Penshurst w/ lunch at Chartwell. Another day we easily did Sissinghurst, Scotney Castle, Bodiam (not a garden but really interesting) and Bayham Abbey. Had 'brunch' in the cafe at Sissinghurst before the gardens opened at 11:00. Spent about 2.5 hours or a bit more at Sissinghurst and nearly 2 hours hours at Scotney. They are so near each other you don't waste time in travel. And all are covered by the GBHP. |
My favourite gardens in the area would be
Kew Nymans Hever castle Wisley I think in 7 days I'd choose a maximum of 7 gardens and if the weather is bad I'd skip the gardens. Spring flowers look awful in the pouring rain! |
Hmm, if gardens are the sole point of the trip then of course it's possible to see drive around and see all on your list.
I hope the weather complies! |
janis, what did you like so much about Bodiam?
Chartwell is on my secondary list along with Charles Darwin's house. I'll move Penhurst up, marysidney liked it too. |
If you want a castle w/i a moat, you can do Bodiam (squeeze it in on your Scotney/Sissinghurst day since they are near each other) and then skip Leeds ;)
Bodiam is a ruin of course - but it is very complete and one can do a lot of climbing and clambering. Might make a good break in a series of non-stop gardens (not that non-stop gardens is bad) These aren't the best photos out there but do give you an idea. http://www.castlegate.net/castles/bodiam/bodiam1.htm http://tinyurl.com/ybsr4qg I have a couple of amazing pix but they aren't on-line. |
What attracted me to Leeds was the picture
http://www.leeds-castle.com/goto.php...Park_&_Gardens "In Spring, the Wood Garden alongside the River Len is a particularly lovely way to approach the castle. Its carpet of Daffodils, Narcissi and Anemones presents a vibrant burst of colour." Bodiam does look nice, I'll keep it marked on my map. |
The grounds at Leeds truly are nice -- I just don't like the castle at all. Really more a conference centre and wedding venue. But if you <i>promise</i> to not go inside and only tour the gardens - then I'll give my permission :D
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the two best gardener's gardens in the area are [IMHO] Great Comp and Great Dixter. the latter was the life's work of the wonderful Christopher Lloyd and if it's gardens you're after, it's the one you want.
leeds castle is lovely, but best in the summer I think.[a terrific rose garden in June]. we were shown round the house by a flunky who kept going on about "Lady Bailey" in a revoltingly sycophantic way. Wakehurst Place is the country seat of Kew so lovely but rather tree oriented. Sissinghurst is primarily for the garden, Chartwell for the house and Churchillian associations [I used to live so close we could walk there if feeling energetic - it's rumoured locally that the famous wall was tidied up by the builders who happened to be working on the house at the time that Churchill was supposedly building it]. i can't remember Bodiam very well. but Scotney is nice in a wild sort of way. need to look at a map again to suggest a third place to stay. |
hi wrenwood,
How about this place? http://www.hailshamgrange.co.uk/ I found it on alastair sawdays and it's even in the yellow book itself. very well positioned for many of the places you want to see. please don't lose Rye - it is quintessentially english and there's lots to see [Romney Marsh, Great Dixter, Bodiam, Winchelsea, Sissinghurst?] nearby. why don't you stay at Gravetye at the end of the trip? - you could go from Windsor to Rye for a couple of days, then back to Gravetye which brings you closer to Heathrow for your return. |
ann ~ you are relentless ~ thanks for all you do!
I had thought about staying at Gravetye at the end of our trip but their "packages" (less money) are Sun - Thurs only. We expect to leave on Saturday, arrive on Sunday ~ or if we take a morning flight, we'll sleep at Heathrow Marriot Saturday night and be bright-eyed and bushy tailed on Sunday. I'll check out Hailsham Grange. Have found some others on the outskirts of Maidstone which look nice too. Or maybe I go back to Rye? It's only an hour from Goodnestone. Rye would be a good change from Gravetye. |
Oh yes - Great Dixter is a MUST . . . .
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janis ~ you think Great Dixter will be fun, even in March? I think of Christopher's herbaceous borders being in full swing in the summer, maybe not as much in early spring.
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