I will be taking my Holiday in England this coming May. I usually visit in April when the last of the primroses and violets are in bloom so the countryside should be a bit different. I love gardens and will be staying a week in the North Yorkshire Dales and then a week in Dorset at the end of the month. What is in bloom during mid may to the first of June? Are there any particular gardens that are best seen this time of year in these areas?

Skyeval - Will you have a car? Can't help you with Yorkshire, but while you're down south the two not to miss are:

- STOURHEAD in Wiltshire
- EXBURY GARDENS in Hampshire (New Forest)

Both are at their best in late May/June.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

The earlier part of your visit should be the perfect time of year for bluebells in one or the other place - but you would need to ask locally where the best woods might be to see them.

Yes, we will have a car. We will be in Yorkshire mid May and Dorset at the end of May. Will the bluebells still be in bloom at the end of May? If so, that would be wonderful. Any other wildflowers to look for? Thanks!

I'm no expert but I suggested bluebells because there's nothing like them if you can find them in a proper 'drift' (usually in woodland). Late May might be too late in Dorset, but mid May in Yorkshire might be about right - the trouble is it can be a fairly short season (a couple of weeks or so at their peak) which gets earlier and earlier with a warming climate.

Could be worth a look at these garden finder sites:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trav...rdenfinder.cfm
http://www.ngs.org.uk/search1.htm