Any gardens that are a must to see in the Midlands and the Southeast of England? We will be there in April for 10 days. Thanks!

Well,this is probably 'way too obvious, but you know Kew Gardens in London is one of the finest in the world. In fact, just about ANY park in London matches or exceeds most of the rest of the world's gardens. I'm think particularly of James park by Buckingham. Speaking of London, if you want to see a garden gone wild, stroll around Highgate cemetery which is worth a trip to the City by itself.(Archway Underground stop, ask a local for directions)

Sissinghurst in Kent (SE England) is famous for its gardens. I did a search here on "Sissinghurst" and got 18 responses, including questions on spring garden tours, so it should give you all the information you want.

Fodors <BR> <BR>Dear Ms Mueller, <BR> <BR>Two weeks ago I answered a query by an American lady who had selected a number of gardens in Kent. I liked her selection, so here it is. She asked about transport, and I've left in this transcript my notes on trains and busses. She began by asking where to make a base. I wrote <BR> <BR>"After some mapmaking I think that you should take a base at Tonbridge, itself a pleasant town. You are then in the heart of commuter Kent, so trains run in all directions every half hour. West of you will be Edenbridge station for Hever Castle, and Penshurst station. South west of you will be Tunbridge Wells for Groombridge Place and Scotney Castle. East of you will be Headcorne for Sissinghurst. North east of you will be Maidstone Barracks for Leeds Castle. North west of you will be Sevenoaks, for Knole and Ightham Mote." <BR> <BR>The website http://www.ngs.org.uk covers the National Gardens Scheme for England and Wales, and includes a Garden Finder: you select by county and by date. <BR>If you enter "Gardens" on http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/themes.htm you get an alphabetical list of National Trust properties with good gardens. <BR>The English Heritage page on gardens on http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...x.asp?mkey=145 shows selected houses and castles with good gardens, thogh you have to use the link on most buildings to find what county they're in. <BR> <BR>April is a touch early for Engish gardens outside Cornwall, and you'll find more in bloom in the South East than in the Midlands. But if you start with the garden finder you'll have hints as to when gardeners think their place is at its best, since under the scheme each garden opens only a few days a year. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further -- though I'm no gardener. Welcome to our green and pleasant land. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

I'm also planning a trip to SE English gardens, primarily in Kent. Sissinghurst Castle supposedly is the premier garden, but other local highly recommended castles or houses with gardens include Hever, Penhurst, Leeds, Knole, Ightham Mote and Scotney. Great Dixter, in nearby Sussex, near Rye, is also considered one of the must see gardens. I've found info on most of them in http://www.southeastengland.uk.com/. Let me know if you need any specifics on any of them. <BR> <BR>Last year I visited London and enjoyed Hew Gardens, St James Park, and the gardens of Hampton Court Palace.

Jean, I am also going to the midlands and SE England in April. A garden excursion in the Midlands that is on my list starts in Cheltenham -- the town is supposed to have lovely public gardens -- then along the B4632 to Sudeley Manor, and further along to Kiftsgate and Hidcote Manor, which are almost next to one another. I have not done this itinerary (has anyone else?) but found it in a guidebook that has done well by me in the past (wish I could remember the title!). I am also really looking forward to Stourhead, which is in Wiltshire, I believe -- it is more a designed landscape with ponds, views, etc. rather than a collection of specimen plants, so should be interesting even if it's a late spring.

Thank You to everyone for the great information regarding the gardens!