Plan a London Vacation around the great Gardens of Britain

Day Trips to Historic Gardens Offer the Best of Great Britian

Every gardener owes a debt to the great gardens of Britain. These monumental achievements are the result of a culture that breathes botanical terms. Everyday garden conversations are based in the Latin botanical genus and variety.

Rosemary Verey wrote "A Countrywoman's Year" which gives insight into the routine tasks and observations that shaped her world. It could have been written by any avid gardener, so mundane were the tasks. Verey, however, was one of England's greatest horticultural teachers
and in viewing common tasks she elevates these through her exceptionally strong ties to the land around her. It is this steady, workman-like approach to gardening that makes the British version of gardening so all inclusive and universally reverent towards British horticultural history. From such a large base, truly extraordinary figures were nurtured and received widespread support.

Most British Gardens open to the public sometime in March or very early April and continue receiving guests until November. Opening dates do vary, so check each individual garden that you add to your itinerary. Also be sure to confirm the days of the week each garden is open. A detailed guide for the logistics of London travel is available. With the addition of a rental car, you are ready for a visual learning experience that is unique to Britain. The key is to arrange for lodging that provides parking.

Take the time to communicate with the gardens you wish to visit. The most memorable tour was conducted by Tintinhull's head gardener, our personal guide on an otherwise questionable rainy day because we had written ahead and communicated our schedule.

One easily accessible grouping of historic British gardens is the National Trust. Hundreds of properties throughout Britain are maintained under this umbrella foundation. Yearly memberships run £39.58 as an internet discount off the regular £47.50 for those 26 to 59 years old. Older and younger age groups save about £30. If you plan on visiting more than five National Trust sites, yearly membership is the way to go. It allows for a last minute inclusion of neighboring properties at no additional expense. Since this website is location based, including extra stops can be easily planned. The following is a short list of notable British Gardens. All make perfect day trip destinations from a London base.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Near Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB
A National Trust garden

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is the creation of Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson. A noted and prolific writer, Sackville-West described her 25 favorite flowers in "Some Flowers" originally written in 1937. There is a 1993 version where the original black and white photos have been replaced with the artistic watercolors of Graham Rust. Known for the theme based "rooms" where tall hedges serve as walls, Sissinghurst is a must see. Sissinghurst opens March 15 and entry is £8.80.

Tintinhull Garden
Farm Street, Tintinhull, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8P2
A National Trust Garden

Tintinhull's gardens surround a 17th century mansion. It is considered a jewel of a small garden with intimate borders and water features. Keep in mind this is small as defined by British standards. There is a kitchen garden included which elevates the level of design one might consider when planning your home kitchen garden. Entry is £5 and Tintinhull opens March 15.

Great Dixter
Northiam, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6PH

Dixter was acquired by Nathanial Lloyd in1909. The central house was a mid 15th century original which was joined by architect Edwin Lutyens with another similarly styled 16th century that had been moved from Kent. This medieval style manor house with thatched style roofs, was then renamed Great Dixter. Nathanial's son, Christopher Lloyd, "Christo", is credited for the recognition in recent times, often because of his popularity in television and as a writer. His book, "The Cottage Garden", is filled with pictures of the gardens surrounding Great Dixter. The most memorable Great Dixter features are the giant, immaculately trimmed topiaries, which are both strictly geometric and whimsical at the same time. Often small topiary animals like birds top the larger, simple base shapes. Great Dixter has a modern, clean website with an especially nice monthly diary, the online version of that centuries old garden diary tradition. Entry is £8.80 and opening is April 1.

Barnsley House
Near Cirencester in Gloucestershire GL7 5EE

Barnsley house was called home by one Britain's most loved writers, Rosemary Verey. Her attention to natural elements and nature's rhythms guided all her design decisions. Since her death, Barnsley house has evolved into a destination hotel, spa, and restaurant located
only 90 minutes outside of London. Reservations are available for lunch and a garden tour ranging from £29 before and after summer season to £49 during summer.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is located 20 minutes by train from central London on 300 acres in Southwest London along the Thames. Celebrating its 250 year anniversary, Kew is a place full of superlatives. With numerous historic buildings including Kew Palace and the world's largest glass house there are three destination greenhouses: the Palm House, the Temperate House, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory. For years, Kew displayed an exclusive group of Henry Moore sculptures, the most memorable outside the Palm House. This exhibit closed in 2008 and is scheduled to re-open in Atlanta this spring. Kew is open year round and entry is £13.

Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Garden Show

For those traveling in late May you can add the garden event of the year: The Royal Horticulture Society's (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. 2009 dates are from the 19th to the 22nd of May. Months ahead of time some events begin to sell out so be sure to book your tickets online to insure availability. They will run £43 for all day to £24 for the afternoon. The displays are unlike anything seen in America. Large, constructions of fantastical gardens only exist for Chelsea's 4 day run. This is extreme gardening - extremely opulent and extremely over the top.