Recommended RHS Gardens

RHS Gardens We Recommend

Whilst you are in the Midlands, why not visit some of the beautiful RHS Partner Gardens in the area? These idyllic and picturesque gardens are often set out in the countryside with little disturbance from nearby towns and built up areas. They are the perfect place to be inspired, relax and be enchanted by some of Britain’s most impressive gardens. The gardens are often part of country estates so you may even get a glimpse of the most spectacular houses in the country, which are a truly historic part of British heritage.

Mill Dene Garden

Mill Dene Garden is hidden in the Cotswolds 500 feet up, and surrounds an old water-mill. The mill pond area is behind the rest of the garden which rises up either side of the little valley. Kingfishers and trout (and the family Birman cats) live in this pond area. The garden has a tiny cricket lawn and pavilion, a rose walk and herb garden. There is evidence that this is based over a Saxon burial ground and with the church as a backdrop and the views over the hills, the atmosphere is very 'Cadfael'. The garden majors on peace, tranquillity and a relaxed English Country Garden style with plenty of colour and scent.

Open on various dates in April through to July, Wed-Fri. Please vist www.milldenegarden.co.uk or call 01386 700457

Mill Dene Garden,
Blockley,
Moreton-in-Marsh,
Gloucestershire,
GL56 9HU

Ragley Hall

Although Ragley’s 400 acres of parkland were designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown during the 18th Century, little is known about the gardens prior to 1873 when Victorian garden designer Robert Marnock created a formal flower garden, intended to show off plants discovered in the new world.

This area of the garden is now a modern Rose Garden, completed in 2009, with the new design based around diversity by taking away the majority of the grass and planting trees, shrubs and perennials to encourage insects. This naturalistic approach is demonstrated throughout the gardens which provide colour and interest throughout the year, with areas such as a Spring Bulb Bank, Prairie Garden and Alpine Garden.

Other attractions at Ragley include a Woodland Walk, which takes visitors around the surrounding Parkland and provides some wonderful views of the countryside, a collection of 19th Century carriages housed in the stables and, of course, the Palladian House itself.

Open from 19 Feb- 30 Oct, Sat & Sun, 10am- 6pm and weekdays during school holidays.

Ragley Hall,
Alcester,
Warwickshire,
B49 5NJ
www.ragleyhall.com

These gardens aren’t open all year round so take a visit and make the most of your summer with wonderful inspiration and tranquil settings!

Kelmarsh Hall & gardens

Despite the 18th century setting, the gardens at Kelmarsh Hall today are largely inspired by Nancy Lancaster who extended her interior style of ‘shabby chic’ charm into the gardens and drafted in the garden designer of her day, the talented Norah Lindsay, to help.

Another 20th century influence on the gardens is that of the landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe.  Although later a modernist, in his youth he was influenced by the gardens of the Italian Renaissance and at Kelmarsh, in the mid 1930s he set out the west terrace with its pleached limes and horse chestnut avenue down to the lake.

From sophisticated pastels through to the showier shades of the borders and the secret heart of the walled kitchen garden, Kelmarsh offers a retreat away from the bustle of the modern world.

“Abundance is all important... it is the ambience I look for in a garden with a touch of sadness and nostalgia.”  Nancy Lancaster 1897-1996

For opening times please check the website www.kelmarsh.com or call 01604 686543.