Kew Gardens and the much smaller Chelsea Physic Garden in London are perennially popular spots on the tourist radar but great gardens can be found in other sections of the country as well. In fact, here are some of our favorite gardens to see in the southern portion of the United Kingdom.
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The Eden Project. Located approximately 1.2 miles from the town of St. Blazey, this 15-year-old Cornish garden was constructed in a former kaolin pit. The Tropical and Mediterranean gardens found here are housed in large bio domes which resemble large, plastic balls. However, plants that can survive the local climate can also be found outside the walls. Admission to the Eden Project is £25 for adults and less for children, seniors, and families. Discounts are available for those who book in advance. Combined tickets with the nearby Lost Gardens of Heligan can also be arranged at a cheaper rate.
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RHS Garden at Wisley. This spot is the headquarters for the Royal Horticultural Society and, as such, it is the second most popular garden in the entire country. The extensive grounds here feature glass houses, historic buildings, a large arboretum, and model gardens that show people what they can do with similar materials on their own properties. Other points of interest at this location include the alpine, vegetable, and rose gardens as well as the fruit field and the plant testing grounds. Admission here costs £13.00 for adults. Discounts are available for children, groups, and folks arriving by either bicycle or public transport. Audio guides can also be rented for an additional fee.
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Bodnant Garden. This Welsh garden near the town of Tal-y-Cafn was the result of several generations’ worth of work by one family who handed over the reins to the British National Trust shortly after the end of the Second World War. New areas have since been added to the grounds in the past few years. Featured attractions here include the Laburnum Arch, the Winter Garden, and the remarkable Champion trees. The grounds also have a sizeable collections of magnolias, rhododendrons, and other types of trees. Admission prices are currently at £11.25 for adults and £5.63 for little ones. Cheaper tickets are available for large groups or visitors that come during the winter months.
If the prospect of visiting gardens on your trip to the United Kingdom interests you, why not check out the Great British Gardens website for even more information on the subject?
Sources: Marie Claire, The Independent, Gardens Illustrated, Wikipedia, Wikitravel, The Eden Project, Royal Horticultural Society, The National Trust
