Visiting Gardens Again? Here is How To Keep Safe

Designed by the legendary “Capability” Brown, the 42-acre castle gardens at Sherborne are a stunning example of his craft. This Grade 1 listed garden was one of Capability Brown’s first commissions. Using Sherborne Old Castle as his backdrop, he designed the lake in 1753 and reshaped the Pleasure Gardens in 1776, creating the gently rolling landscape we see today. An RHS partner garden, there is something to see all year round – from the spring bulbs to the autumn colours reflected in the lake. **Important:** Contactless entry is available with Candide tickets and we ask everyone to adhere to social distancing guidelines on site. [More details](http://www.sherbornecastle.com/).

Woods, orchards, and cultivated gardens are nurtured using age-old skills at The Newt in Somerset. Close to artistic Bruton, this large working estate immerses visitors in the tranquillity of nature. The world-class gardens at The Newt cleverly evoke different historic eras. Explore the Cottage Garden for a glimpse of Gertrude Jekyll’s famous landscaping style, and see the flowers that scented 19th century gardens in the Victorian area. The Cascade is a contemporary twist on traditional water features, and the Colour Gardens feature hellebores, astrantias and anemones inspired by garden designer Penelope Hobhouse. Her family home was The Newt’s Georgian manor Hadspen House – now a luxurious hotel. Once you’ve taken in the gardens and explored the woodland walkways, you can refuel at The Garden Café. Or, at the Cyder Press, sample the cider made from the estate’s 3,000 apple trees, perhaps enjoying a guided tour of the cellar and apple pressing demonstrations. Make sure to activate your Garden Membership on Candide, and return to The Newt as often as you like over the next 12 months. Accessibility Information All gardens areas are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though via indirect routes – often up thick lawns, steep gradients, uneven ground and gravelled pathways. For longer distances transport is available for those requiring assistance.

Kathy Brown’s Manor House Gardens at Stevington, just north of Bedford provides a garden destination with a very personal touch. Designed and cared for by Kathy and her husband Simon, over the last 30 years, this is a modern country 4.5 acre garden. Blossoms and bulbs are a treat in spring with white tree peonies and later beds of intersectional peonies a special delight. The wisteria and laburnum arches in mid May are beautifully underplanted with a sea of alliums, spires of foxgloves and generous groups of poppies. Roses clothe the house walls from May to July with many others covering the pergolas and romping through the trees. By then the wild meadows are rich with pollinators supping the scabious, knapweeds etc. The late flowering clematis begin to take centre stage with dreamy naturalistic gardens combining dainty grasses and colourful echinacea. This is a special time with art gardens based on Monet, Rothko, Matisse, Hepworth and Hokusai. The main borders exude colour with a raft of dahlias. Through August and September the orchard becomes rich with plums, apples and pears. Elsewhere topiary scenes provide special interest and there are major container displays including succulents and mossy kokedamas. This is a wonderful destination for all afternoon tea lovers. Depending on the timing, Kathy’s cakes are flavoured with rose petals or elderflower or marigolds or lavender all growing in the surrounding flower borders. Tea is normally taken on the lawn, but if weather is windy or wet, then tea is served in her beautiful dining room and conservatory. A small shop offers Stevington Garden cards, and Kathy’s cake recipe cards, china mugs, and her gardening books including ‘Edible Flower’£7 and ‘Painting with Nature’, a fantastic guide regarding the Manor House Garden £5. Voted as the Regional Winner in the East among the Nation’s Favourite Top Gardens in a competition involving the National Garden Scheme and The English Garden Magazine.