Botanical Gardens and other beautiful gardens to visit

[Nachtvlinder]

I've been to a few (Cambridge, Leicester, Kew and a couple of RHS gardens) and I'm thinking of visiting Birmingham's botanic gardens. Is it worth seeing? I wasn't totally impressed with Kew when I compared it to Cambridge as that was my regular haunt for a number of years. The nearest one to me is Leicester but it's quite boring as in there aren't enough planting schemes/glasshouses that warrant another visit (I've been at different times of the year).

Is Birmingham well worth a visit? As I don't drive, I would be going by public transport so I don't find it easy to go to a private garden as they tend to be out of the way in the sticks.

I don't know the Birmingham Gardens.
Probably not what you'd call a botanical garden, but I wonder if you are near the Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland? Designed by Geoff Hamilton for BBC Gardeners World, and supposedly has the largest collection of individually designed gardens in Britain. This year is their 40th Anniversary. An interesting visit.

The orchid festival at Kew is worth seeing but need to pre book and on now. Not been to Birmingham one for 30 odd years then it was OK.

It's difficult to say if the Botanical Gardens are worth seeing because I don't know what will tickle your fancy! However you could make a weekend of it and see several attractions in one go which might make it worth while. The Botanic Gardens (B15 3TR), Winterbourne House (B15 2RT) and the sweet little Martineau Gardens (B5 7UG) are within a few miles of each other.

I don't find it easy to go to a private garden as they tend to be out of the way in the sticks.
Have you tried the National Gardens Scheme? I did a quick search and there are nearly 20 private gardens within five miles of the Botanic Gardens. They are only open a few days a year so you would have to plan, but it could be interesting. There are a bunch of them in Bournville (just down the road from Edgbaston) all opening on 02.07.23

As you don’t drive, it could make getting to some gardens difficult. In the summer Kelmarsh house, just outside Market Harborough, has pretty gardens open to the public.
Have you looked at local coach companies that might do day outings to botanical gardens and garden shows?

The number 23 and 24 bus drop right outside.

i like the botanical gardens in brum but have nothing to compare it to really. It’s only £7.50 so worth a visit just for that price.

best to go when they have their brass band events in the afternoon.it feels like you have a soundtrack 😂

Birmingham is fine but it’s not very large. I was going to suggest going along to visit the free museum in the city centre but it’s closed this year.

i haven’t been, but oxfords botanical garden is meant to be nice.

have you done wisley? I love their rock garden.

The Birmingham one is lovely but I'm not sure I'd make a special trip to them

The BBC Gardeners World Live exhibition is at the NEC in Birmingham from the 15th - 18th June this year, that would be worth a visit.

If you don't drive, then have a look in your area to see if there are any local coach tour companies. They often do day trips to botanical gardens and the like.

Chelsea Physic Garden is worth a visit if ever you’re in London.

Bodnant Garden in North Wales is amazing.

I was just thinking about Bodnant gardens. It’s probably tricky to get to but it’s absolutely incredible, we even saw a couple of Kingfishers.

Oxford's is lovely but a lot smaller than Cambridge. It's right by the river and you can watch punts going by.

Stourhead in Wiltshire is beautiful.

Re. The National Open Gardens Scheme - I have a long time ago for a couple of years. In my experience a lot of the ones I went to (as well as local events) were found to be not very interesting gardens and some of them used bedding plants to make them look more appealing. As a serious gardener, I wouldn't want to see those types of gardens and had wasted many trips visiting them, plus money too (£4-5 per garden now).

I have been to a few RHS ones when I had the opportunity to get lifts.

I've been to the Gardener's World NEC Show once when someone went too which I enjoyed.

Also been to the Eden Project which I found disappointing.

I had a rubbish then partner who told me that Barnsdale GC was too expensive, so we never went, sadly.

Have you looked at Trentham Gardens? You could catch the train then it's a bus or taxi ride.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are lovely - much nicer than the Eden Project IMHO

I also adore the Tremenhere Sculpture Gardens near Penzance - magical!

Lol this is my topic. There’s so many gardens! Agree Eden is atrocious. Next time your down that way go to the Lost Gardens of Heligan - it’s a must see.

Midlands way Trentham is a must see. Big perennial borders and quite a few designer names.

Coton Manor is lovely, although quite small. But has the detail of an old garden.

Boughton Grange is cotswolds but really something special.

There’s Hidcote manor as well.

Stone House Cottage is insane. It’s very small but a real plantswomans place. The lady who owns it positively bonkers in the best way. Her garden is mind boggling, you will look at a plant and think ahh Salvia, and no it will be an eryngium or something completely not what you would imagine. God knows how she found all these varieties. They are the kinds you can find random reference to in an old book or depths of the internet in a blog but never a decent picture. She also propagates to sale. Really interesting trip.

The rest are really planned trips so pick a place and I will let you know the gardens in the area. Planning a trip to Devon next. Want to see Wildside and The Garden House for the first time.

Oxford botanics is lovely. I also really enjoyed Glasgow botanics, and Edinburgh of course. Wisley is beautiful but a pain on public transport (although doable with planning) but I really dislike the new landscaping at the entrance - utterly charmless.

Highly recommended Wildside and the Garden House, @LemonSwan . We went to the former on a really hot day in June and it was like being in the Med. I haven't been for a few years so must go back to see what he's done since. The Garden House is stunning and there's something to see in every season. I wish I lived a bit closer.

Oh and if you do visit Trentham have a look at Biddulph Grange. Small and only a fraction of what it once was but a great example of what the Victorians could do when money was no object.

Thanks for the reccys.

@LemonSwan Last Oct. I went to see daughter in her new place in Devon (near Sidmouth) she took me to a garden place somewhere, but it had chucked it down and we didn't fancy looking around, other than checking out its very small nursery. I can't remember the name, but it was a good 20 mins from Branscombe. I shall be visiting again at some point later this year, so hopefully, I'll find another garden to go to.

Ooo even more excited now thank you 😊

Wisley now has a pre-bookable shuttle bus from Woking station, well worth using.

I love Harlow Carr which is easily accessible from Harrogate.