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Best Garden to visit in may

helloitsbibbahelloitsbibba Posts: 1
in The potting shed
Hi everyone!

I am new to this forum and I have a question for you all. 

My Mum has her birthday towards the end of may and I’m looking for a garden to go to on her birthday to celebrate. We live in the Hampshire Area, Portsmouth. 

We have already been to a lot of gardens in Cornwall way, etc and a handful around the south such as Wisley etc but, I’m wondering if there are any other good gardens that would keep us busy the whole day.

I looked at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst but I’ve read that a lot of there attractions are closed for refurbishment- and if we were to go, I would kind of want all of the attractions open. I also read that it was also very overpriced and over rated which is disappointing as I really was keen on taking her here. Is this true? Any thoughts and opinions on Kew Gardens would be much appreciated.

I’m also looking for a garden that’s got a nice cafe/restaurant so we can stop for lunch as well as a nice garden center. 

Ideally nowhere further than sort of south London etc that kind of Mile radius.  

Any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I hope you can help!

liberty

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Kew is lovely but not cheap, and you'll want to go into all the glasshouses so if they're closed I'd leave it for another time. Everything else I know is out of your travel range, sorry.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited May 2021
    What about Mottisfont (National Trust) ? You have to pre book , but that should pass a good few hours.
    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Harold Hillier arboretum. Romsey.




  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Have you been to Abbotsbury Gardens? http://abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens/ 

    Exbury gardens - rhodos azaleas and a steam train ride - https://www.exbury.co.uk/ 


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    West Dean Gardens is fairly close to you - https://www.westdean.org.uk/gardens/opening-hours-and-admissions A forum member volunteers there @chicky and may be able to tell you more.

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Of Hilliers, Mottisfont and Exbury, I think Exbury would be better as a day out experience, judging by our previous visits to all three.
     Mottisfont is mainly about roses in the walled garden so okay for a few hours but I don't remember a cafe there. There were roses for sale.
    Hilliers was a trifle disappointing but that might have just been the weather that particular visit and although they have a large cafe/restaurant, it was absolutely packed.
    Exbury should have most of the rhodos and azaleas out in bloom in May, they have a nursery and a model railway around the extensive grounds which is fun and saves a lot of walking. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    West Dean is lovely (well I would say that, wouldn’t I 🤣).  Not sure what you mean by “attractions”, but it has two walled gardens - one an orchard, one a kitchen garden- a less formal Spring garden that curves around a river and about 16 Victorian glass houses.  It also has a very long pergola, and an arboretum to explore.  There is a cafe/restaurant that will be fully open by end of May, and a small plant centre.

    Next door (different operation, so a separate entrance fee) is the Weald and Downland museum.....a fascinating open air museum of houses through the ages.  It’s where they film the Repair Shop.

    Plenty to keep you occupied for a day .... and very close to Portsmouth 
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    Also, if you are prepared to travel a bit further afield the Great Dixter/Sissinghurst combo in East Sussex gets you two of the greatest English gardens in one day .....I’ve done it and it’s mind blowing 😆
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    If you get as far as the Great Dixter area, l'd also recommend Merriments .
    https://www.merriments.co.uk/
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