Top 6 gardens to visit

If you are staying in the area and love wandering around beautiful gardens, here are our top six to visit...

Hampton Court Gardens and Castle
Herefordshire, Hope under Dinmore – 40 minutes drive
A place you can spend all day. With its water canals, island pavilions, hedge maze, gothic tower, secret tunnels and hidden waterfall, it really is an enchanting place. Enjoy the ornamental kitchen garden, surrounded by original Victorian walls and sample its produce in the stunning Orangery Restaurant. A vast estate surrounds the garden and there are beautiful riverside walks passing ancient oaks, tiny wooden bridges and peaceful lakes.

Westonbury Mill Gardens
Leominster -  20 minutes drive
Here is a garden of surprise and delight. Fantastic follies, a dome made up of 5,000 coloured bottles, and gargoyles shooting water are just a few of the features to enjoy. Set in beautiful countryside with lakes and meadow areas, it will appeal to the whole family. It has a tearoom from which the world’s largest water-powered cuckoo clock can be heard singing on the hour!

Stocktonbury Gardens
Leominster, Kimbolton – 30 minutes drive
Situated at the heart of a working farm these gardens are surrounded by lovely views and cider orchards. The four acre garden is family run and home to a kitchen garden, water gardens, a medieval pigeon house and luscious borders. It runs some interesting courses through the spring and summer and has a cafe serving scrumptious food.

Croft Castle
Yarpole, Leominster – 20 mins drive
Sitting deep in the heart of Herefordshire countryside, Croft Castle is surrounded by 1500 acres of historic woodland, farm and parkland.
My favourite area is the walled garden complete with historic orchards, vineyard and 1908 glasshouse. The lakes, views and Iron Age Hill fort make this a place to easily wander around for hours. The castle is open and there is also a cafe, shop and play area.

Powis Castle and Garden
Welshpool - 50 minutes drive
This National Trust garden is steeped in history and character. With its Italian terraces, spectacular yew hedges and lavish herbaceous borders, it is the traditional garden lover’s paradise! It has a maze, two tea rooms and many walking routes around the estate. It is even open in the winter.

Hergest Croft Gardens
Kington – 15 minutes drive
This garden consists of four distinct gardens extending over 28 ha with more than 5000 rare trees and shrubs extending from spring blossom to brilliant autumn colour. Brilliantly coloured rhododendrons and azaleas up to 30 feet grow in the Azalea Garden and Park Wood. We haven’t been here for a few years but guests say it is well worth a visit when the rhododendrons are out.