Private Tours of Tregothnan.....

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Tregothnan, near Truro in Cornwall is an amazing private estate with beautiful historic botanic garden, arboretum and tea garden. Home to the Boscawen family since 1335, the Estate is internationally known as the home of English tea. Inspired by a tradition stretching back generations, they began supplying England’s first and only tea in 2005, although Tregothnan is believed to be the first place to grow ornamental Camellias outdoors almost 200 years earlier.

As well as growing English tea, the land also allows them to produce sustainable coppiced charcoal, Manuka honey and Kea plum jam.Tregothnan is an amazing place to visit and is open for private garden tours with a delicious cream tea in the 19th century summerhouse, for pre-booked groups only. The qualified Blue Badge guide, Alison Cameron will act as your chaperon, discussing the fascinating history of the garden, its impressive plant collections and exciting plans for the future. The tea garden is included in the walk around, an authentic “piece of Darjeeling”. There is plenty of convenient parking at the woodyard. This private botanic garden and arboretum is unequalled offering a diversity of rare plants and trees, sweeping vistas and peaceful secluded groves. The traditional parts of the garden are impressive yet there is always something new and exciting to enjoy. Everywhere there are lovely views over the Estate and surrounding countryside. Visits are arranged by appointment only and may be taken at 10am or 2pm, Monday – Friday.

☎01872 520000. www.tregothnanshop.co.uk

Delight Your Groups at Ness.....

Ness Botanic Gardens in Wirral is a place of truly rare delights. Not only is it a world-class botanic garden, with collections which include extraordinarily rare specimens, it is a place with an atmosphere uniquely its own.Ness was created over 100 years ago by a philanthropic plant hunter who shared his garden freely with whoever arrived at his gate. Today, that generous sense of sharing is still so evident that it only takes one visit in order to fall in love with Ness for ever. Its 64 acres offer so many things - plant trails, bird watching, a water garden, rock garden, a picture-perfect potager, woodland, wildflower meadow, stunning views across the Dee estuary to Snowdonia... and a fascinating history. And nowhere will you find ropes to keep you at bay, signs to warn children off the grass or a wish generally to keep visitors in their place.At Ness, you can wander freely or enjoy an expert’s guided tour. There are places to picnic, an excellent cafe, a newly-opened shop (packed with original stock), rare seed on sale, an amazing events calendar, wheelchair-friendly routes, organic produce on sale - and the nicest, most helpful staff. Last year, for the first time, Ness played host to the prestigious BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time Summer Garden Party. The team were so captivated by the place that they asked to come back again this year - a quite unprecedented accolade from this sought-after national BBC radio show.So the Ness cat is well and truly out of the bag, as far as the garden-visiting cognoscenti goes... We can be sure the rest won’t be far behind!
Check the website for all event details - and don’t miss the chance to join GQT at Ness in September...
www.nessgardens.org.uk