Gardens are the nearest impression of paradise - the colours, scents and mystery of nature re-ordered and designed by the wit and hand of mankind.

The best gardens are places to enjoy the glory of nature. There are some magnificent gardens around, sorely under-visited and real gems to be discovered. There are so many types of garden, too - formal gardens in the French style, natural gardens in the English fashion, harmonious parks in the traditions of India, China and Japan. The juxtaposition of flowers and plants, rocks and streams, trees and grasses - each grouping can enhance the sum of the parts. Gardens are havens of peaceful tranquility. And yet.. they are home too to an explosive variety of life, their mini-ecosystems beavering away according to the mysterious and unstoppable ways of nature. It's easy to get carried away...

On a practical note gardens need no instruction or introduction beyond their own beauty, but if you're a real gardening fan you might like to visit in a guided group in order to find out more about the plants grown and how you can replicate your favourite elements of the garden in your own backyard.

Experts in Gardens:  Donna Dawson,  Marty Wingate,  Steven Desmond,  Tony Sissons,  Kent Ross,  Tom Turner,  James Alexander-Sinclair,  Veronica Sliva,  Ted Harper,  Emile Harridan

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