Suggestions on Gardens to visit in England and Ireland.

[fermi de Sousa]

G'day y'all
Will and I are staying in Prague after the conference and are then travelling to the UK on May 13.
We're trying to short-list the gardens we can visit in the space of 9 days in England.
We're booked into a guest house in Hasting for the first 3 days and will try to get to Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and Dungeness - any suggestions for other places of interest while we are in the area?
We'll then drive across to see Iford Manor - suggestions on where to stay and what else to do?
We fly out of Birmingham on May 22 for Dublin and plan to get to the Burren and then visit a few Forumists while we are in the neighbourhood
Suggestions about where to stay near the Burren would be appreciated,
cheers
fermi

[Helen Johnstone]

There is Cothay Manor and Hestercombe resonably easy from Bath.  Up country from there and probably 1.5 - 2 hrs from Bath are Hidcote and Kiftsgate over the road from each other so easy in one day, there is all Sezincote and Mill Dean Gardens in that area.

I think Nymans is near Hastings but I dont know that area at all.  Also Arundel Castle has had a new garden built in recent years, quie exotic looking but I havent seen it in real life

[ashley]

Suggestions about where to stay near the Burren would be appreciated,

Fermi, I'd suggest using Ballyvaughan (various hotel/B+B options) as a base if you have a car.  A lovely time for the Burren.  Have a good trip.

[Gerry Webster]

I think Nymans is near Hastings but I dont know that area at all.  Also Arundel Castle has had a new garden built in recent years, quie exotic looking but I havent seen it in real life

In addition to Nymans; High Beeches, Borde Hill &  Wakehurst Place (the southern branch of Kew). All quite close to each other & an easy drive from Hastings.

[David Nicholson]

Wish you well in Hastings Fermi, I went once and it was closed or at least it appeared to be

[Maggi Young]

Wish you well in Hastings Fermi, I went once and it was closed or at least it appeared to be

 I think they had trouble there with visitors in the past, David- it's likely made them over cautious.......

[David Nicholson]

I think they had trouble there with visitors in the past, David- it's likely made them over cautious.......

Maybe it was the time the pies were delivered?

[Margaret]

Hi Fermi

I agree with Gerry about Nymans and Wakehurst Place but maybe you would also like to consider the Cornish Gardens. May is early in the year for our typical English herbaceous borders whereas the Cornish gardens with magnolias, camellias etc will be looking great. You might want to have a look at gardenvisit,com to see if they appeal.

I sometimes go to Cottesbrooke Hall (for the annual Plant Fair  ) and fit in a visit to the very lovely Coton Manor which is only a few miles away. I know it's Northamptonshire but you will be on your way to Birmingham!!

Margaret

[Helen Johnstone]

I sometimes go to Cottesbrooke Hall (for the annual Plant Fair  )
Margaret

Is the plant fair on  this year, I cant find any publicity an they ae usually very good at publicity 

[Maggi Young]

Is this what you mean? Cottesbrooke Gardeners’ Fair  next year – 28th, 29th and 30th June 2013


http://www.cottesbrooke.co.uk/gardeners-fair/blog/Cottesbrooke-Gardeners-Fair-2012---a-picture-story/47.html

Edit : 8th April - The Cottesbrooke Fair will NOT take place in 2013

[Helen Johnstone]

Yes and I have looked for that time and again and not found it 
Will have to miss it as will be in San Francisco 

[Maggi Young]

They had it pretty well hidden 
Perhaps they just didn't want to disappoint you because you can't go 
- reckon San Francisco is a good swap though.......

[Margaret]

Well done, Maggi, I searched and couldn't find any info either.

Helen there is the Spring Plant Fair at Great Comp this Sunday 14th at 11.00.  They do good cakes in the cafe as well as tempting plants!

[Helen Johnstone]

I'm still not convinced it is going ahead - Cottesbrooke as they normally have a webpage and promote it and some nurserymen were quering it a while ago.

[fermi de Sousa]

Thanks for all the suggestions!
We'll start plotting where we can go to be able to see as many as possible.
cheers
fermi