Castle Kennedy GardensLocation: 3 miles east of Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway
Opening times: April-Sept (check
www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk )
Admission: Free to RHS members. Also accept BBC 2 for 1 voucher. Otherwise check on website. £4 per adult.
Owners: The Earl and Countess of Stair
Facilities: Good licensed cafe, shop and plant sales.
Gardens: The gardens are situated between two natural lochs, and extend to over 75 acres of landscaped terraces and avenues. Next to the ruined 16th century Castle Kennedy is a romantic herbaceous walled garden and at the other end of the isthmus is Lochinch Castle. The gardens contain many champion trees as well as extensive collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and ‘forests’ of monkey puzzle trees. There is also a 2 acre round pond bubbling with water-lilies and a large pinetum
Information: Illustrated guide book (£2); free garden maps; Champion tree trail available.
Contact details:
www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk Telephone: 01776 702024/01581 400225
Email:
info@castlekennedygardens.co.ukHenderson Rating: 4/5
Well worth a visit, especially for students of designed landscapes (Loudon) as well as those with a particular interest in azaleas, camellias, embothriums, eucryphias, magnolias and rhododendrons.
Some random photographs...
