Missed out on tickets to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show? As the prestigious show returns to London for the next few days, we've rounded up seven other gardens throughout Europe that are filled with beautiful blooms and grounds to explore.
Helmsley Walled Garden, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Nestled at the foot of the North York Moors, the Helmsley Walled Garden was built in 1758, originally designed to provide vegetables, fruit and flowers to the Feversham family in Duncombe Park. After becoming overgrown in the 80s, local Lady Alison Ticehurst decided to restore the grounds, transforming it into a place of 'horticultural therapy' for those in need. Today it's a popular tourist attraction, providing a tranquil space for visitors enjoy a variety of flora and fauna throughout the year.
Opening times: 1st April - 31st October, 10:00am – 5:00pm. Price: £7.50 for adults, children under 16 get in for free.
Biddulph Grange, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Designed by James Bateman and Edward William Cooke, the Biddulph Grange Garden will take you on a picturesque journey from an Italian terrace to an Egyptian Pyramid, via a Himalayan glen and Chinese-inspired garden. Surviving the great age of Victorian gardening, this ancient oasis came about thanks to plant-hunters who spent years collecting shrubs, bushes, and flowers from all over the world. Ongoing restorations means there is always something new to see, with each garden separated by enchanting hedges, beautiful banks, and interesting rock work.
Opening times: Now – October, 11:00am – 5:30pm Wednesday to Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays. Price: £8.63 for adults, £4.31 for children.
Photo: Flickr
Hotel Bloom, Brussels, Belgium
Aptly named, Hotel Bloom in Belgium is tucked away next door to Brussels' Le Botanique, a culture centre with carefully cut hedges and mesmerising greenery, once the orangery of the city's National Botanic Garden. Scattered with historical statues, these charming grounds are home to a busy schedule of concerts, offering music lovers the perfect venue to soak up the sounds and sites of this charismatic city.
Opening times: Hotel Bloom is open all year – Book through secretescapes.com, who offer up to 70% off luxury deals on lots of venues similar to this.
Chateau Villandry Gardens, Loire Valley, France
Built in the early 1500s, the Chateau de Villandry is one of the last standing Loire Chateaux of the Renaissance period. These gorgeous gardens cover nine hectares, with four different terraces. These include Jardin du Soleil' (sun garden); the 'Jardin d'Eau' (water garden), with pretty ponds and effervescent fountains; 'potager decoratif' (decorative vegetable garden) and the 'Jardin d'Ornament' (ornamental garden), an Instagrammers dream, offering perfectly symmetrical clipped boxes filled with an array of colourful flowers depending on the time of year.
Opening times: Between 9:00am – 6:30pm (depending on the month). Prices: £5.60 for adults, £4.30 for children.
Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto, Pallanza, Italy
Hidden away on the western shore of Lake Maggiore in Pallanza, these magnificent grounds contain over 20,000 plant varieties, with 300 types of dahlias alone! Created by Scotsman Captain Neil McEarcharn, the gardens were created with an English style in mind, to remind him of back home.
One of the more significant areas includes the 'Valetta' or 'Little Valley', boasting terraced gardens, magical water lily and lotus ponds and ornamental fountains using an irrigation system that draws water directly from the nearby lake.
Opening times: Now – end of October 2017, from 8:30am – 5:30pm (depending on the month). Prices: £8.60 for adults, £4.70 for children.
Edzell Castle and garden, Angus, Scotland
It is no wonder this majestic walled garden has been dubbed as one of Scotland's most unique sites. Created all the way back in 1604, the delightfully formal garden is scattered with sculptured stone panels, quaint flower boxes, and miniature nooks made specifically for nesting birds. Inquisitive visitors can explore the original summer house, as well as the 16th century tower house and ancient family burial vault.
Opening hours: Now – 30th September, Monday – Sunday from 9:30am – 5:30pm. Prices: £6.00 for adults, £3.60 for children.
Photo: Flickr
The Cervantes Rose Garden, Barcelona, Spain
Abloom with 15,000 roses and occupying over four hectares of land, the Cervantes Rose Garden is perched on top of the San Pedro Martir Hill in Spain, featuring flowers from all over the globe. With a selection of quaint paths to choose from, nature lovers could spend an entire day learning about the history and origin of each and every bush. The largest variety of roses stem from Asia, where you’ll find classic, ancient, and brand spanking new species amongst the bunch.
Opening times: All year, from 10:00am until 7:00pm (depending on the month). Entry is free.
Photo: Lameva
