Holiday fun and enchantment in the garden
There’s plenty for families to see and do at RHS Recommended Gardens this summer.
Visit Compton Acres in Dorset between 26 July and 30 August for a fun wildlife hunt. Collect an adventure sheet and then set off in search of the creatures hidden throughout the 4ha gardens – balancing on branches, hidden near tumbling waterfalls and resting on the tips of the summer flowers. There are also garden quizzes and arts and crafts activities to try.
At Dalemain Mansion and Gardens in Cumbria, see if you can spot the 15ft-long earth and grass ‘giantess’ (pictured top) as she slumbers by one of the garden paths; or the box hedge dragon. Or visit the children’s garden where each plant has an animal in its name, such as foxgloves and catmint. Animal-shaped labels help youngsters to identify each plant.
Try one of the new family walks at Holker Hall and Gardens in Cumbria. Ask for a Garden Quest Sheet at the kiosk, which will guide you along pathways and through gates to discover features such as the ancient stone labyrinth and limestone grotto. For a longer walk, you can follow a trail through the beautiful local countryside, discovering the nearby villages of Cartmel and Flookburgh on the way.
See how many birds you can spot at Bluebell Arboretum in Derbyshire. In recent years, staff have been busy putting up nest boxes and creating log piles to attract insects for birds to feed on. This has attracted large numbers of wild birds, from finches and sparrows to tawny owls and – most recently – kestrels (above), who have taken up residence in an oak tree.
For more trails, visit Scampston Hall Walled Garden in North Yorkshire. Scamp the Mole’s Summer Discovery Trail helps younger children to explore the estate’s lakeside walk, with activities such as I Spy, drawing and a quiz. When finished, children can return their leaflet to the ticket office to claim their sticker prize.
There are more 'animals' to see at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens near Weymouth. Last year a giant English oak, dating from around 1840, blew down in a storm. Using the skills of Matthew Crab, a local chainsaw carver, the trunk has been transformed into a sculpture featuring charming wildlife and countryside scenes.
• Garden admission fees may apply. Please refer to the RHS Members' Handbook or Garden Finder for opening times and admission arrangements before you travel.