The Most Beautiful Gardens in England

Sprawled across England are some of the world's most spectacular designer gardens. From the centuries old to the modern to the otherworldly, these gardens are guaranteed to thrill seasoned gardeners to the average traveler alike.

If you are planning to visit Europe especially England, don't miss the chance to go to any of these gardens.

LEVENS HALL

Levens Hall has the finest, and oldest, topiary in England. This award-winning garden has winding paths which are flanked by yew, box hedges, and flowers such as tulips. The trees are all cut into fantastic, painstakingly maintained shapes. On the estate are also an ornamental vegetable garden, a tea shop, a historic house open for viewing and worth a visit on its own, and a park dating back to medieval days that is home to black deer and a rare breed of horned goat. While the topiary garden is formal and clean cut, the park is undeniably about the beauty of pure nature and provides a pleasant contrast.

THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN

Decades old and sadly forgotten after the Second World War, it was only in the last part of the 20th century that Heligan made its revival into the sprawling botanical gardens there today. Its 200 acres are divided into four parts; The Northern Gardens, the Jungle, the Wilder Estate, and Horsemoor Hide & Wildlife Project.

The Northern Gardens are the original gardens restored to their former glory and contain fruit, historic flowers, garden accessories, and a grotto hidden amongst the ferns. The Jungle section follows a raised boardwalk among ponds and tropical plants. Hidden in Wilder Estate are flocks of horn sheep, tranquil lakes, and sculptures hidden in the plant life. There is also a restaurant on the estate, meaning the Lost Gardens of Heligan is easily made into a day-long excursion.


SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN

Well loved in the UK is Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Watched over by the National Trust, the garden is divided into enclosed sections or "rooms". The famous White room has all white flowers year round and in the distance you can see Sissinghurst Tower. Other areas include a rose, cottage, and herb garden in addition to the Orchard, the Lime Walk, and the Nuttery. Wandering through each cosy, enclosed room is a romantic, intimate experience.

This list was gathered by the book experts from Lovereading.co.uk.

Europe Garden and Plant Shows to Visit in 2011

Nature lovers who are traveling in Europe in 2011 will find garden and plant shows to visit all year long throughout Europe.

1) International Violet Meeting, Toulouse, France

Toulouse is known as the world capital of violets. The “pink city” is hosting the International Violet Meeting on February 5 and February 6. Botanists, scientists and violet growers from all over the world will come to the city to share their knowledge. People who have no professional connection to the world of violets will still get a lot from this show. There will be exhibitions and other attractions centered around flowers. Admission to the show is free. If you don’t want to stop there, you should pair the International Violet Meeting with a trip to Paris. Simply book a cheap hotel in Paris (central) and a sightseeing tour of Paris and you’ll feel like you’ve seen natural and man-made beauty in your visit to France.

2) Holland Flowers Festival, Zwaagdijk-Oost, The Netherlands

Flower lovers can see many more types of flowers if they travel to the Netherlands for the Holland Flower Festival from February 23 to February 27. The show’s venue will be filled with hundreds of kinds of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, narcissi, irises and crocuses. Early bird tickets and group discounts are available for this show

3) Wicklow Gardens Festival, County Wicklow, Ireland

Travelers who want to see gardens in Ireland have a great opportunity to do so during the Wicklow Gardens Festival from April to September. The gardens that can be visited during the festival are not usually open to the public. Ireland’s Heritage Properties are also on display during the festival. Houses and gardens all over County Wicklow can be visited during the festival. Visitors can see Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford and then travel north to see the Powerscourt House and Gardens in Enniskerry. Travelers who go west from Enniskerry will come to Russborough House and its gardens.

4) Malvern Autumn Garden & Country Show, Malvern, Worcestershire, England

This show in September marks the end of the gardening year and the approach of autumn. Representatives from more than 100 nurseries will have displays here.

5) Floralies Internationales, Geneva, Switzerland

There are still garden and plant shows to visit in Europe as winter approaches. The Floralies Internationales from November 14 to November 23 is held inside the Palexpo Exhibition Centre. The temperatures outside will be between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit but the floral arrangements by exhibitors from all over the world will make it seem like spring inside the Exhibition Centre.

Nature lovers will likely find a plant or garden show to visit in most European countries no matter what time of year they travel to Europe.