Surrey

18th Century designer 'Capability Brown' uniquely transformed the grounds of many South East country houses, particularly in Surrey and Sussex into 'structured' landscapes with wide views across lakes and parkland to vistas of planted trees. By the 1880's, garden designer Gertrude Jekyll had re-introduced plants and geometrical beds with clear boundaries between enclosures as part of the Arts and Crafts style.

Denbies Vineyard

A full range of high quality plants cultivated at the Denbies Kitchen Garden are available to visitors through the nursery. Converted farm buildings to the side of the visitor centre house the Kitchen Garden Centre and display the various seasonal plants on offer. Associated goods are also available, as well as advice on specialist products and growing methods. Vines, fruit fruits and herbs are a particular speciality. The Kitchen Garden Centre also stocks estate grown produce.
www.denbies.co.uk

Painshill Park, Cobham Surrey

Signs of Spring are appearing at Painshill's magnificent 18th century landscape as beautiful varieties of Snowdrops pop their delicate little heads out at the Mausoleum and Cascade. Daffodils are bursting through the parkland and our Egyptian Geese have given us the joy of seeing their cute little ducklings. During the coming months we are looking forward to traditional English Bluebells and the wonderful smell of wild garlic in the woods.

Throughout the Easter weekend you can have some fun when you hop from Folly to Folly around the Easter Bunny trail, enter our Egg Rolling Competition and if you're an egg-cellent roller win a prize! Then after all that excitement you can treat yourself to a light lunch or afternoon tea in the Hamilton tearoom.

All year long and whatever the weather there's always something to see and do at Painshill - so pop a note in your diary to visit us soon... Visit the website

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

Spring really is the season to visit RHS Garden Wisley, the garden awakens from winter and for the next few months plants take their turns to show their beautiful flowers providing visitors with display after display. Snowdrops are the first to arrive and are at their best in the Wild garden, crocus follow shortly as yellow and purple jewels carpeting areas in the garden.
Spring is also the time to start thinking about vegetable growing and on Saturday 8 March it is Vegetable Open Day. A free entry day for all visitors and a chance to meet some experts to learn how to grow all your own vegetables.
The daffodils start to flower in March and provide the biggest display of spring flowers. With swathes of daffodils of all kinds around the garden it is a sight not to be missed. The 21 March is Narcissus day and an opportunity to take a trail around the garden to see Wisley's daffodil collection.
The 29 & 30 April is the RHS Daffodil Show, an amazing display of daffodils from growers all over the country displaying some of the most unusual varieties of daffodil blooms. Blossom is the next big display and the acres of apple and pear blossom is a stunning sight on a sunny spring day. In contrast the rhododendrons and azaleas are bright, bold and loud and are the highlight of the year on Battleston Hill.
. Find out more about RHS Garden Wisley

Claremont Landscape Gardens

Visit the spectacular Claremont Landscape Garden in Esher this Spring to see our fantastic collection of Camellias on their very own "Camellia Terrace". Specimens such as "Alba Plena" and the "Princess Charlotte" with its intriguing multi coloured flowers adorn their beautiful hillside setting. Visit the garden on Saturday 29 March and meet representatives from the International Camellia Society who will be on hand to answer your gardening questions and to plant out more specimens.

Claremont is open to the public every day, except Mondays, from 10am until 5pm. Take a stroll in the sunshine around the lake and admire our fascinating landscape features such as the turfed amphitheatre and ha-ha. Our tea room is open from Wednesdays to Sundays and serves teas and coffees as well as sandwiches and hot lunches.

Find out more about Claremont Landscape Gardens

Busbridge Lakes

Busbridge Lakes, just 1.5 miles from Godalming on the Hambledon Road is designated as a Heritage No. 2a garden. There is plenty to see and explore in the 40-acre grounds; nature trails, three lakes, specimen trees, follies and grottoes, an amazing a variety of flora and fauna and 120 different species of ornamental waterfowl, pheasants, cranes and many other birds.

There is a well-stocked gift stall and light refreshments are available at the weekends and bank holidays with limited refreshments during the week.

2008 Opening dates 10.30am to 5.30pm:-

Easter 21st to 30th March
May Bank Holiday - 4th and 5th May
Spring Bank Holiday - 25th and 26th May
August - 17th to 25th August

Admission: adults £6.00, senior citizens £4.50, children (3 to 13) £4.00. Free parking, but owing to the free ranging birds, dogs are not allowed out of the cars.

For further information phone 01483 421955 or visit www.busbridgelakes.co.uk