� IN FOCUS l GARDENS & COUNTRY HOMES


National Trust rings the changes with bluebells


National Botanic Garden of Wales grows the future


National Trust properties across the UK are promoting the carpets of bluebells that can be seen in their gardens during April and May each spring.


Some of the most popular


sites include Thorncombe Woods in Dorset – behind the cottage that was the birthplace of author and poet Thomas Hardy – while the bluebell display is the highlight of spring at Hardcastle Crags, Yorkshire. Godolphin in Cornwall is


famous for its bluebell display, and has a festival which includes guided walks (April 16-May 20).


In East Anglia, the Blickling


Estate in Norfolk is said to be one of the best places to see bluebells in the country. The estate’s Blue Festival (April 19-May 19) will see the house lit up in blue at night. nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/ bluebell-woods-near-you


Durham gardens go for growth


Two historic properties with gardens are partnering with trade specialists Steve Reed Tourism Ltd to woo group travel organisers and tour planners. Crook Hall and Gardens


(pictured) in Durham City is inviting tour planners to visit on April 16 to see the unveiling of its new groups service called The Crook Hall Group Exclusive. Wynyard Hall in the Tees Valley is partnering with Crook Hall by holding a garden party and hosting


32 TravelGBI | March 2018


The National Botanic Garden of Wales has started a five-year project to champion Welsh horticulture, protect wildlife and extol the virtues of growing plants. Called Growing the Future, it is a pan-Wales programme that will see seven new jobs created at the Botanic Garden in Carmarthenshire. The project has received £2.3 million of funding and it follows the Botanic Garden’s successful Growing the Future pilot scheme. Dr Natasha de Vere, head of science at the attraction, is leading the project. She said: “Gardens and gardening are part of our way of life and have an incredible amount


to offer in terms of health and fitness, as wildlife habitats and as places to secure our food supply.” Courses, festivals, activities


Brogdale blossoms with Japanese festival


Brogdale Collections near Faversham in Kent will celebrate its own Hanami Festival – the Japanese festival of blossom – on April 14. With the largest collection of


fruit trees in the world, Brogdale blossom is an impressive sight. The festival includes a Japanese-themed exhibition, performances, food tastings and activities for children. There will also be Hanami picnic


experiences and blossom tours throughout the month of April.


Other events include Easter


at Brogdale (March 30-April 1); Strawberry Fair (June 10); Cherry Fair (July 15); Plum Day (August 12); Artisan Cider Festival (August 25-26); Pear Day (September 16); National Apple Festival (October 13-14); and Christmas at Brogdale (December 2). brogdalecollections.org


on the banks of the River Wear and surrounded by six acres of gardens. Maggie and Keith Bell have been the owners of Crook Hall and Gardens since 1995. Keith said: “We’ve improved what


we offer to groups over recent years – for example, we now have the superb Garden Gate Cafe to help provide an extra service to our visitors.” Steve Reed, owner of Steve Reed


tour planners overnight on April 15. Crook Hall and Gardens is a 13th Century Grade I listed building, set


Tourism, added: “Crook Hall is very much a ‘hidden gem’ in what is one of England’s most spectacular and beautiful cities.” stevereedtourism.co.uk crookhallgardens.co.uk wynyardhall.co.uk


w Arundel flowers mark 950th anniversary


Arundel Castle in West Sussex will celebrate its 950th anniversary with floral displays and its first Spring Plant Fair (April 29). The annual Tulip Festival will be bigger than before with more than 60,000 tulips in the


gardens throughout April arundelcastle.org.


w Harrogate show trials trip finder service


Harrogate Flower Show is piloting a Trip Finder web page to help visitors find coach companies planning to run excursions to its shows. It lists companies intending to run trips to the flower show by county and town, and includes contact numbers. Harrogate Spring Flower Show (April 26-29) is at the


Great Yorkshire Showground. flowershow.org.uk


travelgbi.com


and special events are planned to highlight these areas and showcase Welsh horticultural produce. botanicgardens.wales


NEWS IN BRIEF


©Julia Claxton


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48