Once a private landscaped garden, Dunorlan Park is now an historically important and much-loved…read morepublic park. The Heritage Lottery Fund award of £2.1 million enabled the restoration of Dunorlan's historic features and improved access into and around the park. Having been to the park since childhood to feed the ducks, go on the boats or watch the fireworks i was initially concerned when the funding was given to restore the park and trees started to disappear and the park looked bare. However now that it has started to settle down it is clear that the improvements have been made and the park is a stunning place to take the kids, read a book,go for a run or just sit and stare into space. My kids love it so much now just i did as a child. One question where did the Swans go????

Excellent park, well looked after, great space, recommended.read more

Magical, mystical, fun, exciting! At least it is when you're a kid or you go with kids! Groombridge…read moreplace or the Enchanted Forest as it's better known is home to a pathway of exciting gardens, activities and hidden secrets! There are areas such as the dragon and dinosaur valley, the dark walk, the serpents lair and many other mythical areas to explore! Watch out because sometimes you might find a giant walking about! When I went here we were taken around some parts with a tour guide and he really brought the magic to life! There are also formal gardens at Groombridge place as well as some petting animals. It's a really great day out for the family and it won't cost you and arm and a leg either! I think it's about £9 for an adult now and of course less for children and senior citizens, you can also save by buying a family ticket! It's close to Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead so can be easily found. Enjoy!

I loved this beautiful set of lakes, they were absolutely magical. The springs that feed the Silent…read morePool (named so for how still, clear and beautiful it is) sit at the bottom end of the lake, and at the minute, you can't (aren't supposed to) go down to the end due to some subsidence on the path. I'm not saying I went down there anyway, but it's so amazing to see a natural spring. The water is a weird, blue colour and so crystal clear that you just want to dip your feet in, especially on a lovely warm day. It's an ancient, historic and oddly mythical lake. The only downside to me is that it's so small! It doesn't take twenty minutes to walk around it.

An idyllic destination a short drive from London, Painshill Park is a great place to spend a day…read moreenjoying the beauty of the English countryside. Created by the eccentric Charles Hamilton, the park was created as a "romantic landscape". Both organized and naturalistic, the park offers many vistas, perspectives and experiences. Created with a variety of follies dotting the landscape, the park offers panoramic views and interesting scenes. Views from the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent are breathtaking. While exploring the man-made grotto (which is currently undergoing renovation) you can't help but be in awe of Hamilton's vision while at the same time thinking "This guy must have been totally out there to build stalactites with lathe and plaster and then cover them in pieces of crystal!". Whether walking the grounds, bringing a blanket and a book and enjoying the solitude, Painshill Park is a wonderful place to visit. Be prepared to walk, as the park is large and very hilly. It's a good climb to the top of the Tower as well. Would definitely recommend this if you need a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of London.

A grade 1 listed park, much renovated over the last 25 years, by the trust that owns it…read more Created by Charles Hamilton ,in the mid 18th century, after his 2 (obligatory) Grand Tours, he wanted to create an idyllic natural setting, around a lake, with water diverted from the river Mole. He was very succesful in this, and created a number of follies, a Grotto, and the unusual Turkish Tent. Many of the plants are of American origin, and were just becoming fashionable at the time. It's worth remembering it's a park like setting rather than a garden like Wisley. Reasonable cafe near the entrance, and the ever present gift shop. Worth chcking their website for offers, currently free entry on Wednesdays in November, children free at weekends, and A special Santa event. The Grotto is only open at the weekends. A great place for a walk on a sunny day, great views across the lake and Surrey.

Penshurst Place evidently still resembles that which Sir John de Pulteney, a former Mayor of…read moreLondon, constructed between 1338 and 1341. it has a rich history. Penshurst changed hands between a few dukes after Sir John and, in 1483, was inherited by Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Edward was the son of Henry Stafford (the 2nd Duke) and Katherine Woodville, sister to Queen Elizabeth (wife of King Henry IV). King Henry VIII had visited Edward (whom he considered a threat to the crown) at Penshurst in 1519 and even though the king had been lavished with what today would be over £1 million as a gift, King Henry VIII had Edward convicted of treason and executed in 1521, at which point the king took control of the estate. Henry used Penshurst as a hunting lodge but it was also where he stayed when he visited nearby Hever Castle while courting his future 2nd wife and queen, Anne Boleyn. Fast-forward to the king's divorce from his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves and Penshurst became hers, for a short time, as part of the settlement. Sir Ralph Fane (also Vane), who was knighted on the field of combat, was granted Penshurst in 1550 by Edward VI, the 13 year old King of England. However, less than two years later, Fane was convicted and hanged for treason, at which time the manor was given to Sir William Sidney by Edward VI as a reward for Sidney's services as steward and tutor to the household. Penshurst has remained in the Sidney family since 1552! By the late 1700's, the estate had started falling into disrepair. Restorations began in 1818 and the estate did well until damage was sustained during World War II. As a means to assist funding restorations in 1947, Penshurst Place was opened to the public. The family's stewardship of the manor has resided, since 1991, with Philip Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L'Isle MBE, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Kent. Though a fairly narrow building it is long and when one is touring through the various rooms you can glimpse much of the history that is held within the walls, from paintings that adorn the walls to mannequins wearing period clothing, from armor that had been worn to fancy lace and elaborate bedding. When visiting anywhere near Kent, England, Penshurst Place should be on the short list to tour. It doesn't take a long time but the history is worth your time.

Had a wonderful tour here while I was in England, beautiful gardens, and lots of history here.read more

This has to be one of North London's best kept secrets! I can't believe I had never heard of this…read moregarden (even my dad had not heard of it and he grew up near here.) I assume the lucky locals would like to keep this as a secret treasure, but it is too good not to share with yelpers!! The Pergola and Hill Gardens are hidden between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park. The Pergola half of the garden is essentially a long raised walkway, under a long pergola made from wood and stone, covered in gorgeous smelling roses and other climbing plants. The other half of the garden has a large square pond full of lilies, sculptured hills and nice soft grass to sit on and have a picnic. I have a feeling it could be very busy on nice days...but when we visited it all seemed far quieter than Golders Hill Park - even though it is so, so much nicer. Practicalities: - If you don't want to walk, just take the 210 bus and get off at Inverforth House, you can see the signs to the garden. - It's free (!)

This place is beyond beautiful. I'm always surprised when I find places like this in London that is…read moreopen for the general public with no fee. Tucked away on the smaller side of Hampstead Heath, in between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park is this little Gem. Because it's hidden away it's less busy than both the known green spaces. The pergola goes on and on with hidden entrances to the gardens. The gardens all have walk ways for you to meander through them. I can imagine that this place will get used for many photoshoots. You have to be careful you're not walking into someone else's shot. None of the photos or reviews will EVER do this place justice. Trust me and go see for yourself.

There's more than 100 llamas and alpacas at this park that has been breeding and nurturing them…read moresince 1987. Llamas and alpacas have always had a bit of bad press about being bad tempered but a visit here will quickly show you how badly deserved that reputation is. They are very friendly indeed. They offer 'Llama Walks' here which is a really novel idea and a great thought for a birthday present but i have to admit they are a bit pricey at £30 per person. You can always share a llama for £50 between two though!

From the owner: The Llama Park is not only home to herds of both llamas and alpacas…read more New animals include reindeer, Spanish horses, Shetland ponies, donkeys, sheep and goats. Not to mention our lovely Welsh Pigs. Chickens, peafowl and Guinea fowl run wild and are greatly loved by visitors and staff alike, whilst ducks, geese and turkeys show off and generally make a lot of noise. Customers can buy food to feed the animals. There is also an excellent coffee shop and restaurant, renowned for cream teas and Sunday roast lunches. There is an excellent and reputed fashion shop selling alpaca knitwear and a wide range of top quality clothes for men, women and children. We also offer two types of llama walk - full and family. The Full Walk allows guests to lead a llama on a one and a half hour walk through the enchanting local countryside. The Family Walk is shorter lasting half an hour around The Park and is designed to let children share the joy of walking a llama parental supervision. Finally, there is also an outdoor playground with a bouncy castle and picnic tables. Following extensive renovations The Llama Park now holds a Music, Dancing and Alcohol licence until 01:00 and a Wedding Licence. There are two beautiful barns which are used for Weddings, Parties of all types and for all ages, as well as for craft fairs, barn dances, music functions, film shows and, of course, The Llama Park's famous Christmas Wonderland with the 'real' Father Christmas.

A nice place with a lovely open scenery for walking but several including one of my children have…read morealmost drowned in the lake after falling over face first into it.... Going to this location I would suggest keeping your kids well away from the lake Also a while back a murderer used the woodland as a hiding place and wasn't found by the police until six days after he was sleeping there... It's s great place but is it a safe place?

The Five Arches is an area of woodland and open grassland so names because of the five arches that…read moremake up the bridge across the river that runs through it. In the summer, children often paddle in the water and throw stones into the water from the bridge. There's also a park for children to play in which has been modernised to include some exciting looking playground toys. The wooded area provides a fun alternative for youngsters wanting to climb amongst the trees and play hide and seek and a local pub, The White Cross, is a great place for a drink and snack afterwards.