My mum like a lot of mums I should think loves nothing more than spending a day out looking at…read moregardens. I went to the Cowbridge garden's with her for a nice free day out on a sunny spring day recently. I'm quite interested in the medicinal uses of plants and how they've been used in the years gone by and we have quite a history of it here in Wales so it was nice to learn a bit more about that. Overall though its just a beautiful old house with this gorgeous garden. The community has spent a lot of time and energy on these gardens and it shows. Nice spot to visit on an afternoon.

Feeling unwell? Excessive indulgences? Need a quiet, relaxing, herbaceous respite? Cowbridge Physic…read moreGarden might be just the place. On a warm sunny day, relax and sit on one of the benches taking in the colour and fragrance of the gently swaying herby garden plants. The central beds (for flowers, not hung-over recoverees) contain plants specific to a part of the body or particular illness, so those with over-exuberant nightly imbibing activities might naturally gravitate towards the ones relevant to the kidneys. The perimeter areas are devoted to medicinal and soothing plants. Only plants found in Britain before 1800 are included in the garden. On a not so warm and sunny day, a couple of shelters at either end of the garden provide hiding places from the weather. Not a huge garden, so not necessarily for a special day trip out but definitely worth a visit if in Vale of Glamorgan area. Open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm in summer and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm in winter (except Christmas day and special events [the gardens are used to host private events on occasion]). Recommended for all, not just the queasy. Hope this is helpful.

Most people, when visiting Avebury, just go to see the prehistoric standing stones and then leave…read more This is a pity, as there is a lot more of this tiny village than the (admittedly UNESCO world heritage) standing stones. Just outside the stones, behind the church, is Avebury Manor. This comprises the Manor house itself, the surrounding gardens, a Dovecote, the Alexander Keiller museum (separate charge) and a 17th century barn and a former farmyard block. The manor house was built in the early 16th century, with later additions. Like the stone circle, these are all in the care of the National Trust. The rooms in the manor house were restored a decade or so ago, as part of a television series produced by the BBC, called "The Manor Reborn". Each of the rooms is decorated and furnished with restored or re-created furniture, to reflect a different period in the life of the house. There is a Tudor dining room and bedroom; the Queen Anne bedroom (she reputedly stayed here); a Georgian styled dining room; the early 20th century billiard room, library and kitchen; and the 1930s lounge. The lounge reflects the period when it was home to the wealthy archaeologist Alexander Keiller, who was responsible for the excavation and restoration of the stones in the 1930s. Unlike many properties run by the National Trust, Avebury Manor encourages a hands-on experience - you can sit on and touch the furniture, play billions on the billiard table, and generally enjoy being in the house. We found this a very refreshing change, enhance by the really lovely volunteer staff on hand. We could not have been made more welcome. Afterwards, do not miss the gardens, the formal garden, kitchen garden and topiary garden are all charming and afford some lovely photographic opportunities. Our only disappointment was the museum (we are members, so did not have to pay, but it is charged separately from the house). We found this a bit disappointing, although it does include the story of the restoration of the stones and there are some archaeological finds exhibited. Afterwards, don't miss going in the barn, which houses a veteran touring car. We visited the café (in the farmyard buildings) afterwards, and had a very nice orange and poppyseed cake and chocolate brownie with tea. I personally find that that National Trust cafés can be a little bit hit and miss, but this one was a hit largely because of the very charming staff. There is parking for those with disabled badges in the village, about a five minute walk from Avebury Manor itself. For everyone else, the main car park is situated about half a mile away, on the A4361 road between Beckhampton and Avebury.

Gorgeous surroundings and relaxed atmosphere. Very spiritual place. We went to the café/restaurant…read morewhich was nice, but the manager was very cold to us and spoke down to his staff (I presume he was as he was the manager as he was the only one not in uniform) The barn was great and a lovely walk through the gardens. Fantastic location. Thoroughly recommend.

Lovely day out with quirky gardens depicting various parts of the world and myths and legends. Lots…read morefor the kids and adults to see including Alice in Wonderland. After wandering about, the cafe was a welcome end to the day underneath the 80 days around the world balloon.

Beautiful outdoor gardens that make for a lovely walk and photos. The house wasn't very big but had…read moresome pretty architectural items. $19£ a person was a bit steep

Hidden in the trees, just out of the city, an nineteenth century millhouse sits by the river…read more Friends of mine were married here (how cool, right?) and in Spring the ponds were full of frogs, the trees full of chirping blackbirds - wait a minute, we're in a city you say? Avon wildlife trust's main education centre on all matters green is great for kids and parents with a thirst for knowledge. The gorge, woodland and meadow around is prime dog-walking territory, so frolic in the wildlife garden and spend an afternoon flexing your environmental muscles - you'll feel renewed!

A great place for lovely walks with woodland, a pond and bath tubs for dragonflies and frogs!…read more Throughout December 2012 during the weekend there will be a great cafe opening for freshly brewed coffee, fair trade tea and homemade cakes from 10.30 until 3pm every Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Coffee-Mill-at-Willsbridge/215021135296454

Lots to see and do at this 15-acre botanical garden: a koi pond, aviary, butterfly house, bonsai…read morecollection, glasshouses, and many trails winding through various gardens. I was also witnessed a poor wild peacock being chased by children across the Main Lawn. Tickets are low-priced at £7.50 per adult. A 15 to 20 minute bus ride from the main city stops right by the garden. We didn't explore every nook and cranny, but covered the highlights in the hour that we stayed.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a medium-sized and well-maintained gardens a bit outside the…read morecity center. They have pleasant fields for strolling, a small area with some bird houses for your bird-watching enjoyment, plus some indoor greenhouses with plants from different climates. It's not that large, but you could enjoy an hour or two here. Come when the weather is nice to enjoy some greenery.

Winterbourne is a great place for a sunny day. £5 gives you access to the Arts and Crafts house and…read moregardens, both of which are lovely. Behind the more formal gardens are woodland trails (you might even see a beech tree I helped to coppice as a student many years ago) and Edgbaston reservoir, a calm expanse of water populated by ducks, moorhens and crested grebes. There are beautiful waterside rock gardens with stepping stones, which I love. The whole place feels like a sanctuary from the city and is conveniently located close to the Barber Institute and the university campus if you want to make more of a day of it. There's a tea room which sells serviceable scones (with that really aerated cream rather than proper whipped or clotted cream though) and also sandwiches, soup and potatoes etc. You can get plants and gifts at the shop- and if you go during the week you may be able to get some advice from the gardeners, too.

Beautiful House and garden just 5 minutes away from Birmingham University. Amazing greenhouses…read morefilled with various flowers, cacti, plants. Such a lovely place to visit on a summer day especially if you check out their tearoom by the terrace!

The botanic gardens here aren't huge, but they're fun and relaxing. There are some nice strolls…read morearound the grounds, plus interesting greenhouses with a large variety of flowers and greenery to enjoy. The admission is slightly steep for what you get, but worth at least one visit.

Lovely. This…read moregarden is charmingly well laid-out and really genuinely inviting. The gift shop is full of lovely little items and there is a cafe. The feel in the gardens is really restful. That having been said, the plants are well-labelled and the displays are really informative.

Stunning garden and cafe out near the airport well worth the drive…read more The Victorian gardens were discovered underneath brambles and restored, but still retain that air of mystery and vintage elegance. They are now filled with fruit and veg used in the kitchens for the cafe. The cafe does breakfast to late lunches, and a lovely afternoon tea. It is all organic and preferably from their own garden and small livestock. Their cakes are particularly good. It is quite expensive but the quality shows, and by the time you have taken in the country views and pretty garden you will take time sitting in the sun room to enjoy your tea. They also have a gallery here with resident artists - I haven't actually seen this, I must have had eyes only for cake that day. If you live locally these studios hold pottery classes. In September the grounds host a maize maze, which is a lot of fun. Bring a torch and go round in the dusk! They have BBQs on which makes it a nice evening event. The maze is harvested for the local cows once it is ready. The site also houses Eco Angus - wood burning boilers - by appointment only. These are summer times openings above - call to check winter openings.

The castle is lovely and grounds are absolutely stunning. Although the structure and landscaping…read moreare lovely, our tour guide felt the need to weave her strong political views into most topics. Examples would be regarding a pitcher/jug that is displayed in one of the glass cases. She said the pitcher "should not be here" and if she had her way "it would be returned" because it was "stolen from a masque." She also said when referring to Dr. Edward Jenner being the first to develop a successful vaccination for small pox that "it really is a question if he were the first." She said he barely beat Africa and Turkey in this world altering vaccine. To which doctors to whom was she referring to in Africa or Turkey? She made a comment of, " My grandfather always said, 'Whatever horrible acts done have been done have been done by the English first.' and I firmly believe this." She was also railing against the decisions of the monarchs before the addition of the parliament. Then she went on to say she wished she could get rid of the current government. A guide should concentrate on the facts and remove biases. It is quite distracting and unnecessary.

What can you say about one of the oldest inhabited castles in the world which is still owned by the…read moresame family from 900 years ago. You have to go. Its where Edward II was murdered with a red hot poker up his fundament .