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!

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.

Nymans was one of the highlights of a recent country walk (part of walk 16 in Time Out's Saturday…read moreWalker's Club) and definitely worth a return visit in its own right. As a lunch time stopover for hungry hikers the cafe is a bit of a let-down, though. We had a sandwich and ploughmans which were both OK but rather overpriced. After a walk around the grounds which include romantic ruins, stunning views and beautiful gardens, we returned to the cafe for afternoon tea. Just to be even more disappointed - they have a problem with their water which makes hot drinks taste disgusting (apparently, we aren't the first to notice and something is being done about this - to their credit, we did get a refund, but a nice cup of tea would have been more welcome). If it weren't for the lacklustre catering this place would definitely deserve a full five stars. The garden centre looked outstanding, even for the National Trust's high standards.

This is a good day out. There is something round every corner. You are greeted by the cafe which is…read morealways a good start and this one has some good outside seating as well as inside. There is plenty of room to picnic in the wooded car park. You can then meander through the wonderful 20th century gardens, the Rose Garden, The Walled garden with it's amazingly colourful herbaceous borders (this must be one of the most photographed in England !), by which time you've almost forgotten about the house ! But not for long. Through an arch in the wall, there stands the Majestic house. Turn another corner and there is the most wonderful, Romantic, Gothic like ruin. It is hard to believe that it was only in 1947 that a fire ripped through the building and this part was left standing & unrepaired. An amazing back drop for the gardens & a golden photo opportunity. The knot garden & the sunken garden are set around the house & ruins then lead on to a beautiful wooded estate , over 200 acres, with wonderful views across Sussex. Although a frequent visitor I still find walks & paths that I have never found before. The rooms on the ground floor of the house contain fascinating day to day artifacts of the family and the NT Stewards are friendly and informative. I see different things every time I visit. There is a good sized shop & small plant area. There is good access for the disabled.

I like coming here for many reasons- the little train track is great on a Sunday- really cheap and…read morekeeps the children entertained. The park is good for all ages and it's a nice walk round the pond.

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.

Been here a couple of times for the beautiful views over Surrey, however today was the first time I…read moreenjoyed the trail walk followed by tea and ice cream from the tearoom/urban kitchen. The park is beautiful and has several trails you can complete, I enjoyed a beautiful 2 mile walk through some stunning scenery and woodlands. The terrain is moderate due to all the slopes and hills and unfortunately is not wheelchair friendly due to this plus the ground is very uneven in places. There is a small car park situated next to the tearooms with grass areas for picnics and relaxation. There are a small number of bench tables and chairs and male & female toilet facilities (open from 9-5pm). The tearoom/urban kitchen (open from 9-5pm) is very impressive and has a big selection of food and drink considering its customer base. Food includes sandwiches, toasties, wraps, cakes, ice cream (two dairy free sorbet options too which was most impressive), they even offer £5 meal deals Monday to Friday. They sell the usual hot drinks plus lattes, cappuccinos, herbals and frappes, with free soya or almond milk alternatives, so lots of choice at reasonable prices. I opted for a tea which was served very hot and was most enjoyable after my walk! The area is kept clean and tidy and there are bins dotted around the park including a dog waste bin. An information board gives you local historical information and a map of the trails plus there are leaflets available on other National Trust walks. Would definitely recommend for the beautiful scenery and walks and the nice little tearoom/kitchen.

Priory Park really is the jewel in Reigate's crown. It seems to stretch on forever, and has…read moresomething for everyone. The vast grassy area is often busy with football games, but there's plenty of it if you, your children, or your dog want to just have a run and play in the grass. The lovely sunken garden has a beautiful fountain, and is a really nice place to sit. There is also now a cafe, which looks lovely, but I've never been in. Continue down the path and you'll find the playground, delightful for older kids, but I must emphasize that the council really missed a trick here. I actually avoid the playground, especially when I'm alone, as there are multiple exits, a nightmare when you've got more than one young child to look after. Also, the play area doesn't have much for the little ones and you spend most of your time trying to keep them from killing themselves on the equipment meant for older kids. It's just not fun for the little ones to be constantly told no, no, no, or the parents who feel on edge the entire time. Further down you'll find a beautiful pond, filled with ducks and swans, made MUCH safer during the recent refurbishment, with only two small areas left unfenced along the pond to feed the ducks. Before you'd spend far too much time pulling the little ones away from the edge. Now, I enjoy going and having a stroll around the pond, confident my kids are safe. If you're feeling really adventurous, there are plenty of trails for physical abilities of all types. You could (and we have) wander for hours through the woods.

It is the oldest botanical garden here in London. There are…read morelots of different kinds of plants from all over the world. Some are edible, some are medicinal and some are just common plants that you may see everywhere.The garden has a variety of medicinal plants from all over the world that can heal from a simple sickness up to serious illnesses like breast cancer. There is a cafe on site to take some break. Best place to relax with great surroundings.

Room unbearably hot. No a/c and poor customer service. Our friends stayed in another room and were…read moregiven a portable air conditioner which cooled their room well. The hotel desk staff told us they were sorry but only had one unit. We asked to speak with the manager but never heard from anyone in management. We stayed four nights and couldn't sleep due to the heat of the rooms. The windows only open a crack for safety reasons. I would not recommend this hotel from June through October due to no ability to make the room comfortable. For a luxury hotel with high prices, it is disappointing that no one made an effort to make us comfortable in any way and didn't even make an effort to speak with us. Can't recommend this hotel at all.

Beautiful gardens located on the edge of the High Weald of Sussex. Specialising in Rhododendrons,…read moreAzaleas and Camelials in incredible settings including numerous lakes and a very pretty rock garden. Other highlights include the wallabies and the dolls house exhibition. It's a real shame that the gardens will be closed to the punblic at the end of this month.

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.