My mother and I will be in London the first week of July. She's a big flower/gardening fan (former president of her garden club), and I was wondering what would be the best place to go for flowers? We're already going to check out the Columbia Road flower market on Sunday, and we've unfortunately had to rule out the Hampton Court flower show going on that week, due to time issues. I had heard that Regents P ark had gorgeous flowers--is that correct?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
If your mom loves flowers, you really should take her to Kew Gardens. It is absolutely beautiful. There are several large greenhouses (some are very old), lots of great outdoor garden areas, several buildings to vist, and their shop is fabulous! It is on the tube or you can take a train and I think you can even take a cruise down the Thames to get there. We have used the Tube and enjoyed the brief walk through the "village" from the station to the gardens.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2800 posts
If you want to go outside of London, Savill Garden are great, they are outside of Windsor. To get there you could take the tain to Windsor (35 minute ride) then taxi to the gardens.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33588 posts
Driving or train? Just over the A1(M) from York is Harrogate which has two unmissable reasons to go out of your way. The first, just so you can get sustenance for the trials of walking around the gardens you understand, is Bettys Tea Room which is only a short walk from the station and the second is the RHS Garden Harlow-Carr, a lovely Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) garden. You can walk there from the centre of Harrogate through a chain of nice municipal gardens or there is a bus and a car park. And, after you are tired out from all the walking and flower gazing, there is a branch of Bettys there, too. Bettys is one of the best tea rooms in the country, therefor the world. Their tea is all their own, available online, too, and the cakes and pastries are all made in house. Well worth a stop. Harrogate is easy by train or car from York. If you just can't leave York to go a few miles west there are also 2 branches of Bettys in York.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33588 posts
Will you be going into the Cotswolds? The National Trust has Hidcote Manor Garden, where the concept of "rooms" originated. Unbelievable and unbeatable.
Posted by
OP
Chicagoland
279 posts
Actually, after London we're heading north--York, then the Moors, Hadrian's Wall, Edinburgh, the Highlands, then four days in Orkney before flying back to London and home. I'm hoping we'll see some nice gardens on the way up (we'll be seeing Castle Howard in the Moors, and if we have time, Dunrobin Castle north of Inverness). I had a friend recently tell me that she thought that Regents Park had the best flowers in London--I think she was talking about the rose garden there. I will definitely see if we can take in Kew Gardens. Thanks!!
Posted by
Land of La
9124 posts
Kew Gardens is a must. Yes, there are gorgeous flowers in Regent's park. Was there in May. Lovely purple hues all along the St. Mark's Square path. The inner circle park area adjacent to the open air theatre was stellar as well. You'll be very pleased. I'd also investigate the Kensington Roof Garden on High Street, Holland Park and the charming Garden Museum in Lambeth. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/
Really a secret gem.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17255 posts
St. James Park also has nice flower beds with lots of variety.
Posted by
aberdeen, scotland & london, uk
241 posts
Kew and Chelsea physic gardens.
S