Open GardensGardens you can visit

Something for every one. There is the SunDial Brige, Stickwork sculpture by Patrick T. Dougherty, Rock Penjing, Mediterranean climate gardens, Nursery, Sacramento river, walking and bike trails. Right now they have the exhibition Bodies Revealed. There is an additional charge for this exhibition.

Main reason for visiting this location was to look at the house but the garden was good too & I will be returning for a better look when the property reopens next year. There is a rose garden & a working kitchen garden but I don't have any photographs of them.

Newer, and smaller, than many other Botanic Gardens in the UK, but packed full of interest all year round. The outdoor planted areas have representations from the world's temperate zones, from the Americas, the Mediterranean, Native British plants, Asia, and Australasia.

The new Garden of Evolution allows visitors to take a "time trip" through 1200 million years of plant evolution, from green algae to flowering plants. This garden is set amiong undulating,curving, dry-stone walls, which feature some fine examples of "wall art" and patterns.

The single large glasshouse is separated into two "biomes", tropical and temperate. This is located at the entrance to the gardens. A clean, warm coffee shop serves snacks and meals, open 7 days (does not require entry to the gardens). Adjacent to it is a plant sales area and the carpark (free parking).

Admission fee (2010) is adult £3, child £2. Annual single adult pass is only £12. (Family and concessionary admissions, and further information, available on the website.