‘The scent of damp earth, the hum of bees and treasures in every border’: readers’ favourite UK gardens

Our tipsters discover rainforests, rare flowers blazing with colour and the finest tea and cakeThornton Hall Gardens, near my home town of Darlington, are described by its owners as “a hobby that got out of hand”. With no previous gardening experience, the owner Sue Manners began to work on the garden alone after buying the old hall in 1989 with husband Mike. Nowadays, the gardens are among the finest in the country. As you wander, you’ll discover a rich variety of rare and unusual flowers mingling with striking trees and beautiful shrubs. Over 100 roses bloom alongside vibrant collections of delphiniums, peonies, and irises, all set within lush, flowing borders and thoughtfully arranged island beds. Because Thornton Hall is a working farm, the gardens are only open on nine days this summer (£10, 10am-4pm).Mike Ladyman Continue reading...

May 23, 2025 - 07:18

‘The scent of damp earth, the hum of bees and treasures in every border’: readers’ favourite UK gardens

Our tipsters discover rainforests, rare flowers blazing with colour and the finest tea and cake

Thornton Hall Gardens, near my home town of Darlington, are described by its owners as “a hobby that got out of hand”. With no previous gardening experience, the owner Sue Manners began to work on the garden alone after buying the old hall in 1989 with husband Mike. Nowadays, the gardens are among the finest in the country. As you wander, you’ll discover a rich variety of rare and unusual flowers mingling with striking trees and beautiful shrubs. Over 100 roses bloom alongside vibrant collections of delphiniums, peonies, and irises, all set within lush, flowing borders and thoughtfully arranged island beds. Because Thornton Hall is a working farm, the gardens are only open on nine days this summer (£10, 10am-4pm).
Mike Ladyman Continue reading...