With the weather finally starting to resemble something like summer in Bristol, it’s time to turn our attention to things we can do outdoors.
And one of the most enjoyable things to do when the sun’s shining is roam around a garden or park.
We’ve got loads of large open green spaces here in Bristol which we’re all aware of, but there are also some lovely secret gardens you probably didn’t even know were right on your doorstep.
READ MORE: The secret Bristol garden to explore that most don't know exists
We all love discovering something hidden, and below are the very best gardens to explore in Bristol and the surrounding area.
Goldney House and Gardens
Stoke Park Road
Owned by Bristol University and tucked away from the grand streets of Clifton, this ornate garden includes a heritage orchard, an ornamental garden, an orangery, a canal and tower, a rotunda and bastion, Corinthian columns and an elaborate grotto, which is one of the finest surviving examples of an 18th century garden grotto in Britain.
Stowey Gardens
Bishop Sutton
Stowey Gardens cover a broad range of delightful features including flower packed beds, borders and some unusual trees. You can also expect to see plenty of stunning flowers from topiary to hydrangeas.
Bedminster Secret Gardens
Various locations in Bedminster
Over the weekend of June 2 and 3, a number of houses in Bedminster will open up their stunning gardens to the public, with all money raised supporting projects to reduce loneliness among older people in the community.
Vine House
Henbury Road, Henbury
Mature trees, shrubs, herbaceous borders, rock stream and gunnera make up this stunning garden. The garden was originally planted in 1940s for all year round interest by the Hewer family, and features many unusual plants and trees.
READ MORE: Wilko launches huge gardening range with 25p flower seeds
The Dairy
Clevedon Road, Weston-in-Gordano
Surrounded by wildlife reserve and wonderful views over the Gordano Valley, this one-acre venue has been developing over the last 12 years and it really is something to behold.
Southfield Farm
Farleigh Road, Backwell
This two-acre garden has a mixed shrub and herbaceous borders, perennials, bulbs and blossom. There are roses, climbers, pergolas and seating. Other highlights include ponds, an orchard, vegetable garden, herb garden, summerhouse, terracing and courtyards, as well as a tearoom in an old stable yard.
Truffles
Church Lane, Bishop
A surprising and relaxing large garden with lots of wildlife, the garden boasts a hidden wooded valley, small stream, naturalised snowdrops, wildlife pond, flower meadows and lots of flower beds.
Goblin Combe House
Plunder Street, Cleeve
Two acre terraced garden with incredible views. It homes an interesting collection of trees, mixed shrubs and herbaceous borders, surrounded by orchards, fields and woodlands. Also home to the rare plant purple gromwell found on woodland edges with alkaline soils.
Tranby House
Norton Lane, Whitchurch
Well-established informal garden, designed and planted to encourage wildlife. There's a wide variety of trees, shrubs and cottage garden plants as well as a pond and wild flower meadow. The garden is divided into smaller areas, each with its own unique characteristics. It is continually evolving to provide colour and interest from spring to autumn.
Camers
Old Sodbury
Elizabethan farmhouse set in four acres of constantly developing garden and woodland with spectacular views over Severn Vale. The garden truly is full of surprises with a wide array of colourful flower beds.
All these gardens and many more run open days throughout the year.
To see when they're running visit the National Open Garden Scheme's website here.
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