Since 1984, the Historic Houses Association and Christies, the fine art auctioneers have sponsored a competition to find their Garden of the Year. The list reads like a who’s who of great British gardens and this tour celebrates no fewer than 10 of them that are located in the south of England. My tour of this remarkable collection of breathtakingly beautiful gardens can be timed to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show (end of May)
- the quintessentially English garden at privately owned Pashley Manor
- moated, 13th century, Hever Castle and one of the most beautiful gardens in England
- meet the owners when you visit Borde Hill Gardens during their annual Sculpture in the Garden Festival
- the fabulous walled garden at Parham, one of England’s finest Elizabethan houses
- the tranquil and beautiful gardens at West Dean near Chichester
- The Rothschild collection of rhododendrons at Exbury Gardens
- The 900 years of history, 30 acres of gardens and cascade of lakes at Forde Abbey
- Athelhampton, one of the most magnificent Elizabethan houses in the country
- The unique subtropical garden at Abbotsbury and its Swannery
- The treasure garden at Heale House, which was designed by Harold Peto in the Edwardian and Tudor styles
