Magical, mystical, fun, exciting! At least it is when you're a kid or you go with kids! Groombridge…read moreplace or the Enchanted Forest as it's better known is home to a pathway of exciting gardens, activities and hidden secrets! There are areas such as the dragon and dinosaur valley, the dark walk, the serpents lair and many other mythical areas to explore! Watch out because sometimes you might find a giant walking about! When I went here we were taken around some parts with a tour guide and he really brought the magic to life! There are also formal gardens at Groombridge place as well as some petting animals. It's a really great day out for the family and it won't cost you and arm and a leg either! I think it's about £9 for an adult now and of course less for children and senior citizens, you can also save by buying a family ticket! It's close to Tunbridge Wells and East Grinstead so can be easily found. Enjoy!

It's one of the beautiful park in Crawley. My 2yr old enjoys…read moreroaming round in the park

Family friendly - but as a sneaky adult pretending never to leave my 20s this place is also joyful!…read more Meercats, rabbits, pigs, peacocks - the nature centre is a random selection of animals tucked away in tilgate park, a little walk in. It is in desperate need of donations continually,but still works on a donation entry only - allowing for those with families to still go. it is part of Crawley which harks back to the times where it wasn't all about making a buck. `i do also loved the wall garden area - has a bit of a /secret gardenesque' feel. If you are looking for something to do in Crawley (which is a bizaare place to come as a tourist) then pop down to tilgate park and you could do this. 1. See animals at centre (for free! - please donate) 2 book go ape in for 3 hours (for cost) 3. Go to smith and westerns (i do miss the pub that was there before, this place is dark) 4. sit out on the lake and have a picnic 5. Walk around the park, with woodland, and gardens.

An idyllic destination a short drive from London, Painshill Park is a great place to spend a day…read moreenjoying the beauty of the English countryside. Created by the eccentric Charles Hamilton, the park was created as a "romantic landscape". Both organized and naturalistic, the park offers many vistas, perspectives and experiences. Created with a variety of follies dotting the landscape, the park offers panoramic views and interesting scenes. Views from the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent are breathtaking. While exploring the man-made grotto (which is currently undergoing renovation) you can't help but be in awe of Hamilton's vision while at the same time thinking "This guy must have been totally out there to build stalactites with lathe and plaster and then cover them in pieces of crystal!". Whether walking the grounds, bringing a blanket and a book and enjoying the solitude, Painshill Park is a wonderful place to visit. Be prepared to walk, as the park is large and very hilly. It's a good climb to the top of the Tower as well. Would definitely recommend this if you need a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of London.

A grade 1 listed park, much renovated over the last 25 years, by the trust that owns it…read more Created by Charles Hamilton ,in the mid 18th century, after his 2 (obligatory) Grand Tours, he wanted to create an idyllic natural setting, around a lake, with water diverted from the river Mole. He was very succesful in this, and created a number of follies, a Grotto, and the unusual Turkish Tent. Many of the plants are of American origin, and were just becoming fashionable at the time. It's worth remembering it's a park like setting rather than a garden like Wisley. Reasonable cafe near the entrance, and the ever present gift shop. Worth chcking their website for offers, currently free entry on Wednesdays in November, children free at weekends, and A special Santa event. The Grotto is only open at the weekends. A great place for a walk on a sunny day, great views across the lake and Surrey.

Nymans was one of the highlights of a recent country walk (part of walk 16 in Time Out's Saturday…read moreWalker's Club) and definitely worth a return visit in its own right. As a lunch time stopover for hungry hikers the cafe is a bit of a let-down, though. We had a sandwich and ploughmans which were both OK but rather overpriced. After a walk around the grounds which include romantic ruins, stunning views and beautiful gardens, we returned to the cafe for afternoon tea. Just to be even more disappointed - they have a problem with their water which makes hot drinks taste disgusting (apparently, we aren't the first to notice and something is being done about this - to their credit, we did get a refund, but a nice cup of tea would have been more welcome). If it weren't for the lacklustre catering this place would definitely deserve a full five stars. The garden centre looked outstanding, even for the National Trust's high standards.

This is a good day out. There is something round every corner. You are greeted by the cafe which is…read morealways a good start and this one has some good outside seating as well as inside. There is plenty of room to picnic in the wooded car park. You can then meander through the wonderful 20th century gardens, the Rose Garden, The Walled garden with it's amazingly colourful herbaceous borders (this must be one of the most photographed in England !), by which time you've almost forgotten about the house ! But not for long. Through an arch in the wall, there stands the Majestic house. Turn another corner and there is the most wonderful, Romantic, Gothic like ruin. It is hard to believe that it was only in 1947 that a fire ripped through the building and this part was left standing & unrepaired. An amazing back drop for the gardens & a golden photo opportunity. The knot garden & the sunken garden are set around the house & ruins then lead on to a beautiful wooded estate , over 200 acres, with wonderful views across Sussex. Although a frequent visitor I still find walks & paths that I have never found before. The rooms on the ground floor of the house contain fascinating day to day artifacts of the family and the NT Stewards are friendly and informative. I see different things every time I visit. There is a good sized shop & small plant area. There is good access for the disabled.

The Heath or Clair Meadow was once part of the proper heath before the town grew up to what it is…read moretoday. Part of this conservation area still has a wooded area that is nice to take a stroll in and you see this as a favourite route of evening dog walkers. The main park is also the home pitch of the local cricket team. There is a proper pavilion and batting nets and you will see club level games played here. This is quite nice and the area naturally becomes a banked incline with a number of benches dotted along the raised pathways. This area catches all of the afternoon sun and it's a nice place to take a book or watch a game being played on the weekend. There is also a children's play area with climbing frames etc. Right now, it is undergoing a refurb, but I would expect it to be open once the summer hits. I take a short cut through the wooded area on my way to the station and you will always see a good number of birds, squirrels and other assorted wildlife. Nice to see and a pleasant little break from the town.

I like coming here for many reasons- the little train track is great on a Sunday- really cheap and…read morekeeps the children entertained. The park is good for all ages and it's a nice walk round the pond.

Priory Park really is the jewel in Reigate's crown. It seems to stretch on forever, and has…read moresomething for everyone. The vast grassy area is often busy with football games, but there's plenty of it if you, your children, or your dog want to just have a run and play in the grass. The lovely sunken garden has a beautiful fountain, and is a really nice place to sit. There is also now a cafe, which looks lovely, but I've never been in. Continue down the path and you'll find the playground, delightful for older kids, but I must emphasize that the council really missed a trick here. I actually avoid the playground, especially when I'm alone, as there are multiple exits, a nightmare when you've got more than one young child to look after. Also, the play area doesn't have much for the little ones and you spend most of your time trying to keep them from killing themselves on the equipment meant for older kids. It's just not fun for the little ones to be constantly told no, no, no, or the parents who feel on edge the entire time. Further down you'll find a beautiful pond, filled with ducks and swans, made MUCH safer during the recent refurbishment, with only two small areas left unfenced along the pond to feed the ducks. Before you'd spend far too much time pulling the little ones away from the edge. Now, I enjoy going and having a stroll around the pond, confident my kids are safe. If you're feeling really adventurous, there are plenty of trails for physical abilities of all types. You could (and we have) wander for hours through the woods.

It is the oldest botanical garden here in London. There are…read morelots of different kinds of plants from all over the world. Some are edible, some are medicinal and some are just common plants that you may see everywhere.The garden has a variety of medicinal plants from all over the world that can heal from a simple sickness up to serious illnesses like breast cancer. There is a cafe on site to take some break. Best place to relax with great surroundings.

Hidden along the Inner Circle of Regent's Park is a secret. It's the hidden Garden of St. John's…read moreLodge. Between a couple of hedges, there's a half open gate which might imply that it's a private garden. Far from it, this is completely open to the public. But good luck finding it! Through the aforementioned gate, down a path and around a turn, there it is. A perfect English garden. No one quite knows as much about these gardens as an Englishman! Even quieter and more sedate than a walk through Regent's Park, you would hardly know that you're here in the capital of one of the largest cities in Europe. There are no sirens here. No buses going past. No loud motorcycles. Just peace and quiet. A small slice of heaven. Perfectly manicured grass, plants that have been cared for and a shady spot where you can sit and reflect. I love it. If only I could find it again!

The Garden of St. John's Lodge is so beautiful. It is hidden away and can be accessed from the…read moreinner circle of Regent's Park. It reminds me of a secret garden because of it's quiet and serene nature that seems to be untouched. You enter through a iron gate and stroll along under arches above covered in green that leads you into a beautiful English garden. This is a wonderful place to go to relax and absorb the beautiful surroundings.

Physics such as physical science not like energy and motion which if funny because my wife, the…read morephysics teacher, wanted to go because of the name. We were not disappointed as there were so many pretty flowers and plants from around the world. We had a good time walking through the gardens and seeing all the pretty things. Plenty of good spots to take some photos. We didn't try the restaurant since we had reservations at Ramsay but it smelled good.

Not really psychic, and they didn't explain the name in the tour…read more Despite that and the relatively small size, this is a pretty jam packed garden, but it's also a little expensive for its size, but the location is pretty convenient.