I'm a real fan of this place.
A flat carpark, through the orangery entry, and suddenly, up.
The place is filled will green, huge hollow rhododendrons, wooden steps, follies, tunnels, rocks coloured with copper and branches arching, dripping with berries.
The root covered paths are lined with raspberry and bramble bushes, and beautiful views off cliffs and through expanses of corn off to the horizon, leading to caves, grottos and arches.
The twisting old trees are fit for tolkien, and I think I'm right in bits of Narnia being filmed here. It's a lot of unavoidable steps, so unsuitable for wheelchairs and prams unfortunately. Best on a dry day to avoid slippery rocks and carved steps, wear sensible shoes, take a bottle of a water and a torch (some tunnels are purposely not lit) and I'd also advise a picnic, partly because picnics are the best thing ever, but also because the tea room is pants! read more