Another dreamy spot in Richmond Park!…read more An ornamental woodland garden that deserves to be visited as much as is humanly possible. At this very moment, a lot of the trees are glowing red! It's just stunning! There's a delightful pond filled with waterlilies and the most beautiful reflections. It's name seems to originate from the word 'isabel' in the 15th century, which meant dingy or greyish yellow - referring to the colour of the soil in this part of the park. It certainly contains a much brighter pallet now. Some of its seasonal delights include: Spring - camellias, magnolias, daffodils and bluebells. Summer - Japanese irises and day lilies. Autumn - guelder rose, rowan and spindle trees loaded with berries and leaves on the acer trees are turning red. Winter - camellias and rhododendron, mahonia, winter-flowering heathers and stinking hellebore. For drivers the Broomfield Hill car park is closest. If on foot, it's best to enter the park at Ladderstile Gate where there is a big map to direct you!

I am now a member of the selected group that know of Isabella Plantation and I am proud of it! :)…read more I have been going to Richmond Park for years and I love every bit of it. But I now love it even more! Isabella Plantation is quite a large garden secluded from the rest of the park by a wooden fence but set right in it. It has a magnificent collection of colourful flowers, and a stream that runs right through it. It also has three ponds and a great selection of trees too. It is charming, peaceful, secret and beautiful. Don't miss it if you go to Richmond Park. But don't stay long, I wouldn't want it to start getting crowded ;)

We always used to take my granny to Borde Hill for a nice long walk around the gardens and then a…read moreslap-up lunch in the cafe afterwards. Country Life Magazine describes this place as one of the most important gardens in the UK. Its not too hard to see why as you walk around the 200 acres of breath-taking, grade II listed parkland and woodland. Everything is arranged and planted as individual 'rooms'. My favourite is the 'Garden of Allah' as the plants really are amazing. This is an ideal place for a nice long walk with a group of relatives or your better half. You really won't find many places like it in Sussex.

Really large park, good for after lunch walk. It takes me some time to find the deers. They are not…read moreafraid of people at all.

very nice park with loads of nice trees and a big park wgich is great for kids…read more nice to walk around, very big

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.

An incredible place to be at one with nature in an otherwise busy part of London. Not too difficult…read moreto get to by public transport but by car or bike it's easier. Parking isn't free and the roads around it are for permit holders only. I recommend a visit to the farm shop which ia halfway down towards the park. The House is worth a visit too, the Etruscan Dressing Room is my favourite. The café and shops are great too. I recently had a pot of Assam and a scone with a friend. The scone was a little hard on the outside but tasted fine. I had to pay extra for jam, which annoyed me a little since I think it should have come with it.

Jurassic Kingdom Exhibition…read more My first tip, a big one, is arrive early. We arrived at 10.30 am to find the car park in Osterley Park filling up quickly. We had a few hours of wandering amongst the exhibits without be pushed from pillar to post. When we left, at 1.30 pm the queues at the entrance were long and the carpark almost full. Warning over, the reasons for this overcrowding will be explained in the following review. We were overwhelmed by this exhibit. Initially we wondered if it would be interesting for we 'oldies' and wondered where we could hire a couple of ankle-biters so we would not feel out of place. Our children being of the older age group. Even my grandchildren are 18+. However, those worries disappeared. Seeing those life size animatronic dinosaurs was, I hate the word, awesome. It was great seeing the reaction of the smaller members of each family. They were enthralled. An easy, well signposted, walk around with ample 'educational' signage at each model. We learned that the names had changed over our lifetime. Very interesting to see where in the world, as we know it now, each dinosaur was found. Half way round there was a refreshment area selling hot dogs, noodles, drinks etc etc. A very welcome break for a coke. But carrying on to see more of those wonderful 'models', I was getting to the point of thinking of them being real (think it was the sun and no hat, Sunday was a hot day). At the end there, again, was a watering area and we decided to something to eat. I decided to treat my partner to an al fresco meal. Least I could do. We sat on the grass eating our burgers LOL. I was pleasantly surprised at the prices. Not a fiddle for the captive audience but reasonable prices. Guys, this exhibition will be travelling the UK. Well worth a visit, especially if you have young ones. Prices are reasonable especially the family tickets. Make an effort but, REMEMBER, go early to avoid the rush and enjoy the exhibition. www.lovepopupslondon.com #lovepopupslondon www.jurassickingdom.uk

Alice Holt is an amazing and large place for long walks, adventure play park for the kids, Go-Ape,…read morecycle hire and large lake and cafe area...great to go on a sunny day! Lots of different walks can be taken with a Stick Man walk for the little ones! Play park is great and can be difficult getting the younger members of the family out! There are picnic benches along the way, with some great view points too...as its large you don't feel on top of everyone on a busy day...although parking can take a while, so be aware!

A forest owned by the Forestry Commission I had to add a positive review for this place becuase…read morethey were the last place in Farnham to have Christmas trees when I left it too late. It is a lovely day out with paths and walks to suit all ages and abilities - including wheelchair friendly. It also has a cafe and plentiful parking. There are climbing frames for kids in addition to the Go Ape centre within the forest which is for big kids (death slides, assult courses etc). A good picnic location as well as a place to get Christmas trees.

A very nice park between the Reading Museum and the Abbey Ruins…read more The site and the Abbey Ruins next door have cultural significance to the area dating back to the 12th century. To get the most out of your visit, I would recommend stopping by the Reading Museum first to read about how the park and ruins fit into Reading's history. The park is a delightful urban oasis located right next to the Abbey Ruins and just about a 5-minute walk to the Reading Museum. It really is a charming green space located in the heart of Reading, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The park boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, a picturesque pond, and historical features like the famous Maiwand Lion statue. When we visited, it had well-maintained paths that made it a pleasant spot for leisurely strolls. Its historical resonance adds a unique touch to the park's ambiance. If you are interested in a nice place to go to relax or explore, this could be it. The pathways are wide and the grounds are well-kept and pretty. For more specific details and visitor reviews, you can check out local travel websites or the official Reading Borough Council website.

I am sorry to disagree with a fellow Yelper, but David is missing the point of Reading. It's not…read moretrying to be elegant or subtle, relaxing or picturesque. It will never be London or Oxford. It's a city where people live and love, where businesses are based and where children run and play. The elegance is there, you just have to look for it. I've been living here for 9 months now and I've managed to find it in several places, including this one. Forbury Gardens is one of the spots carved out from the hustle-and-bustle. Sure, the buses and traffic trundles past on Forbury Road (aka A329), but that's over there. Outside. Away from the grass and the benches and the peace of a secluded and pretty park. There is a lovely gazebo in the center and the Forbury Band Concert Season is held on Sundays during the summer. Whether you're here for the music or just the peace, bring a picnic! The groundskeepers do a fine job of keeping the gravel level and the litter picked up. As you do take your time and relax, enjoy the Forbury Lion aka the Maiwand Lion, one of the largest cast iron lions in the UK. It's there to commemorate the deaths of 329 soldiers in Afghanistan. No, not the current war. The one back between 1878 and 1880, according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiwand_Lion.

This small arboretum is in the centre of Onslow Village, west Guildford. It is a collection of…read morevarious trees from around the world, grouped in areas based on the continent they originated from. A circular gravel path leads you around the collection and there is an open area in the centre. It is a planned arboretum not a woodland and is not densely packed. Also one side is bordered by the busy A3 so it not very quiet. It is free though and a good place to walk your dog or have a short walk. Next to the arboretum is the village recreation ground which is a large field with a football pitch, playground, basketball area, tennis courts and toilets.