Garden variety

A LOOK AT THE TOP GARDENS TO ENJOY AT NATIONAL TRUST PLACES NEAR YOU THIS SUMMER

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WITH the arrival of summer, there's no better time to explore the vibrant beauty of the National Trust's most spectacular gardens.

From vibrant kitchen gardens bursting with seasonal produce to colourful herbaceous borders and fragrant rose collections, the National Trust offers a treasure trove of green spaces that come alive in the warmer months.

Here are some of the best to visit this season...

In Derbyshire at Hardwick Hall, summer is a colourful and fragrant time in the Elizabethan gardens, providing the perfect place to relax. The West Courtyard borders offer a colourful array of deep reds and purples, with the East Court showcasing scented roses in pretty pastel shades.

Calke Abbey's summer gardens are bursting with scent and colour at this time of year. You'll find pelargoniums and bright summer bedding in the Flower Garden, lavender and sweet peas in the Physic Garden and the flower border in the Kitchen Garden is alive with bees and butterflies.

There are plenty of places to pause, play and picnic in