Glorious gardens TO VISIT

Exploring a beautiful garden lifts the spirits. Here are six of the best to research now and visit later

- CHRIS MORLEY

Trebah Garden CORNWALL

Wander the four miles of footpaths criss-crossing Trebah Garden and you could easily imagine you’re in a lost valley. This subtropical garden, once the home of racing driver and car designer Donald Healey, is densely planted with tree ferns, 47 species of bamboo, banks of camellias and rhododendrons, plus several ‘champion trees’ – the tallest recorded in the UK – including a 150-year-old Chusan palm.

The jungle-style effect is enhanced by a series of pools and cascades, edged with candelabra primulas, arum lilies and giant gunnera. The garden tumbles down a valley to its own beach, where you can cool off with an ice cream. trebahgarden.co.uk

Levens Hall CUMBRIA