A walk in the park
One of the UK's grandest parkland estates, Lyme Park is 50 minutes from central Manchester. Its 1,400 acres offer countless breathtaking views. Walk to nearby Bowstones, where on a clear day you can see seven counties. Look out for stags in the deer park and discover the estate's many enchanting follies.
Lyme Park is probably most recognisable as the location for that scene, in the BBC's 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice - the one where Mr Darcy takes a dip in the lake (although in the depths of November, we certainly wouldn't recommend it).
Open All year, daily. Card valid for the whole property - check website for house times. Card not valid on bank holiday weekends.
nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme
Fit for a king
Part-medieval palace and part1930s manor house, Greenwich's Eltham Palace and Gardens has been home to countless historical figures - from a young Henry VIII to the eccentric Courtauld family and their pet lemur, Jongy.
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Gardeners World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Gardeners World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Travel Ideas For Garden Lovers
Looking for green-fingered holiday inspiration? The GW team share recent destinations for garden getaways
Your wildlife month
December is a time for reflection in the garden. What worked for wildlife in 2023 and what didn't? How could you do more? Looking at the bones of the garden now, is there space for more plants? Are your fences bare? Are there enough berries and hips? You have until March to plant bare-root trees and shrubs. What would look good? What would better serve wildlife?
The Full Monty
I can, and occasionally do, manufacture jobs in a kind of gung-ho, boy-scout spirit
Expert's choice
Smaller variegated ivies still pack a big punch all year round, says Graham Rice
YOUR PRUNING MONTH
Frances Tophill explains what to cut back now, including grapevines and hardy shrubs
Hardwood cuttings
It's the zero-fuss way to make free new shrubs - just follow our guide from Nick Bailey
Hassle-free harvests
While veg-plot activities slow down in winter, there is still plenty to do, from planting fruit trees, and harvesting sprouts and salads to taking stock of your growing year so you can plan next year's crops, says Jack Wallington
The happy house plant guide
In the first of a seven-part series, Jane Perrone shares expert advice on how to give your house plants the best start to a long and healthy life in your home
The science of soil
Healthy soil is teeming with life - Becky Searle delves below the surface to explore how this fascinating system works and how it can benefit our plants
'It's like another lung - like having oxygen on tap. It makes you breathe in a different way'
Helen Maxwell's garden in rural Carmarthenshire surrounds the house that her husband (who's an architect) designed.
