This place is fantastic. As a resource for gardeners looking for ideas and inspiration it is unbeatable. As a guide to emerging trends it excels. As a test bed for new plant, fruit and vegetable varieties for the domestic gardener it is incomparable in its thoroughness.

It is no coincidence that Gardening Which? (the Consumer’s Association magazine) use Capel Manor College as the testing ground for so much that they do. The College owns and runs the gardens so you know that these skills are being kept alive and nurtured; breeding new plant varieties and fostering existing and new gardening styles and gardeners for the future.

As a day out it is unparallelled. Go if you get the chance. They even have a 'petting zoo’ with pigs, goats, 'silky’ chickens (a chinese breed), horses and more.

UPDATE - 22/09/2008
Disabled access to Capel Manor Gardens is superb. Much of the garden design (overall and individually within each garden) actually takes into account disabled access in a totally integral way. There are no 'special’ requirements that have been met, they just all have been as part of a commitment to enabling public access as unpatronisingly as possible. Do go at the next spell of good weather, you won’t be disappointed.

Your nose will think it’s in paradise as the sweet aromas from 30 acres of themed gardens waft over you.

There’s so much to explore here and all the gardens surround a
Georgian Manor House and Victorian Stables. There’s the Japanese Garden, Historical Gardens and the Jungle Gym Garden, designed by former pop star Kim Wilde.

My favourite is the Italianate Maze Garden, even though I’ve now worked out how to get to the centre of it. My first attempt took more than 10 minutes!

This place is really worth a look for a great day out, and if you’re a keen gardener you’ll pick up loads of ideas and inspiration!