Sir Harold Hillier Gardens — Attraction in Test Valley

Whichever hour of whichever day of whichever time of year I visit the arboretum, I declare it is the best. Today, early winter, was the best for sure. I know my future self will disagree, but she is a fool who knows nothing. When else has low sun slanted through filigree acer leaves of flaming shades in that particular way?

I visit the arboretum squeamish of the mud everywhere else, but also because I can’t stop coming back. There is mud at the arboretum too if you want it, of course. You can leave the hard path with its mist miscanthus, bud-tinged oaks and swaying willows, and tromp into some damp meadow or dell. Today I spent some time wandering the curated route with my head lost in trees. A goldcrest bobbed, little thimble-bird, into a tree furred with lichens and moss. The next tree was blue with lichens, the next one after that yellow. The air is damp there, and cleaner than anywhere else. I stared at the mistletoe, wondering where it had been the rest of the year.

I left the hard path for a path of bright velvet moss, disturbing a silver moth from the leaf litter, and passed the large-eyed, wet-nosed cattle in the corner field who gazed at me hopefully. For what? I have nothing to give you, cows. But 10/10 for the excellent cows.

Habitually, I always walk the same clockwise route, through the pines, the oaks, the alders and willows. Up to the pond, with the lady and the queues of fish below. White flowers above still water. Past Jermyn’s house (the scaffolding alters my route, the travesty) and up the millennium borders, wondering why on earth I can’t make myself walk anti-clockwise for a change. But I like seeing what’s new and what’s the same. The eucomis are still absurd (like a stick pretending to be a pineapple) but the hellebores are a surprise. Today I get distracted off the path by a tree. No label. It’s got weird berries which I sort of want to poke, but better not. The crab-apples are weirder, because I swear they actually glow.

Everything is crowned in gold and silver. It’s jewelled by dew and berries. Gold berries, red berries, hot-pink-and-orange spindle berries. I walk over a carpet of gold gingko fans and excitedly spot some impressive mushrooms (Latin name: Instagramus worthyus) before suddenly wondering why everything’s decorated for Christmas. Undoubtedly, someone in head office called a meeting a few days ago while it was still raining and said, ‘More festive! Next week is December! Come on, they’ve put up fairy lights in the café. Why haven’t you done anything?’ and obediently the gardeners trooped out to decorate everything with gloss-red hips. I eye the perky robin suspiciously. He is in on it too.

To view the gardens it is best to put in your child-self eyes and be amazed by every colour, every scent, every abnormally large leaf. Then, if conditions are right, you will see it at its best. Today was the best. I make a mental note to come back when we next have good weather. That time will probably be the best too.

Tl;dr: Membership card was...

I booked this year’s Light Up Trail with great anticipation, after being utterly wowed at last year’s. I chose the same date, the 23rd Dec as it’s my Birthday and wanted to do something special. So disappointed to say it was not up to the same standard as last year. I’m not sure if this is the pattern or this year they had to cut costs or what. I paid the super peak price expecting wonderful theatrics amongst the magical displays. Two ladies welcomed us in costume (one on stilts), we saw two fire handlers (the children wanted to move on) and an acrobat just finished on a hoop (so we basically missed the act). I would not say the extra money was worth it. As someone else has mentioned compared to last year there were big gaps in the displays and we felt it. I expected to see a repeat of some things but very little felt new or a feast for the eyes. Last year we were mesmerised by a story projected on to a fern tree, we sat there watching it over and over, there was also a dancing scene projected on to a building which was so enchanting and the sheer number of lights hanging from a section of over hanging trees this time had some butterflies scattered about. There were no mirrors with lights in or mirrored walk through. I also thought moving the message banner was an error, last years spot had more of an impact. The area in front of the house last year was a feast for the eyes this year a solitary tree stood. The valley when the ground drops was the greatest disappointment, last year it was covered this year nothing but a light or two by the pond. I felt sorry for everyone looking over the viewing area. It’s lovely but when there’s so much competition and you have last year fresh in the mind you can’t help but be underwhelmed. I’ll be surprised if I make my family drive over an hour away again for it. I hope you’re able to bring 2025 back up to a...

Beautiful and breathtaking gardens in Hampshire with a variety of different gardens to see and things to do. The Gardens themselves are fairly vast and the walk around last approx. 2-3 hours and there are a number of gardens to see including Alpine Garden, Heather Garden, Magnolia Avenue, Bog Garden, Camelia Walk, National Collection Glade, Hydrangea Walk, Winter Garden and Centenary Border. All of these borders have splendid and spectacular array of colour to see and there is a nice diverse range of plant life to see including Palm Trees, Dahlias & Fuschias and the plant life is spectacular and breathtaking to see. There is some interesting features to see such as The Woodland Pigs which are friendly and you can catch a great glimpse of them in their pens and there is the Gurkha Memorial which is a great tribute to The Gurkhas and there is Jermyn's House which is very wonderfully iconic and is at the Centre of the Garden. The garden is fairly even ground and makes for a relaxing walk-around. The staff are super friendly and very helpful telling you what to see and where to go and there is a restaurant at Jermyn's House and a Cafe at The Courtyard Cafe selling a lovely range of food and drink at reasonable prices and there is a gift shop selling a lovely range of souvenirs at reasonable. Overall this is such a truly spectacular and lovely place to visit and makes for a wonderful and brilliant day out. Well worth a visit whilst in the area of...