Galloping Gardener Walks © - Spectacular secret spring gardens!

Edenbridge House in Kent - open Tuesday to Thursday every week from 2.00-5.00 pm

Oh to be in England, now that April's there! It's spring time and I can't wait to get home! Friends keep calling and telling me about the weather, the gardens and the way all the bulbs are bursting into flower. I've had a great time here in Florida, but I do miss spring back home, and the moment my feet touch the ground there, I'll be visiting many new gardens, fresh with the flush of the season. But for now I just have to dream about them, like the rest of my readers!

Edenbridge House has its own Oast house (left) in the garden

Edenbridge House in Kent is one of the loveliest small gardens in England. It opens Tuesday through Thursday throughout the summer months from 2.00-5.00 and if you're in search of a quintessential English garden, this is one to put on your list. The glorious timber-framed house (not open to public) presides over one of the most lovely and immaculately-tended gardens in Kent. It's also right on the doorstep of Hever Castle, if you're heading out that way.

Tulips in bloom at Chart's Edge

Another equally glorious garden that's off the coach party track, is Charts Edge. You won't be able to combine this garden with Edenbridge House, as it only opens on Fridays and Sundays, but there are plenty of other lovely gardens in the area. This garden only opened its doors to the public in the last few years, but it offers everything you could want - wonderful planting; carefully placed sculptures and immaculate borders - especially the Rainbow Border which is in full bloom in April and early May. Real eye candy and not to be missed!

You'll find lovely woodland walks at Marle Place in Kent

Finish off your day with a visit to Marle Place - another secret garden that will enrapture you at any time during the garden bloom season. Home of a painter, who sells her work in the gallery there along with other artists, this garden has been created with real love, and offers absolute serenity in the heart of Kent. You feel as though you're in a private garden as you wander through landscape looking at sculptures, burbling streams and acres of glorious planting. Abundant planting everywhere, plus woodland walks.

Acres of alliums at Marle in May

And if alliums are your favourite (I'm crazy about them and will be doing a whole entry on where to see them in the UK next month), make sure you make it to Marle in May, when you'll find a whole meadow in bloom - definitely a sight to savour.

For more Galloping Gardener Walks©, where you can combine several gardens in a day, look at "Days Out" under the header. I'm adding more suggestions each week!