Farewell June - the best of English and French gardens

Through the garden gate at Upton Wold in Gloucestershire

The weather has been terrible in June, but it's still been a wonderful month of garden visiting, albeit a little wet sometimes! My gallops have taken me to Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Lincolnshire and Worcestershire, as well as further afield to Scotland and France. From the private gardens at Upton Wold (open by appointment to visitors) to the amazing restoration project underway at Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire.

Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire - currently being restored to their former glory

I've seen castles in England, including Lowther and Grimsthorpe, chateaux in France (all to be reviewed soon), glorious cottage gardens, including Stone House Cottage and Brook Farm in Worcestershire, and visited Giverny, Claude Monet's former home in Normandy, that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. And my feet have travelled faster than my I've been able to review here on the blog.

Giverny - Claude Monet's former home in France, draws visitors from all over the world

France is so easily accessible from England that the gardens of Normandy make a wonderful extension for south-coast garden visiting. You can get on any one of several ferries, or take the Chunnel and find yourself in a world where chateaux are the norm, and gardens come on a scale so grand, they'll take your breath away. I'll be reviewing all the wonderful gardens I saw in the next few months with suggested itineraries if you want to take a short break and combine the best gardens in a particular region.

Stone House Cottage gardens in Worcestershire

But never forget that small is beautiful, and we've got some of the best cottage gardens in the world right here in England! Particularly memorable is Stone House Cottage Garden in Worcestershire and nearby Brook Farm, which opens for the NGS this weekend. Get there if you can - you'll love both gardens.

Brook Farm, Berrington - open for the NGS this weekend - catch it if you can!

There are some real treats in July, starting with Hampton Court Flower Show next week. I'll be there on Monday, looking at all the show gardens and sharing them here on the blog. Hope you all have a happy weekend and that we see the sunshine!

For more gardens to visit in France and England, click here