If you are looking for some great gardens to visit in Europe then why not try some of the locations below. Whether you are visiting as part of a group, family or as an individual there are some great gardens to visit.

MOUNT STEWART – You can see the Strangford Lough from the gardens and the city of Belfast is only 15 miles away. Travel: Portaferry Road, nr Newtownards, 15 miles east of Belfast, off the A20. Open 1 May-30 Sept, daily (10am-8pm). Admission pounds 3.90, children pounds 2.10, NT members free.

THE EDEN PROJECT – Project Eden has made the headlines more than any other garden project in the last thirty years. Travel: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall. Admission pounds 10, OAPs pounds 7.50, students pounds 5, children 5- 15 pounds 4, under-fives free. Open all year, except Christmas Eve and Day (summer opening 9.30am-9pm).

ARLEY HALL – This is one of the oldest and finest gardens, Arley Hall is home to herbaceous shrubs and perennials. Travel: Great Budworth, Cheshire, five miles north of Northwich, signed from M6 and M62. Open mid-Apr-Sept Tue-Sun and bank holidays (11am-5pm). Admission pounds 4.50, concessions pounds 3.90, children 5-16 pounds 2.25, under-fives free.

EDINBURGH BOTANIC – The RBG, or Royal Botanic Garden, is the garden in all of Scotland. What is even better about this beautiful place is that it is completely free. Travel: Off A902, one mile north of the city centre, entrances at Inverleith Row and Arboretum Place. Open daily all year, except Christmas and New Year (10am-4pm, to 7pm Apr-Sept).

ARBORETUM KALMTHOUT – The finest collection of trees and shrubs in Belgium, and possibly Europe. Travel: Heuvel 2, Kalmthout, on N117, 8km from the E19 motorway, exit 4. Open mid-Mar to mid-Nov daily and during the Hamamelis Festival in Jan and Feb (10am-5pm). Admission EUR4, concessions EUR3.50, children EUR2.

SISSINGHURST – Representing the efforts and dreams of many British gardeners, this walled garden is a testament to the ones who built it.  Travel: Nr Cranbrook, Kent. Open late Mar-2 Nov. Mon, Tue, Fri (11am-6.30pm), weekends and bank holidays (10am- 6.30pm). Admission pounds 6.50, children pounds 3, NT members free.

ALNWICK CASTLE – Due to the extensive renovation work that is currently being down on the 12 acre walled garden, Alnwick Castle is very new to the scene. Travel: Alnwick is 35 miles to the north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Open year round, except Christmas Day (10am-8pm or dusk). Admission pounds 4, concessions pounds 3.50, under-16s free.

WISLEY – This remarkable garden has done well despite poor soil and being too close to nearby roads. Travel: Surrey, seven miles north of Guildford on A3. Open year round, Mon-Fri (10am-6pm), weekends (9am-6pm), Nov-Feb to 4.30pm. Admission pounds 6, children pounds 2.  www.rhs.org.uk/ gardens/wisley.

SHEFFIELD – The Sheffield Botanical Gardens date back to the 1830s. Travel: Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, south-west of the city centre. Open in summer on weekdays (8am-7.30pm) weekends (10am- 7.30pm) pavilions (11am-5pm). Admission free.

GIVERNY – Claude Monet’s garden. It is almost like a dream to walk through.  Travel: Rue Claude Monet, Giverny, 4km from Vernon, south- east of Rouen on the N15, 70km west of Paris. Open Apr-Oct, daily except Mon, 9.30am- 6pm.