Browsing venues

Kirklinton, Carlisle, CA6 6BB, Tel: 016977 48292, Email, www.kirklintonhall.co.uk

Kirklinton Hall stands in 14 acres of Gardens and Grounds. At 70 ft above sea level, in its own hidden valley, it has a perfect microclimate for horticulture. Abandoned for 40 years, it is now being restored to production and beauty.

Honister Pass, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5XN, Tel: 017687 77230, Email, www.honister.com

The last working slate mine in England. Fully guided mine tours and Via Ferrata. Browse the visitor centre. Our Sky Hi cafe serves freshly prepared, locally sourced, pannins, soups and crepes.

Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ, Tel: 01229 717614, Email, www.muncaster.co.uk

Plants from all over the world, especially the Sino-Himalayan region, nestle in the wild splendour of over 70 acres of gardens with the dramatic backdrop of the glorious Lakeland fells. Many rare and unusual trees and plants flourish here.

Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF, Tel: 015394 36269, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hilltop

Beatrix Potter's lovely, traditional cottage garden is a haphazard mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. You'll recognise the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her egg, and the garden where Tom Kitten & his sisters played.

Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9RX, Tel: 01900 824805, Email, www.wordsworthhouse.org.uk

Meet some of the Wordsworth household and find out what life was like for the maid, the man servant and the clerk. Hear about the Cumbrian market town of the 1770s. Enjoy the signs and sounds of a working 18thC kitchen.

Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HG, Tel: 01931 712192, www.lowthercastle.org

For the first visitors, there'll be limited facilities but the opportunity to discover a garden that few have seen, and to see the conservation craftsmen and women at work on the castle and in the gardens.

Levens, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0PD, Tel: 015395 60321, Email, www.levenshall.co.uk

A Grade I Listed garden dating from 1694, through a combination of circumstance and love the gardens at Levens Hall have survived in their original design. The topiary is some of the oldest in the world and justifiably famous.

Town End, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH, Tel: 01539435544, Email, www.wordsworth.org.uk

Stroll around the delightful 'fellside' garden, a place of refuge, meditation and inspiration, where Wordsworth and his sister planted flowers, grew vegetables, and wrote their famous works.

Askham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2PF, Tel: 01931 712 348, www.askhamhall.co.uk

Take a stroll through our beautiful gardens with views of the River Lowther, visit our animals and enjoy something delicious in our Kitchen Garden Café.

Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0HB, Tel: 017684 86450, Email, www.dalemain.com

Enjoy the delightful and fascinating 5-acre Plantsman's garden set against the picturesque splendour of the Lakeland Fells and parkland.

Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LJ, Tel: 015394 46601, Email, www.brockhole.co.uk

Visitor centre with interactive exhibitions, Mawson gardens, adventure playground, shop and information centre. Lakeshore access for all.

Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0JA, Tel: 015394 33250, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle/

Wray Castle Grounds offer a great place for a stroll with amazing views of the local fells and access to Windermere Lake shore, all year round.

Hutton in the Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9TH, Tel: 017684 84449, Email, www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk

Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC additions. Extensive gardens in woodland setting walled garden, topiary, woodland walk and lake with cascade.

Cark in Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7PL, Tel: 015395 58328, Email, www.holker.co.uk

Family home to the Cavendish's, Victorian wing, glorious gardens and parkland, woodlands, food hall, gift shop and courtyard cafe.

The Old Laundry, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3BX, Tel: 015394 88444, Email, www.hop-skip-jump.com

In May 2009 we opened our first outdoor section of the attraction, The Peter Rabbit Garden. This has proved tremendously popular with visitors who have delighted in the beauty and attention to detail in the design.

Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8AD, Tel: 015394 41396, Email, www.brantwood.org.uk

Brantwood has unique and beautiful mountainside gardens, set in a 250 acre wood estate with spectacular views.

Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE, Tel: 015395 60951, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh/

You can visit just the gardens at Sizergh

Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SP, Tel: 017683 61893, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

This tranquil garden, sheltered by ancient oaks and soft terracotta brick walls, is a haven for wildlife. The herb garden is nationally renowned, with 250 medicinal and culinary herbs and the orchards are packed with traditional fruit.