The  25 acres of gardens at  Newby Hall near Ripon in North Yorkshire are on a grand scale with highlights in every season.

The garden, in its current form, was laid out in the 20th century by the grandfather of  the current owner, Richard Compton.  The family have owned the Hall since 1748. Among the star attractions in the summer and early autumn are the magnificent double herbaceous borders, which are some of the longest in Europe. The lawn between them leads down to the River Ure and forms the axis from which paths lead to the many other gardens. www.newbyhall.com

The National Trust has just unveiled its latest holiday cottage – the Priest’s House at Sissinghurst.  Stay there and you get the freedom of this iconic garden in the evenings and on Wednesdays when it is closed to the public. The cottage has been beautifully converted – and as estate agents are fond of saying – it is deceptively spacious.  The main bedroom overlooks the White garden and there are two more twin bedrooms, two bathrooms, 2 sitting rooms and a kitchen dining room. For more information go to www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk

Courtyard Garden

We’ve just been to a fund raising evening at Great Dixter in aid of a local charity.  The garden was looking wonderful, especially in the soft evening light (after the thunderstorm had passed!) and brought home to me just how good the planting is in this very special garden.  Head gardener Fergus Garrett gave a hugely entertaining illustrated talk showing how they assemble their magnificent arrangements of potted plants either side of the porch and in the Courtyard (it changes every 2 weeks).  I woke up with a pulled muscle in my back the next morning – I think it was the thought of lugging all those pots around.  If ever you see that Fergus is giving a talk, do go – his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge is second to none.

French Gardens Today runs top notch garden tours in Normandy and Brittany. The gardens are of the highest quality and many do not open to the general public. The tours are led by Clare Whately who has a nose for a fine garden and seemingly magical powers of persuasion – not only do the owners open their gardens for her, they act as hosts and guides and some even host lunches for the group.  There are two tours in September – an all-inclusive  weekend from Friday the 10th to Monday 13th in Lower Normandy and the Cherbourg Peninsula, and an Independent Weekday Tour from Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th on the Cotes d’Armor on the north coast of Brittany.

Chateau de Vauville

The Chelsea Physic Garden has a programme of late openings and evening talks on Wednesdays until the end of August.  The gardens are open from midday until 10pm (last entry 8.30pm) and the  talks take place at 6.45pm. When booking your tickets be sure to reserve a table at their wonderful café which serves delicious food at very reasonable prices.