Flower power
A host of daffodils
Around 40,000 visitors a year flock to see the golden wild-daffodil display in Farndale, in the North Yorkshire moors. On the banks of the river Dove between Low Mill and High Mill, the daffs were reputedly planted by monks from nearby Rievaulx Abbey. A double room at the Feversham Arms Inn, Upper Farndale, costs from £69 per night with breakfast.01751-433206, www.fevershamarmsinn.co.uk
www.farndale.org
Exquisite orchids
Hardington Moor in Somerset is a Natural England nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The best time to visit is July, when the fields are packed with a variety of plant species, most notably adder’s tongue, corky-fruited water-dropwort and large numbers of green-winged orchids. Quiet Woman House B&B in Halstock, Yeovil, costs from £75 per night with breakfast.020-3027 9779, www.hotels.com
www.naturalengland.org.uk
Butterfly vale
Another beautiful place for orchidspotting is on a steeply sloping area of the North Dorset Downs. With views across Blackmore Vale, the scrub and woodland provides shelter for butterflies, while the lower slopes are covered in a huge variety of wild flowers, such as the rare Early Gentian, in spring and summer. The Fox Inn, Ansty, Dorchester, is a four-star B&B, with rooms from £45 per night.01258-880328, www.anstyfoxinn.co.uk
www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
Floral paradise
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in the heart of the Norfolk Broads is a wild-flower paradise in June and July. More than 180 species flourish, such as wood speedwell, and yellow flag grows on the dyke edges, along with pink marsh willowherb and yellow loosestrife. Acle Bed and Breakfast, Acle, offers double rooms from £75.01493-754166, www.aclebedandbreakfast.co.uk
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden: 01603-270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk
Admire orchids in SomersetBluebell heaven
Enys Gardens, St Gluvias, Penryn, in Cornwall has a spectacular blanket of bluebells in the open meadow Parc Lye, and the Bluebell Festival takes place from 28 April to 5 May. The 30 acres include a flower garden, which is being restored to its former glory; a New Zealand garden reflecting former owner JD Enys’s plant-hunting interests, and many woodland areas.www.visitengland.com for accommodation ideas
Enys Gardens: 01326-259885, www.enysgardens.org.uk
Heather hills
August is ‘heather in bloom’ time, when you should head for Eildon Hills, just south of Melrose, Scotland, and possibly the best-known landmark in the Borders. The hills smothered with heather are a beautiful sight, so take some walking shoes and get out in the fresh air. Double rooms at Burt’s Hotel, in the picturesque market square of Melrose, cost from £133 per night.01896-822285, www.burtshotel.co.uk
www.visitscotland.com
Contact Wendy Gomersall at wendy.gomersall@lady.co.uk
In other news…
Wild thingsWilderness Scotland’s trip visits wildlife havens, such as the Cairngorms, Ardnamurchan and the Isle of Mull, looking for capercaillie, whales, seals, otters and the elusive wildcat. Departs 4 May or 8 June; six nights from £1,195 per person. 01479-420020, www.wildernessscotland.com
Austen power
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Pride And Prejudice, Cunard has a three-night, add-on Jane Austen tour in Southampton, either pre- or postsailing, on selected Queen Mary 2 Atlantic/European crossings in April to December. From £450 per person, it includes hotel, sightseeing and a visit to the author’s house in Chawton. 0843-374 2224, www.cunard.co.uk
Fish dish
The Ebrington Arms, Chipping Campden, hosts a monthly Fish Night. On 16 April, three courses cost £26. Rooms from £130. 01386-593223, www.theebringtonarms.co.uk