Harlow Carr

[its hilly]

I've wanted to go to Harlow Carr for ages. Anyway last week m-i-l decided that trailing round Royal Highland show comparing the finer points of tractors and sheep was something she could give a miss to . So yesterday as an alternative we sent the boys (f-i-l, b-i-l and nephews-i-l) off to RH and he and I and her (don't shout at me Zaz, I know that's lousy grammer) went to Harlow Carr instead.
Wow...I can highly recommend it as extremely beautiful. Everywhere you turn there are gaps through planting which frame lovely views. And despite the fact that there was lots of new planting which obviously hasn't filled in yet there were some lovely beds. And stunning trees and plants. We came home with lots of new ideas, sore feet and a couple of Sempervivums which seemed to arrive at the till at the same time as us. NO idea how that happened (cough )

[Florence Fennel]

Sounds great Hilly and funny how nice things like sempervivums arrive at the till!

[GardenFaery]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time

[Peas'n'Kews]

Knew I'd heard of Harlow Carr but couldn't place it! Just for anyone else as iggerent as me, its in Yorkshire!
Harlow Carr / RHS Gardening

Looks delightful... Jealous!

[SarzWix]

I've been to Harlow Carr a few times, and every time it seems like the place is in the middle of some major re-planting scheme, and vast swathes of it are either bare, or waiting for plants to grow into their spaces. Wish they'd just leave it alone for a year or two and let it settle down!

[dogsbody]

I'm usually there two or three times a year (most often mid-spring & late summer) as it is the only 1 of the RHS gardens within a day's easy travel. I agree they do move and change things around, but it is the RHS's northern test bed. Arrive at the right time and it is fantastic, turn up when they are having a spring flood and it's not as picturesque.

The bird hide, if you have the time and interest is well worth a visit, seen many a different species there.

And of course, lunch at Betty's (expensive but nice!).

Glad you enjoyed yourselves Hilly.

[rpt]

Harlow Carr is great. My wife and I joined the RHS (originally through Tesco Clubcard deals) just so we could go there for free. We originally went as non gardeners because it's a great place to take the kids - it has a new tree house, log maze and the Log Ness Monster. There's always a sheet of things for them to look for (or smell or touch or listen for) plus they regularly have special activities e.g. an Easter egg trail. It was the vegetable garden that inspired me to take growing veg more seriously. The shop is good for plants and seeds although the gardening equipment is expensive but usually good quality. And no visit is complete without a cup of tea and piece of Yorkshire Curd tart at Betty's.

We've also been to RHS Rosemoor in Devon and I'm hoping to visit Hyde Hall in Essex when we next go to see my parents.