1. Cumbria

A lesser known talent of poet William Wordsworth was that of landscaping, and the 4.5 acre grounds he designed at his home Rydal Mount overlooking Windermere are still true to his original plans. And no, it's not all daffodils.

· 015394 33002, rydalmount.co.uk

2. Hertfordshire

At the Royal National Rose Society Gardens, near St Albans, the gardens have been relandscaped and show over 7,000 varieties, including small plots to inspire city gardeners.

· Opens June 9. Entry £5. 01727 850461, rosesociety.org

3. Wales

The Cors Restaurant and Gardens in Laugharne is home to an exotic variety of tree ferns, bamboo, rhododendrons and ponds. The restaurant specialises in the best local produce. Make a night of it and book one of the two rooms from £70 B&B.

· 01994 427219, the-cors.co.uk

4. Scotland

Bluebells are still in bloom but you'll have to hurry. Right now Glen Finglas, a 10,000-acre wood in the Trossachs national park, is a sea of blue.

· woodland-trust.org.uk. wt-woods.org.uk/glenfinglas. treeforall.org.uk for walks

5. Windsor

The biggest collection of native New Zealand plants in the UK opened this month at the Savill Garden, with tussock grasses, cabbage palms and silver-leaved astelias.

· 01753 860222, thecrownestate.co.uk

britainsfinest.co.uk/gardens features over 300 special gardens to visit