Spring is a wonderful time to visit a garden where you'll see new vibrant colour and planting that will inspire you for the year to come. Here are David Hall's suggestions regarding the best spring gardens to visit.
With the national collection of Japanese cherries, blossom time at Batsford is spectacular, also notable are the magnolias and acers in this lovely Cotswolds setting.
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
Although magnificent throughout the year, there are a series of walks through this 55 acre garden to admire narcissi, primroses, rhododendrons, wisteria and peonies.
Bodnant Garden, Gwynedd
A celebrated garden, transport yourself to the Himalayas by walking through the rhododendron-covered valley, and in May the laburnum arch is in full bloom.
Bowood House and Gardens, Wiltshire
The rhododendron woodland garden at Bowood House is one of the best in Britain. There are also magnolias, camellias, azaleas and many other spring flowering shrubs.
Branklyn Garden, Perthshire
World-renowned for its rhododendrons and rare plants including the blue Himalayan poppy, the rock garden has a wonderful display of alpine primulas, gentians and saxifrages.
Caerhays Castle, Cornwall
Beautiful 140 acre coastal location that owes much to Victorian plant hunters who established the garden's unique collection of camellias and over 600 species of magnolia.
Greenway Garden, Devon
A woodland garden above the River Dart that's at its most impressive between February and May when full of spring bulbs, camelias in the walled garden, and rhododendrons.
Nymans, West Sussex
Daffodils, hyacinths, camelias and maganolias in abundance with other rare and unusual species. Go on a guided bluebell walk, and admire the spectacular cherry tree blossom.
Ramster Gardens, Surrey
Woodland rhododendrons and azaleas are best in May together with masses of bluebells, there's also ancient magnolias, camelias, daffodils and primroses earlier in the spring.
Rowallane Garden, County Down
A visit to Rowallane will be rewarded with superb magnolias, daphnes and azaleas; snowdrops are followed by bluebells in the woodland; and the rhododendrons are particularly admired.
Sizergh, Cumbria
Lakeland daffodils cover the wildflower bank, cherry blossom flourishes in the Small Orchard and the superb rock garden is full of colour and interest with dwarf daffodils and Muscari.
Wentworth Castle, South Yorkshire
The restored formal gardens cover 40 acres and spring is definitely the best time to see a marvellous display of colour from camelias, rhododendrons, magnolias and azeleas.