What to do in England, events, ideas for the weekend, places to go

Travel Pod is a great source for travel ideas, it has been around for a good while and is packed with inspiration from around the world and closer to home too. Features Free Travel Journals / Travel Blogs / Travel Websites / Travelogues! ( Since 1997 )

What an excellent idea, rent all terrain prams, baby carriers, baby monitors and much more in the Ambleside area of the English Lake District http://www.thelakelandbabyco.co.uk/

The Chelsea flower show has been on our to do list for a couple of years. Whilst living in New Zealand until recently, we have watched the BBC coverage enviably from a large distance. This year however, we bought tickets as soon as they came available. Chelsea sells out fast.

A rich variety of horticultural inspiration, Chelsea has something for everyone. Ranging from wildy expensive show gardens to the more modest city gardens, no matter what your gardening taste and budget a day at Chelsea is an opportunity to discover the latest trends or enjoy some old favourites.


The Cancer Research UK Garden


Merrill Lynch Garden


Dairmuid Gavin Garden
He always seems to generate controversy at Chelsea. I felt his garden was more about this than horticulture. Very bland and more talked up than actually good. He can talk the talk but this garden didn't impress me.


Giles Landscapes Wildlife Trust Garden
I loved this garden, especially the way it was aimed at attracting bees and wildlife. The environmentally friendly building was also noteworthy for its' green roof.


Charlie Dymock escapes the 29degrees sunshine. The BBC celebrities were floating around all day, it was fun trying to spot them all.

Set amongst hundreds of acres of grass parkland littered with ancient oaks, Blenheim Palace. The gardens are free to any RHS members. It was the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill.



Blenheim is home of the Channel 4 Garden Challenge gardens, an excellent melting pot of ideas to pour over. There are approaching 100 inspiring gardens from the Channel 4 Garden Challenge.

We have just had a wonderful afternoon discovering some hidden gardens in Kerridge, Macclesfield.


We would never have imagined such variety and imaginative horticulture in such a small area. Why not try the same yourself. The National Gardens Scheme coordinate thousands of private gardens open to the public for a day throughout the year. From the humble terraced house to stately homes not normally open to the public, it offers a wonderful opportunity to get behind closed gates and help raise some money for charity too.

Sour Milk Ghylll, Grasmere, in the Lake District is a simple ramble from the village which is both relatively level and rewarding. Taking you through idillic field largely free from roads and car noise too. A suitable introduction to the Lakes for children and adults alike.

Without exception, this is my favourite nursery for hardy perenial plants. Such an inspirational atmosphere, with mature examples of most plants spead amongst romanesque ruins and statues. The range of plants are enough to keep even those with the most challenging requirements happy.

After pouring over the plants don't forget to visit the extraordinary cakes in the atmospheric cafe built in a barn conversion featuring stain glass made from whole wine bottles. No visit is complete without a trip the the lavatory, trust me, you will have to go to find out why!

Lach Cottage Nurseries.

With over 1000 acres of beatiful parkland, Tatton Park is the perfect day out from Manchester, Warrington or nearby Knutsford. The huge areas of wooded park land are a joy to explore on foot. We encountered several herds of deer enjoying the shade underneath these great trees.

The gardens feature well maintained formal areas at the front of the house, large kitchen gardens, a noteable japanese garden and a traditional beech hedged maze.

For the shopaholic there is an excellent outlet for the estate produce featuring a wide range of fayre from local cheeses to venison steaks.

Tatton Park.

A reluctant tiger at the 2005 Bollington Festival Parade. Heart warming stuff as the whole village turned out to either walk in costume or cheer on heartily. There are so many great traditions in England if you keep your eyes open. A great source for ideas is the wonderful Country Living magazine.

Bollington Festival 2005

If you are looking for information about Yorkshire including accommodation, events and places to visit YorkshireVisitor.com is the official site for the county.

Days Out UK is a superb site if you are hunting for something to do in the UK.

If you are in the Macclesfield area hunting for a superb cafe, you can do no better than go to Arighi Bianchi. Expect to pay £4 for a slice of cake, but it will be amongst the bet you have ever tasted. Head for the top floor.