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For a breath of fresh air, head to a National Trust garden across the county to sample what spring has in store.
EMMETTS GARDEN, IDE HILL, SEVENOAKS
Marvel at thousands of blooming tulips carpeting the lawn at the garden near Sevenoaks. At the height of spring around every corner beautiful blooms fill the air with sweet scents and blushes of colour at Emmetts Garden. The gardening team have been planting thousands of tulip bulbs in the tulip meadow, with shades of pink, red and black peeking out across the grass. Later in spring, more than 80 species of rhododendron and azalea will shower the area with a colourful display and the vivid hue of bluebells will carpet the woodland.
SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN
Early spring heralds the opening of the garden at Sissinghurst and the start of the horticultural story that unfolds throughout the following months. The planting in Lime Walk will gets things off to a start with beds of tulips, fritillaries and hyacinths marked out by an avenue of limes. Visitors will also be able to enjoy splashes of colour as terracotta pots dotted about brim with early flowers.
IGHTHAM MOTE, NEAR BOROUGH GREEN
The garden at Ightham Mote bursts into life in spring with snowdrops making way for daffodils and as spring progresses, cherry blossom creates a frothy canopy on the eastern terrace, followed by apple blossom in the orchard. In the north pleasure grounds, visitors can see the more elaborate blooms of camellias and rhododendrons take centre stage.
GARDENS: NOT JUST FOR GROWN-UPS
If some of the family groan at the idea of visiting a garden, the National Trust has plenty of other ideas for what else to do when looking at flowers doesn’t cut the mustard.
The trust’s 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11¾ campaign aims to encourage you - and more importantly the kids - out in the fresh air. The idea is that you would have become become a seasoned adventurer by the time you manage to tick all 50 challenges off your list. Here’s just three of the suggestions to try...
No.4: Build a den. Building a den using natural woodland materials is one of the coolest activities for the 50 things. You’ll need: branches, twigs, leaves, mud and... your hands.
No.6: Run around in the rain. All you need is rain, some waterproof clothing, wellies and yourself.
No. 17: Snail races. Snails move super slow so it’s best not to give them too far to race, but that’s not all you need to think about. Once the race has been run, pop your snails back where you found them.
* For more information on days out with the National Trust across the South East, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast
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