GREAT GARDENS AND PARKS

This spectacular part of the world is famed for its natural landscapes, yet over the centuries Man's hand has also played its part in shaping nature.

Nowhere can this be seen more profoundly than in the area's beautiful gardens and parks.

Here are some of the most popular, attracting visitors from far and wide.

Acorn Bank The 17 th century Acorn Bank Garden at Temple Sowerby, near Penrith, has the largest collection of medicinal and culinary plants in northern England. More than 250 varieties are grown in a walled garden, including baneberry, blackroot, wild indigo and borage.

Brantwood Eight beautiful gardens are set in the 250-acre estate, overlooking Coniston Water, which was once owned by the poet, artist and great thinker John Ruskin. There are also pastures, ancient woods and high moors to be explored.

Brockhole Gardens designed by Thomas Mawson can be enjoyed while visiting the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, Windermere.

Castlebank This three-acre garden lay derelict for 30 years, but now within sound of the River Eden's weir visitors can walk under yew trees and across lawns bordered with beds of perennials and grasses.

Copt Howe This two-acre private garden at Chapel Stile, in the Langdale valley, is billed as �a plantsman's mountain paradise garden�.

Dalemain Gardens Set against a beautiful backdrop of wild Lakeland fells and tamed parkland, this five-acre garden forms an important part of the experience for visitors to the historic Dalemain House, near Penrith.

Fellfoot Country Park A lakeside Victorian park on the east shore of Windermere.

Graythwaite Hall Gardens A Victorian garden at Graythwaite, Ulverston, designed by Thomas Mawson. The garden offers tranquillity among the rhododendrons and a wide variety of shrubs and ornamental trees.

Grizedale Forest Park There are 2,500 acres of Lakeland forest park to enjoy here, with many walking and cycling trails. The forest is punctuated by sculptures.

Halecat Nursery and Gardens A medium-sized garden with nursery in a rural setting at Witherslack, near Grange-over-Sands. Halecat boasts �a large selection of unusual and interesting plants�.

High Beckside Farm Situated at Beckside, Cartmel, this semi-wild garden includes a conservation area with ponds and waterfowl. There are a large variety of plants and shrubs, around three acres of mixed woodland and 11 acres of wild flowers on a hillside overlooking Morecambe Bay.

Holehird Gardens This 10-acre hillside garden is run by a registered charity. There is limited disabled access and groups are admitted only by appointment.

Holker Hall Gardens A mix of extensive gardens, parkland and woodlands can be explored at Holker Hall, Cartmel.

High Cross Lodge A gently sloping garden at Troutbeck, Windermere.

Hill Top Garden The cottage garden at Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Ambleside, was an inspirational setting for Beatrix Potter as she wrote and illustrated her famous children's stories.

Hollace This one-acre garden at Torver, near Coniston, has lawns, herbaceous and heather borders as well as fruit and vegetables.

Hutton-in-the-Forest Extensive gardens in a woodland setting can be enjoyed at Hutton-in-the-Forest near Penrith. There is a walled garden, topiary, cascade and woodland walk.

Lakeside Garden An �impressive shoreline setting� is the boast for the lovely Lakeside Garden, which is part of the Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge.

Levens Hall Gardens The world famous topiary gardens at Levens Hall, Kendal, were designed by M Beaumont in 1694. There is also a fountain garden and nuttery.

Lindeth Fell Six acres of lawns and landscaped grounds can be explored at Lindeth Fell Country House Hotel, Bowness.

Matson Ground A notable feature of the Matson Ground estate in Windermere is the ornamental garden.

Mirehouse Gardens Poetry walks in the grounds are a special feature of this visitor attraction in a lakeside setting at Underskiddaw, Keswick. For the children there are woodland playgrounds.

Muncaster Castle Gardens A �meadow vole' maze is one of the features of this garden experience at Muncaster Castle near Ravenglass. The castle also has a plant centre.

Rydal Mount The beautiful gardens at Rydal Mount � William Wordsworth's former home at Rydal near Ambleside � are set against a dramatic backdrop of Lakeland fells and would have doubtless have been a major inspiration to the poet during the 37 years he lived there.

Scarthwaite This third of an acre garden at Grange-in-Borrowdale, near Keswick, �gives the impression of woodland�. There is a focus on naturalistic planting of herbs, hostas and bulbs and there are many varieties of hardy geraniums, clematis and other plants growing in profusion in the cottage garden.

Sizergh Castle Gardens This impressive and historic castle near Kendal has an equally impressive estate and gardens for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Stagshaw Gardens A woodland garden on a slope overlooking Windermere, Stagshaw Gardens at Ambleside boasts �a superb collection of rhododendrons and azaleas blended perfectly under the hillside oaks�.

The Acres An organic flower arranger designed this third of an acre garden at How Mill, which specialises in foliage and herbaceous plants. There is also a wildlife and pond area.

The Scented Rose Garden A new half-acre organic rose garden near Hesket Newmarket has been created at an altitude of 800 feet, �with marvellous views to Carrock Fell�. There are rambling and climbing rose arches and also a small ornamental vegetable garden.

Warth Sutton Cottage The �delightful� cottage garden at Warth Sutton Cottage, Crooklands, Milnthorpe, extends to one acre.

Whitbysteads This one-acre garden at Askham, near Penrith, is on several levels and surrounds a farmhouse (not open) on the edge of the fells with views over the Eden Valley. Whitbysteads features a variety of shrub roses, unusual herbaceous plants and geraniums.

Windy Hall A lovely garden at Windy Hall, Crook Road, Windermere, which is owner designed and maintained.

Williamson Park and Ashton Memorial The 54-acre Williamson Park in Lancaster includes �enchanting walks' and play areas as well as breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast and the Lake District. Other attractions include a tropical butterfly house and bird enclosure. The most distinctive feature in the park is the Ashton Memorial, a famous Edwardian folly on the skyline overlooking Lancaster.

Wood Hall Gardens The five-acre terraced garden at Wood Hall, Cockermouth, commands a panoramic view and is billed as a paradise for bird lovers, artists and gardeners. The garden also features summerhouses and ancient trees.

Yewbarrow House A new Mediterranean-style garden can be explored at Yewbarrow House, Grange-over-Sands.