Holidays in England

Welcome - The saying is Cast not a clout until May is out, meaning that you may need your extra layers until the end of May. So now we are in June and the weather is warmer although still inclined to showers.

The Chelsea Flower show has just ended but there are many more to come in June and July. Cheshire in the North West of England is holding the 2008 Year of Gardens Fesival (http://www.yearofgardens08.com). One of the most frequented events is the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park near Knutsford in Cheshire. The Royal Horticltural Society will be showing pioneering show gardens, marquees and of course opportnities to shop. The dates for public viewing are 24-27July 2008 and admission is £21 per adult. Tatton Park is open all year round and hosts many exhibitions. The Orchid Festival between the 7th and 15th of June is another example.
Every year gardens open for charity under the National Gardens Scheme (http://www.ngs.org). These are gardens not usually open to the public which open on specific dates. You can obtain the calendar from the website above. Other gardens you might like to visit include
* Abbey House gardens Wiltshire - 5 acres of garden created by the famous Naked Gardeners. You'll see a vast colection of plants, an unusual herb garden in this setting near to the former Benedictine Abbey.

* Knebworth House Gardens and Park - 25 acres of traditional Victorian and Edwardian gardens.

* Longleat in Wiltshire, famous for the safari park, but don't miss the Capability Brown landscaped gardens ,

* RHS gardens at Wisley - there are 200 accres of gardens operated by the Royal Horticultural Society so as you would expect there is a lot to see. Allow at least 4 hours for this visit

* Hampton Court Palace Gardens Surrey - 60 acres of formal gardens, and 750 acres of parkland accompagny this royal palace, strongly associated with Henry VIII and his many wives.

* Sandringham Norfolk - 60 acres of colour all year round. Take a guided tour to truly appreciate it.

* The Eden Project Cornwall - This massive project contains a set of giant global domes , and occupies an area equivalent to 30 football pitches. It is one of the foremost attractions in Cornwall, near St Austell. For a hotel in St Austell try Superbreak You can buy tickets to the Eden Project from them

If you are thinking of visiting the gardens at Wisley as well as Tatton Park consider becoming a member of the RHS. For £77 you get free or reduced entrance to many of the RHS gardens (http://www.rhs.org.uk). It is usually worth checking if you can benefit yourself and the attraction by becoming a member. For example you can help support the British museum, the Tate Galleries and the Eden Project by paying just a little more. This entitles you to member benefits well worth having, even for a short stay. If you are a UK resident there is even more benefit.

Perhaps your choice is for culture rather than flowers. Liverpool is the City of Culture 2008 and is very proud to be hosting the first Klimmt exhibition in the UK at the Tate Liverpool. It is on from now to the end of August. Liverpool has much to see, especially this year. Why not visit the magnificent cathedral, the Tate Liverpool and enjoy a boat trip from Liverpool to Manchester on the Manchester Ship Canal during the summer.

Other places you might like to visit are:

* Visit Cadbury's World Birmingham

* Visit Chester Zoo

* Visit the Sealife Centre Brighton

* Visit the Sealife Centre Blackpool

* Jodrell Bank Observatory is now open

* Visit Whipsnade Zoo

* Have a meal at the Royal Pavillion Brighton

* Take a ride on the Wheel of Manchester to see the breathatking views of the whole of Manchester

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