2-for-1 Gardens - Wonderful Wildlife

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Threave

Home to Scotland’s bat reserve, Threave, near Galloway is teeming with winter wildlife. Look out for red squirrels in the woodland or catch a glimpse of the visiting geese. Peregrine falcons can also be spotted in the grounds, perching on the castle ruins. However, the real stars of the show are the breeding ospreys who begin visiting in March, following a long flight over from Africa.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dog: Not permitted
• Single Visitor Discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Threave in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme.

Visit the Threave website for further details.

Clumber Park

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, is a wonderful place to spot ducks, geese and swans. The serpentine lake is home to woodpeckers and birds of prey. If you’d like to escape the chills of winter, you can visit the 140m greenhouse, the largest of any National Trust property, inside the walled kitchen garden. The allied garden is also home to an impressive apple and rhubarb collection, the first shoots of which will be arriving any day now.

• Disabled access: Full access
• Dog: Permitted on the lead
• Single Visitor Discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments

Find out more about Clumber Park in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme.

Visit the Clumber Park website for further details.

Inverewe

Inverewe, Wester Ross, is a horticultural marvel, carved into rugged Scottish coastline. While the garden is home to both Nepalese rhododendrons and towering California redwoods, it is the native wildlife that steals the show, on land, in the air and in the sea. Easiest to spot are the red deer, but more elusive is a glimpse of the visiting golden eagle. However, the cutest of all visitors which can be found here are the romps of otters that call the loch their home.

• Disabled access: Full access
• Dog: Permitted on the lead
• Single Visitor Discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Inverewe in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme.

Visit the Inverewe website for further details.

Petworth House

The Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown parkland at Petworth House, in Sussex, is home to a historic herd of fallow deer. However, more recently, Petworth hosted the cast of Ridley Scott’s historical epic Napoleon. The Baroque interiors and Versailles-inspired architecture made it the perfect location for filming. The real life history of Petworth is just as impressive. The artist Turner stayed during one of his most productive periods, and his work still adorns the walls today.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dog: Permitted on the lead
• Single Visitor Discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Petworth House our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme.

Visit the Petworth website for further details.

Picton Castle

Picton Castle, in Pembrokeshire, is home to the Welsh Owl Garden and Zoo, home to 25 species of owls as well as a pair of otters. In springtime, the garden is a riot of colour, but for now there is an enchanting wintery stillness. Horticultural highlights to keep a look out for include papery snowdrops, pink azalea and fiery dogwoods and maybe even the first daffodils, heralding the arrival of spring.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dog: Permitted on the lead
• Single Visitor Discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments

Find out more about Picton Castle in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme.

Visit the Picton Castle website for further details.