Apple Court Gardens

Four acres of proper cottage garden splendour spread across the Hampshire-Dorset border, just outside Lymington. Apple Court Gardens feels like stepping into someone's very talented grandmother's back garden - if she happened to have impeccable taste and forty years of gardening wisdom. The gravel paths wind between densely planted borders where hostas jostle with Japanese maples and ornamental grasses create textural backdrops to carefully chosen perennials. It's the sort of place where every corner reveals another thoughtful plant combination.

Plant enthusiasts will be in their element here. The owners clearly know their stuff, and the labelling is thorough enough to send you home with a proper wish list. Less keen gardeners might find it a bit much after an hour or so - this isn't a place for kids to run about, though the peaceful atmosphere works well for a gentle family stroll.

Timing matters. Spring brings the woodland areas alive with bulbs, while late summer sees the grasses at their most dramatic. The garden works brilliantly as a quiet interlude during a New Forest holiday, especially if you're staying at one of the nearby Hoburne parks or the Shorefield sites. It's the sort of visit that sends you back to your holiday cottage with renewed appreciation for thoughtful planting and proper garden design.