Colby Walled Garden

Free entry gets you into this restored Victorian kitchen garden tucked away in the Carmarthenshire countryside, about a mile from Narberth. The high stone walls that give Colby its name create a lovely sheltered microclimate where herbs, vegetables and fruit trees thrive - even tender plants that would struggle in the Welsh weather outside.

Walking the gravel paths between the neat growing beds feels properly peaceful after the bustle of nearby Folly Farm or Oakwood. Gardening enthusiasts will spot heritage varieties and clever companion planting, while kids can usually find something edible to sample if the gardeners are about.

The restored glasshouses are the real draw though. Step inside and you're transported to a different world of exotic scents and carefully tended displays. Even in winter there's something green and growing to admire.

Half an hour covers the whole garden comfortably, though keen gardeners could easily linger longer picking up tips. It's well worth combining with other National Trust properties in the area if you're staying at one of the holiday parks like Little Kings or White Gate nearby. The lack of facilities means bringing a flask if you want refreshments, but that's a small price for such a tranquil spot that costs nothing to explore.