Isabella Plantation

The rhododendrons here are absolutely sensational in late spring - walls of pink, purple, and white that stop you dead in your tracks. Isabella Plantation sits within Richmond Park, that vast London green space near Chessington, and it's a proper woodland garden that feels a million miles from the city despite being south-west London.

You're walking through formal enclosures, each one planted differently: Japanese-style areas with maples, streams, and wooden bridges sit alongside sections bursting with azaleas. The paths wind through about 40 acres, so it's not a quick dash - allow a good two hours if you want to actually enjoy it rather than just tick it off. The autumn colours are decent too, though spring is when this place genuinely sings.

This works best for garden enthusiasts and families who can handle a proper walk without moaning about the lack of ice cream vans. Older kids will explore the bridges and water features happily enough. If you're camping at Walton on Thames or visiting Chessington World of Adventures, you're within easy reach and the plantation makes a lovely, quieter afternoon when the theme park exhaustion sets in.

Free entry, though you'll need to pay car parking at Richmond Park itself. Go midweek in May if you can - weekends get rammed. The ground can be muddy in winter, so proper boots matter. Not everybody's cup of tea, but if you like gardens, this is absolutely worth the detour.