The Horace Brueton Gardens

You'll find yourself wandering through what amounts to a living memorial - twenty-odd acres of gardens that Horace Brueton himself designed and planted, just outside Coventry. It's the sort of place where you notice the care immediately. Mature trees frame beds of shrubs and perennials arranged with a clarity that speaks to proper horticultural thinking, not the haphazard scatter you get at most local parks.

The gardens work best for people who actually like plants and design - gardeners will spend a good two hours picking apart the planting combinations, whereas kids hunting for a playground will lose interest inside thirty minutes. There's walking here, proper walking through different zones and along decent paths, so it's worth combining with a stay at Gate Farm Caravan Club CL or Somers Wood down the road - both lie within easy reach.

What makes it tick is the integrity of the thing. Brueton's vision has been maintained without the urge to bolt on novelty attractions or "visitor experiences". You get gardens as they were conceived. Timing your visit for spring or early summer will reward you with colour and structure, though autumn has its own appeal if you're keen on foliage and form.

It's free to enter and demands a couple of hours if you want to do it properly. Worth the journey from the car parks near Coventry if you're already in the area exploring other local attractions.