The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden near Taunton is exactly what it sounds like - a proper rose enthusiast's project made public. You're looking at what must be several hundred varieties planted across beds that slope gently downhill, each section labelled so you actually know what you're looking at rather than just wandering past pink flowers wondering if they're worth your time.

It's a small operation, which is either its greatest charm or its biggest limitation depending on what you're after. If you're expecting Sissinghurst levels of grand garden theatre, you'll be disappointed. But if you're the type who likes to spend forty minutes studying Victorian heirloom varieties and reading about their provenance, you'll find it thoroughly rewarding. The walk through takes about an hour if you're properly interested, maybe twenty minutes if you're just passing through.

Best in mid-June when everything's in full flower, though there's usually something blooming between May and September. Spring visits before peak season mean fewer crowds and a slightly more intimate feel. It works well as a gentle outdoor stop if you're basing yourself at Middle Stone Farm Glamping nearby - close enough for a morning visit without eating into a full day's plans.

Families with young children might find it a bit one-note after the initial wandering - there's no playground or café to extend the visit. Photographers and gardeners, though, will find it well worth the trip from Taunton.