It’s the kind of woodland garden that words can’t easily describe. Nestled in the heart of the ever-popular Richmond Park sits the Isabella Plantation, ready to wow visitors. While a visit at any time of the year is a treat, it’s during the months of April and May when the camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons are in full bloom that the space is at its most spectacular. During these months the riot of colour is unrivalled – pinks, reds and purples line the ponds and streams and look like the most colourful carpet.

Having never visited the park before I was amazed at the drama that this floral sight created – everywhere I looked there was another picture-perfect scene. As you’d imagine, such a site draws the crowds, but during our visit there was a calm within the park perimeter that felt like a respectful hush, in awe of the space and its many exotic and native plants. At 40 acres in size, there are lots of little nooks and crannies and winding paths over babbling streams – all making for the perfect game of hide and seek.

It was by the pond that I took my pause, to sit down and drink in the view . (Attempting to capture the sight on camera too, of course!) It’s perhaps unverified but I think picnic food tastes even better when surrounded by such beauty. After a brief time refuelling in contented silence, we left the park with smiles on our faces, resolved to make this an annual springtime pilgrimage.

Images by Ruth Garner

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Positioned on a sweeping hillside beside the beautiful Dart estuary is the National Trust’s Greenway House and Gardens. With a long and fascinating history, this gorgeous Georgian mansion most notably played host to author Agatha Christie who declared it ‘the loveliest place in the world’.

Walking around the carefully preserved rooms, I could easily see why Christie loved it so – I was ready to move in. Avid collectors, Christie and her family filled Greenway with many objets d’art – archaeological finds, silver and botanical china, not forgetting a library laden with books. We were lucky enough to time our visit with the history talk by volunteer Ken. His knowledge about the rich and varied events in the house’s past was unparalleled and breathed life into the very walls of the building.

Outside, the gardens are just as enchanting. Being spring, it was a joy to see the trees and plants bursting into life, lining the paths with magnificent magnolia, camellia and rhododendron, not to mention cascading carpets of primroses, snowdrops and hellebores. As someone who is trying to up my photography skills, the gardens were the perfect excuse to try out my macro setting.

I’d also recommended you follow the trail down the hill to the banks of the River Dart, where a beautiful boathouse sits. You won’t regret it. Once used as a murder scene in Christie’s work ‘Dead Man’s Folly’ it’s currently being restored it to its former glory.

After taking in the breathtaking view from the top garden, all that was left was for us to wander back to the on-site cafe for a spot of tea and cake, or even a warmed sausage roll in my case! So delicious. Inevitably, the allure of the shop won me over, in particular the promise of taking a little Greenway’s magic home with me in the form of a rose bush named after the famed author.

Images by Ruth Garner

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