ParksandGardens, Caen

This incredible 17ha site overlooks the Baie de Seine and has fabulous views of the sea and port. Go through the fort's main entrance and start your visit at the top exploring the four bastions each dedicated to the great botanist explorers and their discoveries. https://www.lehavretourisme.com/en/diffusio/le-havre/les-jardins-suspendus_TFOPCUNORM00FS000AL

Located in St Malo, built by a 18th shipowners family, this beautiful Malouinière is still inhabited by the family, Magon family. The park is classified Historic Monument, takes place in 3 successive terraces with drop of water and moat south side, and a large square courtyard with a chapel of the 18th and 17th of common, north side. http://www.saint-malo-tourisme.co.uk/visit-saint-malo/attractions/museums-famous-sites/137736-malouiniere-de-la-chipaudiere

Located behind the Prefecture, this garden is maintained by the General Council of the Sarthe. Rather traditional in its design, it offers a resting place in the city center. Games for children. https://www.lemans-tourisme.com/en/partenaire/view/id/2919/category/20

All year round, you can discover and appreciate some iconic Breton animals at the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes. Many of these species, which are part of the region's living heritage, were saved from extinction by the Ecomusée and animal lovers. From the Coucou de Rennes or black Janzé chickens to the Pie Noire Breton cow, Breton horse, Chèvre des Fossés (ditch goat), West French White pig or Ouessant sheep, each animal has its own story to tell. https://www.tourisme-rennes.com/en/focus-on/breton-animals

Take a rather surprising tour of the flower garden at the château of Digeon, a magnificent property. The grounds comprise three different worlds: a superb rose garden, a large English-style landscaped garden and a curiously designed vegetable plot. 1 hour away from Amiens, it's well worth a visit! http://www.visit-amiens.com/tourinsoft/details/en_espacesnature/PNAPIC0800010717/PNA

This garden "of medieval inspiration" is a recent creation of the services of the Agglomeration of Beauvaisis. It was established in 2009 at the Maladrerie Saint-Lazare, a former leprosarium of the thirteenth century. It is an enclosed garden, structured by hedges of beech and beech. It includes several thematic areas: https://www.visitbeauvais.fr/fr/decouvrir/parcs-et-jardins/item/832-jardin-d-inspiration-medievale-de-la-maladrerie-saint-lazare#section-photo

The Tuileries Gardens take their name from the tile factories which previously stood on the site where Queen Catherine de Medici built the Palais des Tuileries in 1564. André Le Nôtre, the famous gardener of King Louis XIV, re-landscaped the gardens in 1664 to give them their current French formal garden style. The gardens, which separate the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde, are a pleasant place for walking and for culture for Parisians and tourists; Maillol statues stand alongside those of Rodin or Giacometti. The gardens’ two ponds are perfect places to relax by. The Musée de l’Orangerie, where visitors can admire the works of Monet, is in the south-west part of the Tuileries. From March to December, free tours in French are organized. Lovers of candyfloss and fairground rides will enjoy the Fête des Tuileries, from June to August. https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71304/Jardin-des-Tuileries

Boscombe Chine Gardens were developed originally from a ‘chine’ of heath and mire into a splendid Victorian garden, a central part of the then thriving Boscombe resort. https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/things-to-do/boscombe-chine-gardens-p903503

Brownsea Island is a wildlife sanctuary that’s easy to reach but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore. There is wildlife to spot and woodland to explore; outdoor activities to try and beaches to picnic on; birds to watch and trails to wander. Sample the scouting life at the Outdoor Centre; spend a night under the stars on our Eco Adventure Camping experience, or learn about intriguing tales of survival and adventure at the Trading Post. Wildlife spotters can follow waymarked routes through a wealth of different habitats from the sheltered lagoon and sweeping shorelines, to woodlands and heathland. As you wander, keep an eye out for the famous red squirrel. https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/things-to-do/brownsea-island-national-trust-p2360813

Southampton's most important historic building, Tudor House reveals over 800 years of history in one fascinating location at the heart of the Old Town. Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the family-friendly activities, interactive technology and fascinating displays and onsite cafe a winning combination. https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/business-directory/tudor-house-and-garden

A public garden with 18th-century boxwood. Municipal greenhouses. Botanical collections on the theme "plant gardens, customs and men". Accessible to the disabled. After the Alpine rock garden, learn about the evolution of plants with the systematic collection - food plants, medicinal herbs, plants used in different ways in industry. Educational beehive, focus on the Fabaceae (legume, pea or bean) family. Book exchange box also available. A great place for a walk, for discovery and/or improving one's knowledge (each plant is labelled). Relaxing, educational and good for exchanging ideas. Classed as a 'Remarkable Garden' since 2013. http://www.visit-amiens.com/tourinsoft/details/en_espacesnature/PNAPIC0800010931/PNA

Upton Country Park in Poole has over 140 acres of beautiful award-winning gardens, open parkland, woodland and shoreline, with stunning Georgian Grade II* listed Upton House as the centrepiece. Something for everyone to enjoy, whatever the season, so come along and see what has made Upton Country Park one of Poole’s premier attractions! The Country Park is open seven days a week from 8 am – 6 pm (winter timetable) or 8 am – 9 pm (summer timetable). Winners of two Dorset Tourism Awards 2017 - Venue & Busines of the Year and Dog-Friendly Business of the Year. https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/things-to-do/upton-country-park-p140023

Laid out between the Loire and the Cher, the botanical garden is the perfect place for a good walk. To the south, the arboretum contains hundreds of tree varieties in a scientifically fascinating garden. At the botanical garden of Tours, more than 150 genera and species of trees and shrubs are presented between the main entrance and the play areas to the south. Some trees are remarkable for their size, foliage or age. Let us first mention, at the entrance to the garden opposite the Hospital, on the left, an exceptional copy of Ginkgo biloba, "the tree with 40 ecus". Present from Doctor Bretonneau, a great lover of botany, it was planted in 1845. It is a male foot on which a female branch was grafted at the beginning of the XXth century. The animals were introduced into the botanical garden in 1856 to attract the public to this new public space. At the time, it was an acclimatization garden with animals such as monkeys or lions from circuses or the zoo. The best known of them remains Bobby the seal, which delighted the public until 1996. At present, the animal collection of the Botanical Garden to which the locals are still attached, is traditionally oriented towards exotic species: wallabies share their enclosure with emus. In the center of the garden, an aviary shelters parrots and parakeets. http://www.touraineloirevalley.co.uk/lodging-dining-goint-out/gardens-and-parks/botanic-garden-tours

Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide a permanent, stable home for abused Spanish beach chimpanzees. Today, his wife, Dr Alison Cronin, continues to work with foreign governments worldwide to stop the illegal smuggling of primates from Africa, Asia and South America. The site is now a 65-acre sanctuary for primates from across the globe. Many have been neglected, kept in unnatural conditions or experienced unbelievable cruelty, but here they can all enjoy the company of their own kind in a safe and natural environment. The primate care staff regularly develop and change the enclosures so their environment is constantly evolving on a yearly basis. With over 250 primates of more than 20 different species, Monkey World is the largest ape and monkey rescue centre in the world. In memory of Jim Cronin MBE, the Jim Cronin Memorial fund was established to continue his legacy and promote primate welfare worldwide https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/things-to-do/monkey-world-ape-rescue-centre-p1316523

Located on the banks of the Loire river, across from the Musée Jules Verne, the Carrousel des Mondes Marins seems to have been born in the belly of Île de Nantes, the city’s most maritime spot. http://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/machines-de-l-ile/the-carrousel-des-mondes-marins/presentation/

The Savill Garden is one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens. It never fails to charm visitors who come to explore its 35 acres of contemporary and classically designed gardens and exotic woodland. Developed under the patronage of Kings and Queens, The Savill Garden was created in the 1930s by Sir Eric Savill. The Savill Garden is a place of constant discovery, and of interlocking gardens, containing distinctive areas such as Spring Wood, The Summer Wood, The Hidden Gardens, The Summer Gardens, The Glades, Autumn Wood, The Azalea Walks and The New Zealand Garden. The Savill Garden mixes native and exotic species and has bred many important garden hybrids. Each ‘garden within a garden’ has its own attractions, and the gardens are ever-changing with every season bringing new colour and interest to delight the visitor. The Rose Garden takes a fresh and contemporary approach to display roses. The design creates an intense sensory experience with roses especially chosen for their scent, strong colours and repeats flowering. Visitors enjoy the perfume at its best, together with stunning views, from a walkway which appears to ‘float’ above the Rose Garden. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/the-savill-garden-p276241

Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, parts of which are open to the public. Its present area was determined in the 1360s and was popular with Saxon kings as a hunting forest. The park is shrouded in mystery and legend and for over 1,000 years the story of Herne the Hunter has been told. His ghost still appears wearing the antlers of a stag, riding a phantom black stallion at the head of a pack of black hounds. He appears to warn of times of trouble and gallops through Windsor Great Park only to disappear into thin air. The park today is the perfect place for picnics, eating, shopping, running, walking, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Families will love the children's play area near The Savill Garden. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-great-park-p236491

Fabled city mansion, stayed in by Charles II on eve of his restoration and the Satis House of Great Expectations. Superbly poetic interiors with a wonderful collection of English furniture and paintings, including several Gainsboroughs and Reynolds and rare Constable portraits. A good collection of English pottery and treen. The deliciously maintained twin-walled gardens of an acre now complemented by the ongoing restoration of monumental renaissance garden. https://www.visitmedway.org/attractions/restoration-house-2421/

Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John's historic sealing of the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215. Today Runnymede is the perfect place to relax outdoors or to pause and reflect on the history of the struggle for freedom. As well as a monument to the democratic legacy of the Magna Carta, you'll find further memorials to John F. Kennedy and the Commonwealth Air Forces. There are two art installations to be discovered in the meadows. The Jurors by Hew Locke is a collection of 12 bronze chairs sat in the meadow, each intricately decorated with designs depicting current and past struggles relating to democracy and freedom. Writ in Water is a major architectural artwork by Mark Wallinger, in collaboration with Studio Octopi. The large scale circular building features a labyrinth style entrance leading to a central chamber, where a pool sits below a central opening, reflecting in light from the outside. Celebrating the enduring significance of Magna Carta, this unique piece of artwork offers space for reflection and contemplation. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/national-trust-runnymede-p401181

Set amidst the extensive Home Park of Windsor Castle, Frogmore House is surrounded by fine and picturesque gardens. The house dates from the 1680s and was purchased for Queen Charlotte in 1792. Here the Queen was able to indulge her love of botany and laid out the garden with many rare and unusual plants. At one time the house was the home of Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent. After her death, her son-in-law, Prince Albert, commissioned the building of an elegant mausoleum to hold her remains. Queen Victoria was particularly fond of Frogmore's peaceful ambience and it became her favourite retreat. Victoria and Albert's love of Frogmore lead them to break with tradition and build themselves a much larger and grander mausoleum for themselves. Favoured also by King George V and Queen Mary, they used Frogmore for entertaining during Ascot Week. Today, with its handsome house and tranquil gardens, it is easy to imagine the love Frogmore inspired in its former residents. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/frogmore-house-p50923

Set right in the heart of London, Hyde Park offers both world-class events and concerts together with plenty of quiet places to relax and unwind. Dip your toes in the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, brave an open water swim in the Serpentine, or just admire the views across the lake from a waterside café. Have a go at boating, tennis, horse riding, or join the many joggers, walkers and cyclists enjoying the open air. Hyde Park has a long history as a site of protest, and still hosts rallies and marches today. Visit Speakers’ Corner on a Sunday morning to hear people from all walks of life share their views. Hyde Park is one of London’s eight Royal Parks and covers an area of 350 acres. https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park

Take part in a variety of water sports at Bray Lake! Enjoy Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Dinghy Sailing and Open Water Swimming. The Centre is open 7 days a week and offers equipment hire, holiday courses and private tuition. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/bray-lake-watersports-p281701

Based at Braywick Nature Centre, the Royal Borough's Countryside Service promotes awareness of the natural environment through our programme of events, walks and talks, and providing education sessions and advice to schools and other groups. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/braywick-nature-centre-p281691

Entertaining guided tours inside the Castle take you through secret doors and even across a haunted landing! Outside there are acres to explore and discoveries to be made. Children can earn themselves a Powderham medal on our nature trail, get stuck in to arts and crafts in the Nature Nook and even plant a seed to take home in our Potting Shed. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/powderham-castle-p2290733

Voted Devon’s best family attraction, Crealy Theme Park & Resort offers fun and excitement every day! During your day out, experience over 60 amazing rides and attractions including the adrenaline pumping rollercoasters Twister and Maximus, as well as water rides Tidal Wave and Vortex. Crealy also homes over 100 animals and for rainy days, you can enjoy over 75,000 square feet of the indoor play area and indoor rides and a rollercoaster! Crealy also offers a host of live events throughout the Devon School holidays including Summer shows, the SpookFest at Halloween and the extremely popular Christmas Spectacular. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/crealy-theme-park-and-resort-p154963

Devon Sculpture Park is the UK's leading smaller-scale rewilding project and environmental art centre, just a few miles south of Exeter City. Capability Brown gardens & main exhibition open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/devon-sculpture-park-p2720143

Pinces Gardens stands on the site of William Lucombe's nursery founded in 1720, most famous for his development of the Lucombe Oak. The nursery became Lucombe, Pince & Co. in the 1820s. By the 1880s the nurserymen had established the 45-yard long wisteria arch as the centrepiece of the garden, and a position that it retains today. Exeter City Council has managed the site since 1912. Today, the site is home to Pinces Gardens Bowling Club and the Pinces Gardens Croquet Club. The annual blossom of the wisteria arch attracts visitors every spring. The rose garden, planted in 2008, continues the Victorian theme of the garden. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/pinces-gardens-p763593

A family home and a great estate. Glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland with fine 18th-century house Would you give away your family home for your political beliefs? Sir Richard Acland did just that with his Killerton Estate when he gave it to the National Trust in 1944. Today, you'll find a friendly Georgian house set in 2,600 hectares (6,400 acres) of working farmland, woods, parkland, cottages and orchards. There's plenty of calm space in the glorious garden, beautiful year-round with rhododendrons, magnolias, champion trees and formal lawns. You can explore winding paths, climb an extinct volcano, discover an Iron Age hill fort and take in distant views towards Dartmoor. Off the beaten track, you can discover three of Killerton's hidden gems. Nestled by the River Clyst sits Clyston Mill, a working watermill. In the heart of Broadclyst you'll find Marker's, a medieval house steeped in history, and just a stone's throw away from Killerton House is a 1950's post office with a charming cottage garden. https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/national-trust-killerton-house-and-gardens-p131423

Located at the back of the Poitiers Town Hall, this new garden built on ancient remains uncovered after archaeological excavations, is popular with young and old with its children's playground, green lawn and furniture. garden on the model of that of the Tuileries Garden in Paris. http://uk.poitiers-tourism.com/le-jardin-du-puygarreau/poitiers/tabid/29120/offreid/777bd5dc-469c-4658-b5c4-a99f5586b95f/detail.aspx

Set in 33 acres of beautiful woodland on the edge of Dartmoor with some stunning views of the surrounding countryside, Dartmoor Zoological Park is a unique zoo with a fantastic collection of animals. These include tigers, lions, cheetah, jaguar and lynx (the largest variety of big cats in the region), bear, wolves, tapir, capybara, racoon, meerkats, monkeys, a fantastic collection of bugs and reptiles and much more. Home of the Hollywood film “We Bought a Zoo”, Dartmoor Zoo is a charity dedicated to wildlife conservation, education and research. It works hard to ensure that the development of the zoo does not have an adverse effect on the beautiful woodland environment which makes it quite unique among zoos. As a consequence, they have plenty of open spaces for the kids to run free and visitors are very welcome to bring a picnic and simply enjoy the surroundings. https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/dartmoor-zoological-park-p1362693

Queen Square is a magnificent Georgian park area in the heart of Bristol, surrounded by trees and cobbled streets. Nestled amongst Bristol's Harbourside and Old City areas, Queen Square is a popular retreat for nearby workers and visitors to the city who are looking to relax. The square also regularly hosts outdoor theatre, concerts and other major events, all against the backdrop of the magnificent Georgian town houses that dominate views across the square. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/queen-square-p38651

Cabot Tower, set in the gorgeous parkland of Brandon Hill near Park Street in the West End, is a 105ft tower built in 1897 to commemorate John Cabot's famous voyage from Bristol and the continent of North America four hundred years earlier. Brandon Hill is the oldest park in Bristol, where you can enjoy great views over the city and Harbourside area. Located just off Park Street in the West End, Brandon Hill features a children's play area, beautiful paths and a nature conservation area, and of course the icon of Bristol's skyline, Cabot Tower. Designed by the Bristol architect William Venn Gough and paid for by public subscription, the tower is built from red sandstone covered with cream Bath stone. Located in the centre of the park. It's free to climb up the steep, twisting steps of the tower, which is open daily. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/cabot-tower-and-brandon-hill-p24401

Dartmoor National Park is one of the last great wildernesses in the UK with an inspirational landscape of heather-clad moors and rugged tors. Dartmoor was designated as a National Park in 1951, a vast tract of the largely untamed countryside of huge richness and diversity stretching across 368 square miles. It's a landscape quite unlike any other, populated by lofty granite tors, mysterious hut circles and standing stones, ancient woodlands, sturdy clapper bridges, rushing streams, Dartmoor ponies, bustling stannary towns and secluded villages. This unique area has so much to see and do, but first of all, you must experience Dartmoor by actually getting out onto it, the National Park is most easily accessed by car, although there are options by bus if it’s a particular village you would like to see in general there is little public transport on to the moors. Walk, ride, cycle, canoe or even fish once you are on Dartmoor so that you can soak up its very special atmosphere. Another Dartmoor activity that has become very popular with families is letterboxing - you can find out more about this unique activity at the High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown. Dartmoor is also a wonderful landscape for you to enjoy Geocaching, https://www.visitexeter.com/things-to-do/dartmoor-national-park-p234193