1. Sissinghurst Castle Garden
The gardens at Sissinghurst are the stuff of poetry. Quite literally. Planted by poet Vita Sackville-West way back when, they’re now some of the most famous in England. Each garden has its own colour scheme, from the cottage garden in reds and yellows, the purple border with its mix of blues, pinks and lilacs and the white garden with gladioli, dahlias and anemones in – you guessed it – white. From May irises flash to life in their brief flowering window, turning the gardens into a sea of colour.
Getting here: 1hr 30min drive from London. Or 1hr from Charing Cross to Staplehurst, then bus.
£18 adults, £8 child. £3 parking for non-members. nationaltrust.org.uk.