Spring is upon us, and Easter approaches. It’s time for the garden: if not your own – then somebody else’s will do! Fancy a spring garden break in Stirling, anyone?
Choose from Stirling Self Catering’s Garden properties
From Stronend Cottage’s panoramic views to the tranquil seclusion of Gladstone’s enclosed garden in the heart of Stirling’s King’s Park, most of our properties offer you private green space to relax, barbecue, or just let the kids explore. Our gardens are well-tended, furnished, and beautiful. And you don’t even have to weed. Find your perfect holiday garden amongst our properties here: https://www.stirlingselfcatering.co.uk/properties/
Got your base? Then create your own Stirlingshire garden trail
Many of Stirlingshire’s most beautiful gardens are open by appointment from 1 April (some are earlier). This is facilitated by the 86-year-old charitable foundation Scotland’s Gardens. They raise funds for deserving causes nationwide by asking a small entry fee to a wealth of private gardens. Why not create your own trail, visiting these secluded, hidden gems? Here’s just a handful closest to us…
Gargunnock House (open 13 March-September) lies just five miles from Stirling. Its mature walled garden boasts more than 40 varieties of daffodil blooming from April. In addition, there’s a house garden, woodland walks and arboretum. Take a picnic and enjoy it on the benches provided within its three-acre walled area. £4.00 entry. Children free. Details.
Kilbryde Castle covers an impressive 12 acres, just three miles from Dunblane and Doune. The gardens are divided into formal, woodland and wild. They come into their own in spring with a display of bulbs. In autumn you’ll find clematis and acer bursting into colour. Entry £4 by arrangement from 1 April, children free. For details.
Milseybank, just a quarter of a mile from Bridge of Allan, offers outstanding views from a beautifully tended terraced ascent. The adjoining woodland is a colourful canvas of bluebells, rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, as well as meconopsis. Entry £4 by arrangement from 1 April to 31 May. Children free. For details.
Thorntree, on a smaller scale, is a jewel-like country garden bedded to encircle its central courtyard. The short paths to the Apple Walk, Saltire Garden and Meconopsis bed also offer bonus views from Ben Lomond to Ben Ledi. Plants are for sale throughout the year. Entry £4 by arrangement from 1 April to October. Children free. For details.
For more information on gardens open throughout the year or by arrangement:
- Explore http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/
- And their 2017 guide is out now: http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/buy-the-book
- All photos supplied by Scotlands Gardens, and copyright Scotlands Gardens