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OTGF - Can you help, dear friends!!!!

• Message 1. 

  Posted by susie-snowdrop (U2989562) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Hi All, me again!!!! OH and I have decided to spend this years hols in the UK. We'd like to visit Dorset and Somerset as neither of us have been there before! Can any of you lovely people recommend places to visit and nice places to stay? We do prefer staying in hotels or old country Inns!! I've looked at various websites but you can't really get a feel of place from them. Any point in the right direction will be great and, I shall bring a pressie back for you all
  
  Susie xxx

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by susie-snowdrop (U2989562) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  ....Lottie, if you're looking in, I've sent you a pm

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Gardenmouse (U2443843) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Hi Susie,
  No, I don't know of any, but I strongly recommend Alastair Sawday's books (Special Places to Stay series). There's one on places for gardenlovers! The library might well have copies, if you don't feel like splashing out. I have always agreed with their choice of places, but you would need to have a check in each book because their selections are rather thin on the ground in some areas.
  GardenMouse

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Juliet (U2196646) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Hi Susie,
  
  Can't help you with Dorset, I'm afraid, or places to stay (we only do cottages) but we've had several holidays on the Somerset/Wiltshire border. I think the nicest garden we went to in Somerset was Barrington Court:
  If you're members of NT (or think it's worth joining during the holiday), Montacute House (which is a big swish house with an art gallery & nice restaurant, if I remember rightly), Tintinhull Garden (which is nice but really small), & Lytes Carey Manor (which is OK but nothing special) are all in the same area as Barrington.
  
  Can't remember offhand where else we went in Somerset - spent most of our holidays going to places in Wiltshire - but will get back to you if anything comes back to me. Let me know if you're going to be near enough to want any recommendations in Wiltshire/Avon though - I have a lot of those!

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• Message 5

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  Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Hi SS - there is a wonderful garden in Avon called PA's back yard !!!!
  Free entry as well !!!
  take care - PA

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by susie-snowdrop (U2989562) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Thanks peeps for your help
  Juliet, the places you mention sound wonderful, might even venture into Wiltshire!!
  P.A., Would love to venture into your back yard for a couple of hours!!! Never been in the company of royalty before so you'd have to take us as you find us. Will teach OH how to bow properly though!!
  Susie xx

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Margi (U2334861) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  And I've got a spare double bed if you care to stop off in Rochdale area on the way!!!
  
  Margi x

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• Message 8

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  Posted by princessanabana (U2421659) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Not sure my back yard would keep you occupied for a few hours ( although it does me !! - I could sit or work there all day...)- will put a few bottle of champers on ice to kill some time !!!! Feel free to visit - not in yellow pages/ book (?) yet but give me time !!!!
  Take care - PA

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by plantaholic (U3147925) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  And if you make it to Rochdale I'm not so far away in Pendle Witch country!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  plantaholic x

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by 8supermum (U2768246) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Susie
  
  Try this site:
  
  
  Its run by an Alison who's own website is www.gantsmill.co.uk who does B & B, I'd like to visit as we live in an old mill too, but I came across the other site in a booklet they produce, seems to have everything you need in it...

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Juliet (U2196646) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Well, if you do venture into Wiltshire, I'd recommend Lacock Abbey & village:
  
  Stourhead:
  
  and The Courts garden:
  
  - the latter is very small & has no facilities (unless you take Andy's wellies!) but an absolutely beautiful garden & is well worth a visit (& there are facilities in Bradford on Avon, which is just down the road).
  
  There's also Heale House garden near Salisbury:
  which is one of my favourite gardens anywhere.
  
  And if you or OH like castles as well as gardens, I'd recommend trips to Farleigh Hungerford:
  
  and Old Wardour:
  
  
  Will post again tomorrow if I think of anything else!

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by DrBill (U2912709) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Hi All, me again!!!! OH and I have decided to spend this years hols in the UK. We'd like to visit Dorset and Somerset as neither of us have been there before! Can any of you lovely people recommend places to visit and nice places to stay? We do prefer staying in hotels or old country Inns!! I've looked at various websites but you can't really get a feel of place from them. Any point in the right direction will be great and, I shall bring a pressie back for you all
  
  Susie xxx 
  
  Dorset is one of my favourite counties. The coastline is beautiful.
  
  I can recommend the sub-tropical garden and swannery at Abbotsbury. Chesil beach and the Fleet are wonderful. And Portland Bill is breathtaking
  
  God Bless
  Bill

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by U2331885 (U2331885) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Susie. What are you looking for from your holiday? Gardens or other stuff? Somerset to Dorset is like my beloved Yorkshire - VAST!
  
  Obviously, I know no-one in Somerset but someone told me that the wonderful city of Bath is pretty good I can give you a few pointers on places to visit (but not on hotels etc) if you do decide to come. Dorset is also where MadMary1948 lives, so also pester her...

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by U2331885 (U2331885) on Wednesday, 19th April 2006

  Well, if you do venture into Wiltshire, I'd recommend Lacock Abbey & village:
  
  Stourhead:
  
  and The Courts garden:
  
  - the latter is very small & has no facilities (unless you take Andy's wellies!) but an absolutely beautiful garden & is well worth a visit (& there are facilities in Bradford on Avon, which is just down the road).
  
  There's also Heale House garden near Salisbury:
  which is one of my favourite gardens anywhere.
  
  And if you or OH like castles as well as gardens, I'd recommend trips to Farleigh Hungerford:
  
  and Old Wardour:
  
  
  Will post again tomorrow if I think of anything else! 
  
  Well done Juliet you've summed the area up very well! To add to the list just supposing you were a ex-ballet dancer with Italianate leanings I would also recommend the Italian gardens at Iford (I might be able to sneek you in for free).

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by superDAT (U3190246) on Thursday, 20th April 2006

  May i recommend you buy or download a West country map , you will see the west country is a penisula at the base of UK.
  Start your touring at any point north of the penisula and work your way down to Lands End and back around the south coast. the counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall are each different landscapes.
  In each city you will find an Informatiom Burea with so many leaflets to pick up you will never be short of where to go plus accomadation available that night.
  Accomadation is varied according to price you estimate to pay I suggest you go on line to the various Counties and find accomodation for the first few days.
  Our coach service WWW National Express are very reliable, and tickets can be booked and paid for online. it covers the whole of the country from the airports to the extremities of our country even to the continent.
  The rail fares are very expensive.
  Look up timings and coach routes then buy your tickets then book your accomadation.
  Good luck from --- Bath Somerset, any other probs just ask.
  

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by Madmary (U3568971) on Thursday, 20th April 2006

  Hi SusieSnowdrop, just spotted my name on this thread. Yes I do live in East Doset, almost in Hampshire, right on the border. We have only been in this part of the country for a few years, but I'll do my best. I agree with a previous post about Abbotsbury, and not too far from there, near Weymouth is Bennetts Water Gardens (www.waterlily.co.uk). North of Poole is Stapehill Abbey, at Stapehill , Wimborne, just off the A31, and also near Wimborne is Kingston Lacy (that's N.T.). Knoll Gardens, gold medal awards at Chelsea for grasses,(www.knollgardens.co.uk) is also not far from Stapehill, about 4 acres, grasses and perennials, and some of the nicest eucalyptus trees. Kingston Maurward at Dorchester doesn,t seem to have a website (Tel. 01305 215003).Down in Poole is Compton Acres, a privately owned garden (www.comptonacres.co.uk) (went there last week!) and if your'e so inclined you can visit Poole Pottery on the same day, and for a small fee, paint your own pot! The only one I know in Somerset is Forde Abbey near Chard. This should give you a start and I'm sure there are lots more out there.
  Mary x

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by Lottie (U2331125) on Thursday, 20th April 2006

  Oohhh Madmary - you have just reminded me of many yuckky caravanning holidays in the New Forest - we had to visit Poole Pottery every time we went - have you got a Poole Pottery Dolphin? And the nice short walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door a definate 'must do' on a windy day!!!
  
  The New Forest is lovely Susie - Don't let me put you off! Smashing Clotted Cream Teas!
  
  LL x

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• Message 18

  , in reply to message 17.

  Posted by Madmary (U3568971) on Thursday, 20th April 2006

  Hi LL, No, sorry, I haven't got a dolphin. Some of the pots, bowls jugs are absolutely gorgeous, wonderful vibrant colours, BUT...... FAR too expensive for me! I saw a lovely purple, red, orange patterned dish, wanted it desperately, but £70!!!!!! I'm not in that league, unfortunately. I still think it's worth a visit if you haven;t been before, most gardeners love beautiful things they can't afford.
  Mary

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