Ivy Croft Garden

Ivy Croft is a private garden near Leominster rather than a large visitor attraction, and it opens to the public through the National Garden Scheme. That means visits are usually on set open days or by arrangement, and the experience is closer to being shown round a keen gardener's own plot than touring a stately estate. Herefordshire's Plant Heritage group has organised visits here, which says a lot about the interest of the planting.

Expect a cottage-garden style, where plants are packed in and allowed to mingle, and where the pleasure is in spotting unusual varieties and good combinations. Take your time, look at how plants are grouped for height and texture, and do not be shy about asking the owners about anything that catches your eye. Gardens that open for the scheme are often generous with advice, and many sell plants raised on site, though it is worth checking whether that is the case before you go.

For home gardeners, a garden like this is often more useful than a famous estate, because the scale is closer to a domestic plot. Bring a notebook or a phone to record plant names, and think about which ideas would suit your own soil and aspect. Leominster and the north Herefordshire countryside make a good day out around a visit, and other gardens in the area, such as Croft Castle, are close enough to combine.