RHS Rosemoor

Rosemoor is a good choice if you want a big, well-labelled garden where you can pick up ideas for almost any part of your own plot. It is run by the Royal Horticultural Society, and today the garden covers 65 acres, set within more than 100 acres of woodland, with the River Torridge running along its western edge.

Most visitors head for the rose garden first, which holds around 2,000 rose plants and gives a clear sense of how different roses perform in a mild, wet south-western climate. From there you can work your way round the herb, fruit and vegetable gardens, which are some of the most useful areas for home gardeners because they show practical crops grown well. The alpine house is worth a stop for anyone interested in small, choice plants, and the arboretum gives a quieter walk among trees. The older part of the garden, made by Lady Anne Palmer from 1959, sits in a sheltered corner of the estate and still has the feel of a plantswoman's garden, with sweeping lawns and curving borders full of less common plants.

There is plenty here beyond the borders. The visitor centre includes a plant centre and shop, so it is easy to buy something you have just seen growing. A restaurant and the Wisteria tearoom make it practical to stay most of the day, and a small reference library near the entrance has books on practical gardening, design and garden history, plus gardening magazines to browse. Allow at least half a day, and more if you want to walk the woodland as well as the main garden.