Tullynally Castle Gardens

Tullynally is a family garden on a grand scale. The Pakenhams have lived here since 1655, and the gardens cover more than 20 acres, divided between walled gardens, extensive woodland gardens and two ornamental lakes. Much of the layout dates from the early 1800s, but Thomas Pakenham and his late wife Valerie gardened here for over 50 years and added many new features, so it feels both historic and personal.

Start with the view over the parkland, then head into the walled gardens, where Valerie restored the flower gardens and helped design the summerhouses, each framing a different view. The Forest Walk follows the site of the American garden made by Georgiana, Countess of Longford, in the 1830s; the soil there is acid, and Thomas Pakenham has planted it with trees and shrubs raised from seed collected in China, Tibet and Sikkim. A Chinese garden with a pagoda and a Tibetan garden of waterfalls and streams were added this century, and rare magnolias grow at the far end of the Lower Lake.

Tree lovers should follow the Tree Trail of Thomas Pakenham's 24 favourite trees, some planted by him and some over 200 years old; he is the author of Meetings with Remarkable Trees. Children have their own Discovery Trail, and the Stables Tearoom in the old Georgian stable block doubles as the ticket office.