Reviews of Capel Manor Garden

This is a garden visitors' paradise! Lots of different gardens from the small front gardens of Sunflower Street to the grander landscapes around the Maonor House. We spent over three hours there and I am not sure we saw everything!
The standard of maintenace, planting and design is now impecable and has improved enormously since my last visit and the whole place has a 'buzz' which makes gardening exciting. I particularly loved the National Gardening Centre. It is a sort of permanent, REAL Chelsea Flower Show 'outdoor' garden exhibition.
I visited on a week day and there were lots of student classes working in the gardens and it was interesting to see how the next generation of horticulturists are trained and good to see the emphasis on practical skills and professionalism.
The food in the canteen was excellent and as it is priced for students there was no NT rip off.
Plant labelling not as prevalent as at Wisley and the shop is so 'non commercial' that I couldn't find anything to buy (except the home grown plants out the back which were a bargain).
Also when we were there there was a floristry competition going on. The smell of the flowers and the quality of the displays was out of this world. The gardens seem change a lot and there were two new ones being built by students for openning later this year (2009). Old favorites I rememeber such as the Queen Mother garden and the Diana Princess of Wales garden are still there though.
It's the sort of garden that you need to visit at least once a year as it changes so much.

(5.0/5)