Stow Hall Gardens, Stow Bardolph:

These are a delight and just half an hour’s drive from West Heath Barn. The old hall is no longer standing but the gardens date back to Elizabethan times and are filled with amazing trees, several superb walled gardens, eclectic topiary, serve-yourself afternoon tea and free windfall apples in the autumn too. Our favourite bit is the tunnel so that the gardeners could move about the garden without the posh folk in the big house having to see them. Don’t times change – gardeners are coveted possessions these days!  Only open on Wednesdays and occasional Sundays between April and October,  but at only £5 entrance well worth making time for. Next door you’ll find the Church Farm Rare Breed Centre which makes for a great day out for the younger members of your group. To round off the day, we can highly recommend The Hare Arms next door – superb Sunday lunch but great any day of the week.

19 miles (30 minute drive) from West Heath Barn. PE34 3HU