Six of the most spectacular places in Britain to see ferns

Country Life's gardens editor Tiffany Daneff picks out some of the finest ferneries in Britain.

Ferns in the sunrise over Crantock Bay near Newquay on the North Cornish coast.
Ferns in the sunrise over Crantock Bay near Newquay on the North Cornish coast.
(Image credit: Alamy)

Beth Chatto Garden, Colchester, Essex

Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester, Essex, UK

Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester, Essex
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Excellent inspiration for planting combinations, with many fern varieties in The Long Shady Walk, Water Garden, Woodland Garden and north facing clay bank. Open all year for a full picture of habit throughout seasons. Excellent nursery with homegrown plants.

www.bethchatto.co.uk


Dewstow Gardens, Monmouthshire

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A madcap, fantastical world of grottoes, subterranean tunnels, ferneries and rock gardens. Built around 1893 by the eminent Victorian firm James Pulham & Son, the gardens were buried in WW2 then excavated and restored in 2000. 

www.dewstowgardens.co.uk


Attadale, Wester Ross, Scotland

Attadale Gardens

Attadale Gardens
(Image credit: Alamy)

Beautifully planted Scottish estate, stretching over 20 acres. It encompasses woodland, waterfalls, sculpture and a range of gardens, including a fern garden with tender plants housed in a space-age geodesic dome.

www.attadale.com


Trebah, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall

Trebah Garden, Cornwall

Trebah Garden, Cornwall

A classic subtropical garden packed with rhododendrons, magnolias and hydrangeas. Head for the Stumpery and Cascade for an array of ferns including unusual Australasian tree ferns.

www.trebahgarden.co.uk 


Chelsea Physic Garden, Chelsea

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The fern house and surrounding area houses an extensive collection of both hardy and tropical ferns, all displayed at waist level and clearly named. A good chance to swot up on the finer details of each variety.

www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk


Tougher than they look: snowdrops can cope with being snowed on.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Where to see snowdrops: The best places in Britain

The sight of these tiny white flowers peeping through in January or February never fails to cheer us up –

Galanthus elwesii var monostictus cinderdine white flowers green markings flower bulbs snowdrops spring flowering

Galanthus elwesii var monostictus cinderdine white flowers green markings flower bulbs snowdrops spring flowering
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The trials of collecting snowdrops: 'Is there no love for a Heffalump or a Grumpy?'

A galanthophile’s work is never done, says Michael Heseltine, as he tells us about his family's floral hobby; collecting snowdrops.

Plas yn Rhiw - National Trust

Credit: Plas yn Rhiw - National Trust

Plas yn Rhiw: An intoxicating Welsh garden that time forgot

Non Morris visited one of the most beautiful gardens in Wales, and came away utterly smitten.

exotic garden at RHS Wisley

Tropical fruit and palm trees in deepest Surrey? Why they’re going bananas at Wisley

A newly-planted exotic garden at RHS Wisley has torn up the rule book – it's a bold gamble for a garden

Tiffany Daneff is Country Life's gardens editor.