Lakeside garden to nourish the soul

Three stellar estates in Wales and Staffordshire show how careful restoration is always worth the effort

We set off from our Wiltshire home full of anticipation. Our destination was Cumbria, but not as we had known it. Like many, our trips there in the past had tended to be focused on the stunning lakes

There’s no better way to discover this wild corner of Wales, says Kerry Walker

James Cordingley, head gardener at National Trust Dunster Castle in Somerset, tells us about its diverse planting and historical features

A superstar castle, top-tier garden and epic scenery add up to a relaxing break in North Wales

The garden at Ash Park in the South Hams, Devon The home of Chris and Cathryn Vanderspar