The famous Valley Gardens in Harrogate town centre are English Heritage Grade II Listed gardens containing the elegant Sun Colonnade walk covered with Wisteria and Hydrangea leading to the bandstand. Among the immaculately planted flower beds, you can find 36 different mineral wells and an enormous Gunnera manicata (giant rhubarb) growing by the stream. From here you can take the path through the pinewoods and walk to RHS Harlow Carr taking in the woodland views along the way.

This destination garden has something to inspire the budding gardener, the expert horticulturist and the youngest explorer from woodland to wildflower meadows, borders to blue poppies, and the fascinating Alpine House which is home to more than 2,000 plants native to mountainous regions from around the world.

Don’t forget to visit Bettys tea room for some delicious treats and the extensive RHS shop for plants, books and gifts. Laden down with your purchases and relaxed from your day in the fresh air you can take the X6 bus back into Harrogate from Harlow Carr.

Non-residents are welcome to visit the kitchen garden consisting of 52 raised beds made from English Oak trees grown in the grounds that provide over 100 different herbs, salad vegetables and fruits to the Horto and Clocktower restaurants of the hotel.

Named after the German town with which Knaresborough is twinned, this small but always colourful park on the steep hillside features mature trees and a popular paddling pool. Continue downwards if you wish to reach Waterside where boating on the River Nidd and ice cream await.

Just over two miles outside of Knaresborough is your next stop.

Here you will find eight acres of lawns, borders and walled kitchen gardens with over 90 varieties of fruit trees and shrubs. Renowned garden designer Andy Sturgeon is currently remodelling the gardens as part of a ten-year continual improvement programme, most recently incorporating a new pergola and topiary into his vision.