botanic garden

Archive for the ‘royal botanic gardens’ Category

The moment you arrive in Jamaica your heart will be begin to beat to the slow paced, go with the flow Jamaican rhythm. There is so much to see and do here and we want to help you see and feel it all. Let us show you how to discover the exceptional travel package values and all inclusive resort vacations that will make your time in paradise perfect. Let us share the land we love because we know you will love it too.

Kingston the capital and largest city in Jamaica, lies on the south eastern coast of the island. One of the leading ports of the West Indies, it exports sugar, rum, molasses, and bananas. Other industries include tourism, oil refining, shoe and clothing manufacturing, and food processing.

The average annual temperature is 25 deg C 77 deg F, and yearly rainfall is 813 mm 32 in.

There is a fresh sea breeze by day and a gentle breeze from the mountains by night.

The high season in Jamaica is the winter season from December 15 to April 14. The winter season is when Jamaica is windiest. The winter season is the most popular time to visit Jamaica and the most expensive also requiring the greatest amount of pre-planning.

You should make your reservations 2 or 3 months prior to your desired winter season visit to assure that you can get your desired accommodations.

During the summer season temperatures are only a couple of degrees warmer than in the winter. The rainy season is usually during the fall. Usually brief showers followed by sunshine. Overcast days are rare.

Founded in 1692 after nearby Port Royal was destroyed by an earthquake, Kingston became the capital of Jamaica in 1872. Points of interest include Rockfort, a 17th century fortress, the Church of Saint Thomas; and Headquarters House 18th century, once the seat of government.

The Royal Botanical Gardens at Hope, popularly called Hope Gardens serves as a national attraction and is frequented by visitors from near and far.

The Hope Gardens is a part of the two thousand 2000 acres of land originally owned by Major Richard Hope from whom it got its name. Two hundred acres of this land was obtained by the Government of Jamaica in 1880 and was originally established as a plant introduction and crop testing facility for plants such as the pineapple, cocoa, coffee and tobacco.

The formal Botanic Gardens were laid out on approximately 60 acres of this land with the assistance of personnel from the Kew Gardens in England. In the 1950s, the Queen, after visiting the island and being pleased with the state of the gardens, gave permission for it to be called the Royal Botainc Gardens, Hope.

If you are looking for some great gardens to visit in Europe then why not try some of the locations below. Whether you are visiting as part of a group, family or as an individual there are some great gardens to visit.

 

MOUNT STEWART – You can see the Strangford Lough from the gardens and the city of Belfast is only 15 miles away. Travel: Portaferry Road, nr Newtownards, 15 miles east of Belfast, off the A20. Open 1 May-30 Sept, daily (10am-8pm). Admission pounds 3.90, children pounds 2.10, NT members free.

 

THE EDEN PROJECT – Project Eden has made the headlines more than any other garden project in the last thirty years. Travel: Bodelva, St Austell, Cornwall. Admission pounds 10, OAPs pounds 7.50, students pounds 5, children 5- 15 pounds 4, under-fives free. Open all year, except Christmas Eve and Day (summer opening 9.30am-9pm).

 

ARLEY HALL – This is one of the oldest and finest gardens, Arley Hall is home to herbaceous shrubs and perennials. Travel: Great Budworth, Cheshire, five miles north of Northwich, signed from M6 and M62. Open mid-Apr-Sept Tue-Sun and bank holidays (11am-5pm). Admission pounds 4.50, concessions pounds 3.90, children 5-16 pounds 2.25, under-fives free.

 

EDINBURGH BOTANIC – The RBG, or Royal Botanic Garden, is the garden in all of Scotland. What is even better about this beautiful place is that it is completely free. Travel: Off A902, one mile north of the city centre, entrances at Inverleith Row and Arboretum Place. Open daily all year, except Christmas and New Year (10am-4pm, to 7pm Apr-Sept).

 

ARBORETUM KALMTHOUT – The finest collection of trees and shrubs in Belgium, and possibly Europe. Travel: Heuvel 2, Kalmthout, on N117, 8km from the E19 motorway, exit 4. Open mid-Mar to mid-Nov daily and during the Hamamelis Festival in Jan and Feb (10am-5pm). Admission EUR4, concessions EUR3.50, children EUR2.

 

SISSINGHURST – Representing the efforts and dreams of many British gardeners, this walled garden is a testament to the ones who built it.  Travel: Nr Cranbrook, Kent. Open late Mar-2 Nov. Mon, Tue, Fri (11am-6.30pm), weekends and bank holidays (10am- 6.30pm). Admission pounds 6.50, children pounds 3, NT members free.

 

ALNWICK CASTLE – Due to the extensive renovation work that is currently being down on the 12 acre walled garden, Alnwick Castle is very new to the scene. Travel: Alnwick is 35 miles to the north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Open year round, except Christmas Day (10am-8pm or dusk). Admission pounds 4, concessions pounds 3.50, under-16s free.

 

WISLEY – This remarkable garden has done well despite poor soil and being too close to nearby roads. Travel: Surrey, seven miles north of Guildford on A3. Open year round, Mon-Fri (10am-6pm), weekends (9am-6pm), Nov-Feb to 4.30pm. Admission pounds 6, children pounds 2.  www.rhs.org.uk/ gardens/wisley.

 

SHEFFIELD – The Sheffield Botanical Gardens date back to the 1830s. Travel: Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, south-west of the city centre. Open in summer on weekdays (8am-7.30pm) weekends (10am- 7.30pm) pavilions (11am-5pm). Admission free.

 

GIVERNY – Claude Monet’s garden. It is almost like a dream to walk through.  Travel: Rue Claude Monet, Giverny, 4km from Vernon, south- east of Rouen on the N15, 70km west of Paris. Open Apr-Oct, daily except Mon, 9.30am- 6pm.

The below gardens are some of the most beautiful and well known in France that your gardening group may enjoy. Each of these locations does have coach travel in a variety of forms but you will need to research the exact times based on the time. Remember your return fare and agree on a good time to meet with group if you separate at any time. 

 

Some of these locations have free admittance, but traveling to each of the locations will cost a fee and should be planned on accordingly. You can save money on these fees by traveling together in a group. If there are ticket fees for one of the gardens, you can save money by purchasing all of your tickets together as a group.

 

When traveling, always remember to carry a small pocket guide of translations with you and a map of the area. You might also wish to print up text directions for all members of your party and even a bit of the history of the areas you will be visiting.

 

Clos du Coudray, Etaimpuis - Open April 1-October 31, daily 10am-7pm, last entry 6pm. Admission €7.5  www.leclosducoudray.com Travel from Folkestone to Calais via Eurotunnel (www.eurotunnel.com) costs from £49. Other travel may be determined from visiting the main website. Vicinity of Dieppe and Rouen,  are well marked but a good map is essential

LE JARDIN PLUME – Normandy Open from 1 April to 1 November, between 2pm and 7pm, every day except Wednesday. Guided tours for groups between 9am and 7pm, any day by appointment. The garden is situated between Dieppe and Rouen, in Grigneuseville.

Les Jardins Agapanthe, Grigneuseville Halfway between Dieppe and Rouen to the east of Totes, on N29. Open April 1-November 1, 2-7pm, daily except Wednesdays. Plants for sale. Admission €7

Manoir de Troguindy – The RBG, or Royal Botanic Garden, is a garden in all senses of the word. This garden is beautiful and filled with all kinds of plants. Local transportation can take you there. If you decide to walk or drive yourself, you should take the right of the square at Treguier in front of the cathedral and follow it to “Lannion/Perros Guirec”. When you come to a stop sign, proceed straight. After 1km, descend the right and follow it all the way to the village of Le Guindy. Follow the road to your left and the entrance is on the right.

Sceaux – Le Nôtre designed the garden on a hill running between a valley and another hill. The garden was completely deserted and left unattended during the revolutionary years. However, in the nineteenth century, a new chateau was built and the gardens were completely renovated. A canal system and large pool has been added, complete with water plants.

Address Sceaux, Ile-de France, Paris, France, 92330

Opening times All year, Daily, Open 7am to 7.30pm in summer, Open 8am to dusk in winter