Berkshire


<p>Judging by my machine gun fire of morning sneezes, spring has sprung. Sunny daffs are glowing up the verges, bluebells will be coming soon and the tree blossom is out out, creating clouds of floral prettiness.</p>



<p>Cherry blossom and magnolia are almost always the floral headliners but there are plenty of other types of tree blossom in the UK to look out for. Fortunately, given that we’re keeping it local, you don’t need to venture far to find an abundance of beautiful blooms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel">Sandham Memorial Chapel</a>, Burghclere</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1.jpg" alt="Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1" class="wp-image-42199" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/03/Sandham-apple-orchard-blossom-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Tucked away in a quiet corner on the Berks/Hants border (a smidge outside Newbury), <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sandham Memorial</a> chapel is a tranquil, spiritual place with a pretty cottage-style garden. Designed as a place of reflection and peace, there are plenty of places to sit and take in the beautiful spring blooms. Fronting the chapel, Sandham’s orchard of historic apple tree varieties burst into soft pink and white blooms. Look out for spring wildflowers in the long grass and at the base of the hedges surrounding the orchard like pink ragged robin, lilac snakeshead fritillary and yellow cowslip. Behind the chapel, young crab apple trees covered in tiny white bunches of spring blossom line the garden path. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-savill-gardens-windsor-great-park"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Savill Gardens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/en/activities/visiting-the-gardens" target="_blank">The </a><a href="https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/en/activities/visiting-the-gardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Savill Gardens (opens in a new tab)">S</a><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Savill Gardens (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/en/activities/visiting-the-gardens" target="_blank">avill Gardens</a>, Windsor Great Park</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring.png" alt="Savill Garden Spring" class="wp-image-33953" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Savill-Garden-Spring-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You can rely on the Queen to bring colour to the seasons – be it fashion or flora. The Savill Gardens on Windsor Great Park is a floral fantasy, with its superb seasonal and rare planting. Expect to see magnolia trees, hydrangeas, and Japanese cherry trees. But make sure your stroll passes the spectacular Heather Gardens and there&#8217;s plenty of bright, early blooms, including rhododendrons and Japanese camellia. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eton-college-chapel-eton"><a href="https://www.etoncollege.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Eton College Chapel (opens in a new tab)">Eton College Chapel</a><em>, </em>Eton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring.jpg" alt="Eton,College,Chapel,And,Courtyard,In,Spring,,Uk" class="wp-image-33952" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/eton-College-chapel-courtyard-spring-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Over the river from Windsor Castle is Eton – an historic village full of tail-coated schoolboys that oozes old world charm. At the far end of the high street you discover Eton College Chapel, built by Henry VI in 1440. If you get the chance to poke your nose inside the chapel, do. With the exception of St George&#8217;s Chapel Windsor Castle, it is one the grandest churches in Berkshire, which just happens to be surrounded by cherry tree blossom in spring. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lily-hill-park-bracknell">Lily Hill Park, Bracknell</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666.jpg" alt="Lily Hill Park Picnic table_1000x666" class="wp-image-33804" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Lily-Hill-Park-Picnic-table_1000x666-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/parks-visit/lily-hill-park" target="_blank">Lily Hill Park</a>&nbsp;is an under the radar hangout with the largest picnic table in England. You’ll find this 56-acre area if heritage parkland and gardens just outside Bracknell and it’s like a generation game of al fresco loveliness. Check out the apple orchard full of Victorian species, the cherry blossom by the picnic table is particularly lovely and there&#8217;s an Edwardian Water Garden and a ‘ha-ha’ to amuse you too. It’s a popular film location, so keep your celeb-spotting radar on high alert. <br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cliveden-house-taplow"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Cliveden House (opens in a new tab)">Cliveden House</a>, Taplow</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden.jpg" alt="Round Garden Cliveden" class="wp-image-33950" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Round-Garden-Cliveden-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Laid out in the mid-19th century, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Cliveden (opens in a new tab)">Cliveden</a>&#8216;s ornamental Round Garden orchard has a series of arches — forming tunnels across the diameter and around its edges — that have recently undergone restoration. It has now reached the stage where most of the apples and pears have grown over the arches, creating tunnels of blossom in spring. The white blossom of the pears comes out first in March, followed by the apples, with white flowers and pink centres. Elsewhere on the estate there are magnolias and ornamental cherries in the Water Garden.<strong> </strong>Gardens open daily, 9.30am-4.30pm; adult £10, child £5. Booking is essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greys-court-henley"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Greys Court (opens in a new tab)">Greys Court</a>, Henley</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/GREYS-COURT-BLOSSOM-HENLEY-e1615550039453.jpg" alt="GREYS COURT BLOSSOM HENLEY" class="wp-image-33947" /></figure>



<p>The cobbled paths at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Greys Court (opens in a new tab)">Greys Court</a> out the outskirts of Henley were specially designed to retain a carpet of delicate petals in their cracks and prevent the cherry blossom from being immediately trampled. There are small flowering fruit trees dotted all around the walled gardens, but it’s the crab apple arch that puts on a real show in spring, trained over hoops and entwined with clematis to create a scented flowery tunnel. Equally beautiful is the wisteria “room” in the walled garden that flowers each May.<strong> </strong>Gardens open daily, 10am-4pm; adult £8, child £4. Booking is essential. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basildon-park-lower-basildon"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Basildon Park (opens in a new tab)">Basildon Park</a>, Lower Basildon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring.jpg" alt="Spring flowers at Basildon Park" class="wp-image-33951" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/Basilson-Park-Spring-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s an informality about <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Basildon Park (opens in a new tab)">Basildon Park</a> that I absolutely love. The views are jaw-dropping, the house Is small-scale grand, and the gardens and grounds come alive in spring. Cheery buttercups and daffodils cover the parkland. With four way-marked paths to choose from, there&#8217;s plenty to catch your eye – violets, cowslip, cherry blossom and primroses.&nbsp;Open daily 10am-5pm, entry adult £10, kids £5. Booking is essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vyne-nr-basingstoke"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vyne</a>, nr Basingstoke</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120.jpg" alt="The Cyne Spring Rachel Warren" class="wp-image-51740" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/03/the-south-drive-at-the-vyne-in-spring_rachael-warren_1481168-scaled-e1681141423120-900x506.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Image: National Trust/ Rachael Warren</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Vyne (opens in a new tab)">The Vyne</a>’s orchard features heritage plum, pear and apple trees with tiny cream and deep-pink flowers. In late Spring, the path through the Wild Garden is flanked by little cherry trees with delicate pale pink blossom. While you’re wandering the gorgeous grounds of the Tudor powerhouse, look out too for the variety of Spring daffodils. The beautiful blooms calmly bob their heads in the breezes that pass through the walled garden, summerhouse garden and wild garden. </p>



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Spring watch! Where to see clouds of blossom in Berkshire

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