Out and About Spring 2021

As places and events start to open up, here are some ideas for the spring. National Trust #BlossomWatch is in full swing and other gardens are open to visit. While local groups continue their monthly online get togethers, music and entertainment events are getting ready to welcome audiences WHAT’S ON National Trust #BlossomWatch The Vyne, Basildon Park, Greys Court, Cliveden, Hughenden and Stowe www.nationaltrust.org.uk

After the success of #BlossomWatch in 2020, when thousands captured and shared images of trees in bloom across social media, the National Trust is inviting people to celebrate blossom season in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire once again. Using #BlossomWatch the National Trust is asking people to share their blossom images on social media, to help lift spirits and enable everyone to celebrate nature together. You can find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/blossom-watch The Vyne’s orchard (pictured right) is a lovely place to wander in spring – plum, pear and apple trees start to reveal tiny cream and candy-pink flowers – a picture-postcard scene. If you visit in late spring, make sure you stroll through the Wild Garden. Its little cherry trees produce large displays of

The Vyne cherry blossom, NT Images, Virginia Langer

pale pink flowers on either side of the track. Basildon Park – the sharp thorn bushes growing wild in the woodlands, followed by the prickly hawthorn on the woodland margins and hedge lines showg off their lovely white flowers. Young wild cherries can also be spotted out in the woods surrounding the parkland thanks to the many decades of young tree planting that has been happening at Basildon Park.

Candide Festival of Flowers Freefolk, Whitchurch www.candidegardening.com An online display and talks on floral and planting design, throughout May, together with a selection of detailed guides on spring and summer flowering plants. Hampshire nursery, Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants will unveil what would have been their finale display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 17. For anyone who would like to see the Hardy’s Festival Garden there will be an opportunity to book* a relaxed, socially distanced time slot to visit the nursery from May 18 into June. Tickets are free, but any donations provided by visitors will be donated to Naomi House & Jacksplace. *Limited tickets will be available with allocated time slots

Wallop Wheels and Wings Army Flying Museum, Middle Wallop, Hampshire Saturday, July 3 www.armyflying/events Cars, motorcycles and aircraft, to please enthusiasts of all ages, will assemble at a festival of motoring in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, this summer. 300 super and classic cars and bikes as well as 40 classic aircraft plus a kid’s zone, military area, corporate village, live music, beer tent, wine bar, a Pimm’s corner and a food court. Aircraft already confirmed as flying in on the day include three replica Spitfires, a Travel Air 4000 – which was first built in 1928 – a Boeing E75, a Moth Major and a Percival Mew Gull. Tickets have gone live, but are limited to 2,000.

Exbury Gardens Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 1AZ Open from March 29, 2021 www.exbury.co.uk

Created by Lionel de Rothschild in 1919, a passionate collector of plants and a keen supporter and sponsor of the early 20th century plant hunters, Exbury Gardens has grown to become a stunning garden paradise filled with rare plants, shrubs and trees. There are more than 20 miles of pathways and trails and a steam railway. New for 2021  River Walk – learn about native trees on a woodland trail towards the Beaulieu River estuary  Japanese Cherry Tree Orchard for blossom-packed photo opps and picnics  Dragonfly Pond learning zone & Dragonfly Halt steam railway stop.

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