Get set glow!

Karen Neville

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hants

Karen Neville

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As we head towards Christmas there are events and activities aplenty to get you in the festive mood with illuminated trails starting this month to kindle your enthusiasm for the season ahead

Tis the season to set eyes all aglow and nothing does that like the wonder of an illuminated trail. Follow a sparkling mile of ‘yellow brick road’ through the illuminated garden at West Green House, near Hartley Wintney RG27 8JB, passing giant dancing fountains and mysterious follies. Adventure past a glowing poppy field, an evil witch, even a Barbie pink good witch, to find The Tin Man, The Scarecrow, The Lion and Dorothy looking for The Wizard! Food stalls, hot chocolate, mulled wine, Christmas treats for supper and a glittering Christmas shop all add to the fun from November 23rd to December 29th. Details & booking at The Christmas Illuminated Garden Adventure – West Green House Gardens

Discover a brand-new magical experience this winter, with White’s Eco Light Festival. Starting on 21st November and running every Thursday to Saturday till the 21st December. This is a Light Festival with a difference at Gilbert White’s House which will be using renewable energy sources, solar power and low-level lighting with environmental consciousness at its core, remembering Gilbert White and his internationally important legacy to ecology. Fun for all the family, this is a chance to make new memories and discover how you can make changes to help wildlife and the environment around you. Pre-booking is essential Gilbert Whites House – Journeys of Discovery in the Natural World

Watercress Line illuminations, from November 29th to January 4th, are an incredible sound and light show on and in a steam train. Thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands, create a kaleidoscope of colours and flashing patterns. New for this year is the Snowlight Cascade, an enchanting display of falling lights at the summit of your magical journey. For more and to book visit Watercress Line Event – Steam Illuminations

Make memories to last a lifetime as Glow Marwell’s magical light experience returns brighter than ever! November 29th-December 30th on selected dates. Awaken your senses and experience the natural wonders of fire, earth, air and water at the one-of-a-kind winter lights experience. Dive under the sea with jellyfish in a new ocean display, drift amongst neon clouds in the new SkyZone, stroll in the snow beside the glowing ancient woodland and tuck into toasted marshmallows at the popular firepits. Find out more & book at Glow Marwell – A Winter Light Trail | Marwell Zoo

Experience magic like never before at Light Up Hillier Gardens near Romsey SO51 0QA. Brace yourself for an enchanting spectacle of new and breathtaking light and sound installations, weaving through a changed route that promises to captivate your senses at every turn. Each corner holds a new treasure, igniting joy and creating memories that will last a lifetime. And there’s a freeze on last year’s prices too! Expect mesmerising fire jugglers, breathtaking aerial artists, and larger-than-life characters, and fabulous good, all ensuring an unforgettable journey. November 28th-January 1st. Full details & booking at Light Up Hillier Gardens | Light Up Trails

As darkness falls at Wakehurst in West Sussex, the garden becomes an illuminated wonderland. Discover the iconic Christmas tree, giant flying owl, fiery hidden dragon and a thousand lanterns on the award-winning trail at Glow Wild 2024, selected dates from November 28th to January 1st. More at Glow Wild | Wakehurst

Step into the beautiful house of Hinton Ampner near Alresford, enchanted by the magic of Christmas. There’s something to surprise and delight around every corner. With thousands of sparkling lights and presents stacked high. From the world of the Ice Queen to a Woodland Ball, Gingerbread Village and the North Pole Workshop. Christmas elves are busy making toys & games – and getting in a muddle! The garden will be the backdrop for beautifully decorated trees with twinkling lights and classic Christmas Colours. November 16th-January 5th. Booking essential at An Enchanted Christmas at Hinton Ampner | National Trust

With sparkling trees and quirky displays, in The Vyne’s house and gardens, lose yourself in Lewis Carroll’s dreamlike children’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Look out for the Queen of Hearts’ army on the north lawn and a giant chess board in the house. There’s even an ‘illogical’ room where glittering upside-down Christmas trees point disconcertingly to the floor. Collect your trail sheet and enjoy nonsensical Alice-themed challenges. November 20th-January 5th. Booking not needed.

Enjoy a Nutcracker Christmas at Mottisfont. Wander through rooms filled with sparkling trees and decorations, music and light effects. Follow Clara and her Nutcracker Prince into a frosty wonderland with swirling snowflakes. Sugarplum fairies twirl among candy canes in the Land of Sweets, and there’s a thrilling duel scene between the Prince and the Mouse King. Outside, the adventure continues on a Nutcracker-themed family activity trail. November 23rd-January 5th. No need to book.

Soak up the magic of Christmas this winter with a visit to a National Trust place near you. Immerse yourself in the glamour of an extravagant masquerade ball at Polesden Lacey, step into the beautifully decorated rooms of a traditional country house Christmas at Hatchlands park, discover the wonderfully mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ trail at Winkworth Arboretum or just enjoy frosty walks and winter warmers and glorious views at Box Hill.

Head to The Shed, Whitehill & Bordon on December 8th from midday for a festive Christmas Market! Enjoy over 30 unique stalls, delicious food, treats, music and a special visit from Santa and his mischievous elf. Don’t miss out on national brand, O’Donnell’s Moonshine for extra holiday cheer! Fun for all ages – bring your holiday spirit!

This year’s Petersfield Christmas Festival is bigger and better, in fact so much so that they’ve added events on Saturday evening. Festive entertainments, Christmas shopping, treats and mulled wine await in the square on December 7th & 8th.

The lights are going on in Alton on November 22nd, shop at the Christmas market, meet the man in the red suit and an Ice Queen and tuck into some festive fare while you get the celebrations started.

Fleet Christmas Festival with market, lights switch on, gifts to shop for, entertainment, food and more is on November 27th which is also when Santa is making his first appearance in his grotto at the Harlington. Step into his workshops and join a heart-warming journey with the fun time elves and take part in various activities. Also on Dec 14th & 21st. Book for the grotto at Santa’s Grotto | FleetChristmasFest

One of the best Christmas markets in the area can be found and shopped in Winchester, November 22nd-December 22nd. Renowned for its bustling atmosphere, stunning location and high quality exhibitors, the pretty wooden chalets attract visitors by the sleigh load to shop in the historic surroundings immersed in carols, festive lights and the heady aroma of mulled wine.

Visit the Culinary Concepts Christmas Launch Event on Saturday 9th and Sunday, 10th November, 10am-4pm. Explore new Christmas Collections, enjoy 20% off full-priced items, and take advantage of exclusive event offers with up to 80% off. Complimentary mulled wine and festive treats will be served to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Visit Designer Homeware, Unique Gifts & Home Decor | Culinary Concepts for more details.

Shop at more than 150 stalls in Castle Street, The Borough, The Ivy Lane Clun and Bush Hotel Courtyard selling gifts that are a little different, crafts, accessories, Christmas items, food, drink and more in Farnham. Shoppers can expect an emphasis on local, quality products on December 8th.

The stately splendour of West Horsley Place invites you to meet Santa, enjoy Christmas crafts, decorate a festive biscuit and more on December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd. The manor house has a Christmas open day on December 1st where you can explore and discover a Tudor Christmas and as it’s time to get some shopping done, the arts and artisan fair November 22nd-24th features all manner of food and drink, skincare, jewellery, art, crafts and fashion gifts. Details about all these and more seasonal events at West Horsley Place Trust

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Mad about the blooms

Karen Neville

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hants

Summer is on the horizon bringing with it warmer days, hopefully plenty of sun and the glorious sight and scent of roses blossoming and spreading their joy

Our most popular flower is rich in symbolism and history featuring in literature, music, heritage, as our national flower, in skin care products and as the emblem for many sports teams.

Classic and instantly recognisable, they are ideal for almost every style of garden, flowering abundantly from early summer in pastel shades of pink, peach, cream or snowy-white; vibrant yellow and gold; orange, crimson and red.

And as any gardener will tell you, there are a few essential rose rules to ensure ‘everything comes up roses’.

Round & About gardening expert Cathie Welch will tell you “It’s all in the pruning!” and advises “before you prune, know your rose type and sharpen your secateurs to avoid damage.”

She adds: “Make sure you cut correctly in the right place. Dead heading throughout the summer and winter pruning should all be cut to ideally pencil thickness growth to encourage more flowers. Cut out dead and weak growths as well as congested growth and don’t forget the suckers which come from the wild rootstock.”

Ramblers are in full bloom at this time of year and to ensure an attractive abundance in future, she says: “After flowering has finished prune out some of the flowered shoots and tie in the annoying long ones that you have wanted to cut off because these will produce next year’s flowers.”

And remember to dead head throughout the summer.

If you prefer to admire the beauty of roses and take in the rich fragrance from someone else’s handiwork there are plenty of gorgeous English gardens full of stately blooms.

There are more than a thousand Old English rose bushes to take in at Loseley Park, Guildford which can be seen at their best at this of year. Nearby at RHS Wisley, the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden boasts a contemporary design combining roses with evergreen shrubs, herbaceous plants, bulbs and clipped yews. Look out for some spectacular blooms into autumn.

Visit The Six Quarters at Gilbert White’s House in Selborne and be greeted by summer beds containing different species of old rose planted in among lavender, geraniums, dianthus, foxglove and columbine.

You’d expect the National Trust to offer up some of the best gardens to wander through and these don’t disappoint. There’s A Celebration of Roses at Polesden Lacey, June 8th to July 14th, where the walled gardens hold more than 35 varieties and over 100 rambling roses form tunnels of petals over the pergola leading to the central wishing well. Bright yellow blooms mix with more subtle pale pinks. The celebration offers the opportunity to learn more about the blooms, the garden’s history and the work that goes into maintaining it. View metal rose installations made by charity the Camelia Botnar Foundation which provides residential training and work experience to young people. The roses in the installation are for sale and can be collected after the celebration has finished.

The Rose Garden at Nymans in Sussex boasts more than 600 bushes – their heady scent carries a long way, notably on a warm summer’s day, mingling with the lavendar.

The more than 100 varieties blooming at Hinton Ampner near Alresford are sure to feature in the Festival of Flowers from June 8th to 30th which celebrates the art of flower arranging as part of Hinton in Bloom: Summer where you can wind your way through the walled garden to the parterre, look for the rose motifs and breathe in their scent throughout the month.

The walled gardens at Mottisfont near Romsey are home to a collection of pre-1900 shrub roses. This year, Mottisfont is marking 50 years since the collection was brought to the grounds to be enjoyed by all and how they are preparing for climate challenges of the future. The gardens are open until 8pm through to June 29th affording longer for you to appreciate them and on 7th, 14th and 21st you can enjoy live jazz, wine tastings and wine for sale from award-winning Hampshire vineyard Black Chalk.

Take in the scent of the contemporary Rose Garden with its viewing platform overlooking the roses as well as the garden beyond at Savill Garden and immerse yourself in the old fashioned scented French musk roses inter-planted with a wide range of shrubs and perennials.

The start of July brings the glorious Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, 2nd to 7th, where you can’t fail to be inspired by the beautiful show gardens and ‘get started’ gardens created by new designers with innovative ideas, beautiful plants and detailed landscaping.

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