Go and visit a garden for more ideas. Most schools now have gardens which will have been designed specifically for children and, sometimes, by children. If you have the opportunity, ask to be shown around your local one.
The National Gardens Scheme
From spring to late summer the National Gardens Scheme opens over 3,500 public and private gardens in England and Wales for charity. Go to http://www.ngs.org.uk/gardens.aspx and visit 'Gardenfinder' to find one that is open near you. If you type in 'child friendly' as a keyword into their advanced search function it will highlight gardens to visit with your children in your area.
The National Trust
The National Trust looks after the largest and most important collection of historic gardens and cultivated plants in the world. More than 200 National Trust gardens are open to the public throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Garden and countryside tracker packs are also available at over 25 gardens listed on the Trusts children's website www.trusty.org.
These include measuring a tree trunk to work out its age, guessing which woods come from which trees and identifying different bugs and birds. Most other gardens have children's guidebooks, family guides or children's trails available.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main
Children under 5 are free. Free to members of the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland
Scotland’s largest conservation charity with over 35 gardens and many other outdoor locations www.nts.org.uk .
Children under 5 are free. Free to members of the National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust.
All of the following Gardens in London and the South East will give you ideas for your own garden and a good time out with the kids. Unless stated all are suitable for buggy and wheelchair access to their main features. For gardens in the North West of England please see the kidsguide website This website is growing. Gardens, especially in other parts of the country will be added.
Please return at a later date.
London
Capel Manor Gardens
Bullsmoor Lane Enfield Middx EN1 4RQ
Capel Gardens
30 acres of gardens including a number of specimen gardens. One of the best places to visit to get ideas for your own garden.
Free entry to children under 5 and subscribers to Gardening Which
Centre for Wildlife Gardening Peckham
28 Marsden Road, London, SE15 4EE
http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/Naturereserves/
Demonstration wildlife garden with a range of inspiring mini habitats, an award-winning visitors' centre demonstrating innovative environmental building techniques.
Free Entry
Royal Botanical Gardens Kew
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB
www.kew.org
Over 300 acres of gardens. Climbers and Creepers is an indoor and outdoor play area for children with a focus on plants and children’s activities in the school holidays.
Free entry to children under 17 and members of Kew
The London Wetland Centre
Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT
http://www.wwt.org.uk/centre/119/london_wetland_centre.html
Large outdoor site with native planting, a few sustainable gardens, wildlife area, ponds, willow structures and outdoor soft play area with wetland theme. Children’s activities.
Free entry to children under 4 and members of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Oasis Children’s Nature Garden
Corner of Larkhill Lane and Studley Rd Stockwell London SW9
http://www.oasisplay.org.uk/naturegarden.html
A wildlife garden just for children., Gardening and environmental activities for children aged 5 -15. One session on Friday morning for children under 5
Free entry
Roots and Shoots Lambeth
Walnut Tree Walk London SE 11 6DN
http://www.rootsandshoots.org.uk/wildlife-garden.php
½ acre wildlife garden
Restricted entry times – check the website.
Free entry
Thames Barrier Park North Woolwich (Silvertown)
North Woolwich Road London E16 2HP
http://www.thamesbarrierpark.org.uk/
22 acres of lawns, trees and uniquely contoured Yew and Maygreen hedges. An excellent children's play area
Free entry
Kensington Gardens
http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/diana_playground.cfm
275 acres of park with formal avenues of magnificent trees and ornamental flower beds. In the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground there is a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around a pirate ship and various toys and play sculptures
Free entry
Kent
Groombridge Place Gardens
Groombridge Tunbridge Wells Kent TW3 9QG
http://www.groombridge.co.uk/home.htm
Extensive formal gardens and an enchanted forest including a spiral garden and many other features designed to amuse, entertain and intrique children.
Free entry to children under 3
West Sussex
Horsham Park
North Street Horsham
http://www.horsham.gov.uk/leisure_and_tourism/leisure_2557.asp
Lake, trees, maze and an extensive landscaped play area. Park House Garden within the Park is a formal sensory garden.
Free entry
Surrey
RHS Garden Wisley
Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
http://www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/gardens/wisley/index.asp
240 acres of garden. A number of model gardens to give you ideas. Childrens’ activities for school holidays the holidays and children’s trail
Free entry to children under 6 and members of the RHS and one guest.
Membership gives you free entry to all 4 RHS gardens with a family guest gardens as often as you wish, free entry to a number of other gardens, and the Garden monthly magazine.
Hampshire
Staunton Country Park
Middle Park Way Havant Hants PO9 5HB
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-countryside/staunton.htm
1,000 acres of landscaped parkland. Walled garden, sensory garden and maze. There is also a farm and kids play area.
Free Entry to the parkland
Hillier Garden
Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0QA
http://www.hilliergardens.org.uk/
180 acres of garden. For ideas of all around colour in your garden see the largest winter garden in Europe. The children’s education garden was designed, built and maintained by children.
For family activities see the What’s On section on their website and look at Families in the Garden Section. Also organised and charged for sessions for the under 7s.
Free entry to children under 16
Scotland
Blair Castle
Just off the A9 at Blair Atholl Perthshire
http://www.blair-castle.co.uk
2,500 acres of garden and a 9 acre walled garden. The castle hosts weekly family friendly days with free activities for all the family including tractor and trailer rides, storytelling, children’s tours of the castle and nature-themed treasure hunt in the castle grounds.
Free entry to children under 5.