Gardens to visit

Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridgeshire

A rare treat, this garden is designed to be beautiful in the depths of winter. It features coloured stems, leaves and winter flowers with variations in texture and form. The shallow valley, with its gently curving path, is open to the south so that in winter the light of the setting sun floods in to illuminate the brightly coloured stems of cornus and salix and many more delights. If it gets too cold, you can take refuge in the newly restored teak glasshouses. 

Cambridge University Botanic Garden: 01223 336265; www.botanic.cam.ac.uk