by Jenny Underhill

Although we like to moan about the British weather, all that rain does do wonders for the thousands of parks and gardens that grace our country. Choosing the best green spaces in Great Britain is an impossible task, so instead we've simply picked our favourites:

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Chelmsford

Things to do in Essex

Painswick Rococo Garden, Painswick

One of the few rococo style gardens remaining in England with many unique features and garden designs you probably wont have seen before. Admission is £4 for adults and £2 for children from 11am to 5pm January through to October. For more information call 01452 813204 or go to www.rococogarden.co.uk

Days out in Gloucestershire

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Gardens is not only one of the finest gardens in Scotland, it’s one of the finest in the world. The gardens are free for everyone and open all year from 10am to 7pm. In March and October they close at 6pm and over the winter months it’s 4pm. For further details phone 0131 5527171 or visit www.rbge.org.uk

Days out in Central Scotland

Stourhead Gardens, nr Warminster

Things to do in Wiltshire

National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne

This huge botanical garden is one of the finest in Britain with fantastic parklands and open spaces complemented by stunning views. Admission is currently £6.95 for adults and £3.50 for children every day from 10am to 6pm. From October till March the garden closes a little earlier at 4.30pm. For further details call 01558 668768 or visit www.gardenofwales.org.uk

Days out in South Wales

West Dean Gardens, West Dean

This award winning Elizabeth garden is one of the best in England with everything from a fantastic pergola to wonderful fruit gardens. Admission is £5.50 for adults and £2.50 for the kids every day from 11am till 5pm March through to October. For more information call 01243 818210 or go to www.westdean.org.uk

Things to do in West Sussex

The Eden Project, St Austell

Things to do in Cornwall

Kew Gardens, Kew

Very few gardens in the world are as famous or as beautiful as Kew. Set in over 300 acres, it's home to fifty thousand different varieties of plants, each of which is perfectly presented. A truly wonderful place to visit. Admission to Kew is £8.50 for adults and free for kids every day from 9.30am till dusk. For more information call 0208 3325655 or go to www.kew.org

Days out in Surrey

Wisley Gardens, nr Woking

Set in well over 240 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside,Wisley Gardens are arguably the prettiest in England. A wonderful day out , particularly when the sun is shining. Admission is £7 for adults and just £2 for children every day from 10am till 6pm. At the weekend the gardens open an hour earlier at 9am. For more information call 01837 52844 or go to www.english-heritage.org.uk

Things to do in Surrey

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield

Stretching over nearly 200 acres of beautiful English countryside, Hillier Gardens is regarded as the finest collection of trees in the world. Entry to the gardens is currently £6 for adults but kids go free. Opening hours are 10.30am till 6pm every day of the year. For further details call 01794 368787 or go to www.hilliergardens.co.uk

Things to do in Hampshire