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Spring into the Garden Isle

Known as the 'Garden Isle' because of its rich variety of different natural habitats and environments concentrated into such a small area, the Isle of Wight is the place to visit this spring.

Stock up on plants at the Spring Garden Show held at Robin Hill Country Park in April and find out how climate change is affecting our native plants on the

Mottistone Manor Spring Garden Tour in May. Or just get out and about this spring and visit the Island's diverse range of coastal and countryside gardens, including Ventnor Botanic with 22 acres of exotic plants from around the world and Osborne House with its stunning terrace gardens down to the sea.

Robin Hill Spring Garden Show, 26/27 April
Both green-fingered folk and non-gardeners will not be disappointed by the range of activities taking place at the Robin Hill Garden Show. As well as viewing the plants and horticultural goods of local and mainland nurseries, visitors will find marquees featuring the wares of local food and craft producers. There is also a full programme of events and displays taking place at the 2-day show including music, dance and sheep dog displays.

Prices: Day ticket prices: £8.50 per person (under 4's free), Saver ticket (4 persons) £31.00, seniors £6.00, disabled £5.50.
Contact details: Tel. 01983 527352/www.robin-hill.com

Mottistone Manor Spring Garden Tour, 13 May
Join Head Gardener, Robert Moore, for an interesting stroll around this delightful garden. Discover how the garden is managed, the plans for the future and how it is adapting to climate change. Starting from 2.30pm.

Prices: Adults £1 (in addition to the admission charge).
Contact details: Tel. 01983 741302/mottistonemanor@nationaltrust.org.uk

Osborne House
Spring is one of the best times to enjoy a visit to Osborne House and to stroll through the gardens, which are brimming with bulbs and Queen Victoria's favourite, the primrose, which thrives everywhere. The formal parterre terraces are planted with a stunning pink, blue and white theme this year or perhaps most enchanting of all is the famous Swiss Cottage and surrounding gardens, where the royal children played and were encouraged to grow their own flowers and vegetables. Open all year.

Prices: For house and gardens: adults £10.00; Concessions £ 8.00; Children £ 5.00.
Contact details: Tel: 01983 200022/www.english-heritage.org.uk/osbornehouse

Ventnor Botanic Gardens
Travel through the world of plants in 22 acres. Plants from Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa flourish in the equitable climate of the Undercliff. Gardens open all year, free of charge. Picnics permitted. Dogs must be on leads. Visitor Centre with lift down to gardens, exhibition and cafe.

Prices: Free (Fee payable for Green House - open Easter to October) Contact details: Tel. 01983 855397.

Afton Park, Freshwater
Afton Park incorporates a popular plant nursery, gardens, wildflower meadow and apple orchard open to the public 7 days a week in season. The newly designed and planted gardens sit in an area of outstanding natural beauty, beneath the chalk downs close to Freshwater Bay, at the western end of the Isle of Wight. As well as the gardens a wildflower meadow is being developed on this beautiful seven acre site. Open 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10.30-4.30pm-Sun (March-Oct).
Prices: Free admission to Nursery/Gardens: £1.50
Contact details: Tel. 01983 755774/www.aftonpark.co.uk

Shanklin Chine
'Chine' is a local word and now used only in the Isle of Wight and Dorset. It is of Saxon origin and means a deep narrow ravine, formed by water cutting through soft sandstone leading to the sea. The Island has a number of chines but the two largest are Blackgang, where very little of the original remains, due to erosion, and Shanklin, unique in the quality of its flora and fauna. With a drop of 105ft to sea level, and just over a quarter of a mile, the Chine covers an area of approximately three acres. Open 1st April - 31st October.

Prices: Adults £3.75, senior citizens £2.75, children (age 5-14) £2, family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) £11.50.
Contact details: Tel. 01983 866432/www.shanklinchine.co.uk