RHS Garden Wisley

The moment you walk through the gates at RHS Garden Wisley, near Woking, you realise this isn't just a garden - it's a proper horticultural university. Spread across 240 acres, there's enough here to spend a full day without feeling rushed, though three to four hours covers the highlights.

You'll find everything from the Alpine House to glasshouses packed with exotic plants, formal gardens, woodland walks, and trial beds where the RHS tests new varieties. The layout makes sense if you take a map, though you'll inevitably loop back on yourself at least once. Summer's the obvious choice - the herbaceous borders are spectacular June through August - but spring bulbs and autumn colour are worth visiting for too.

Families with children under ten might find stretches of it a bit thin on entertainment, but older kids who like the outdoors will potter about happily. Serious gardeners will lose themselves here for hours. The café is decent enough for a break, though prices lean towards the steep side.

Worth knowing: there's an admission fee. Check the RHS website for current rates and opening hours before you go, as they vary seasonally. If you're staying at Warren Farm Home Park just 1.2 miles away, or any of the other Camping and Caravanning Club sites nearby like Horsley or Chertsey, you've got a proper destination that justifies a few days in the area. Combine it with a walk along the Wey Valley and you've got a solid Surrey break sorted.