ARLEY HALL AND GARDENS, nr Great Budworth, Northwich, Cheshire. Herbaceious borders, topiary, rhododenstrons and roses; walled, scented herb and woodland gardens. Open Tuesday to Sunday until October 2, 11am-5pm. Ring 01565 777353 or 01565 777284.

BRIDGEMERE GARDENS, Bridgemere, Nantwich, Cheshire. A Victorian garden with access for the disabled and refreshments. Open daily. Ring 01270 521100.

CHATSWORTH, Bakewell, Derbyshire. A 105-acre garden famous for its Cascade, fountains and rock garden with access for the disabled and refreshments. Open daily until October. Ring 01246 582204.

DALEMAIN GARDENS, Penrith, Cumbria. Gardens first planted in the 17th century surrounding a medieval, Tudor and Georgian house. Other features include a formal knot garden, rose walk, long border and wild garden. Open Sunday to Thursday until early October, 10.30am-5pm. Ring 017684 86450.

DUNHAM MASSEY HALL AND GARDENS, Altrincham. A super gardening with an Elizabethan Mount, 18th Century Orangery, Edwardian Parterre and innovative plantings. Open until Thursday November 1, 11am-5pm.

HARDWICK HALL, Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. A garden with mixed borders, roses and herbs set in walled courtyards and a restaurant and shop. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Ring 01246 850430.

HARLOW CARR BOTANICAL GARDENS, Harrogate, N. Yorkshire. A 68-acre garden featuring ornamental gardens, streamside, woodland arboretum, trial grounds and National Collections. Open all year. Ring 01423 565418.

HOLKER HALL, Cark-in-Cartmel, Cumbria. 25 acres of formal and woodland gardens containing many rare and unusal plants and shrubs with water features. Open Sunday to Friday until October, 1pm-6pm. Ring 01539 558328.

LEVENS HALL, Kendal, Cumb ria. A famous topiary garden surrounding an Elizabethan house. Open Sunday to Thursday until October 14, 11am-5pm. Ring 01539 560321.

LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY BOTANIC GARDENS, Ness, Neston, South Wirral. An array of rhododendrons, azaleas, sorbus and primulas in rock, heather, rose and water gardens. Open all year. Ring 0151 353 0123.

NEWBY HALL AND GARDENS, Ripon, N. Yorks. A display of spectacular herbaceous borders running down to the River Ure and other gardens featuring the National Collection of Cornus and many other rare and beautiful plants. Open Tuesday to Sunday until September. Ring 01423 322583.

SIZERGH CASTLE, Kendal, Cumbria. A large rock garden featuring Japanese maples, dwarf conifers and hardy ferns, a rose garden and wild flower banks. Open Sunday to Thursday until October, 12.30pm-5.30pm.

STUDLEY ROYAL, Ripon, N. Yorks. An 18th century landscape water garden with temples and statuary and the ruins of the 12th century Fountains Abbey. Open daily. Ring 01765 608888.

TATTON PARK, Knutsford, Cheshire. A 50-acre garden featuring a fernery, orangery and Italian and Japanese gardens. Open Tuesday to Sunday until September. Ring 01625 534400 before visiting.