Yesterday, we went to the tropical gardens at Abbotsbury in Dorset.
They're
very well worth a visit.
I went there last year and the one before for their "Floodlights and
candles" week at the end of Oct/beginning of Nov, when from dusk the
garden is subject to an array of lighting effects. They use coloured
theatrical floodlights to great dramatic effect, and the main paths are
candle-lit. After having walked around the garden during the day, its
night-time transformation was magical. Just don't make the mistake of
going on Halloween, unless, of course, you enjoy the company of hoards
of overexcited children dressed as vampires, along with their frankly
bored older siblings and parents.
That aside, it's very impressive what they can grow in their particular
microclimate. Also, a trip to the tearoom is worth it for the pleasure
of sitting out on the wooden veranda looking onto the palms and
enjoying a nice bottle of real ale.