A Little Piece of Narnia in Basingstoke

Advantages: It's free, it's peaceful, large car park and close to a pub.
Disadvantages: Not enough to do, toilets not always open, no seats.

.... The Walled Garden is easily identified by the large ornate front gates. All main bus routes from the town centre pass here on a regular basis but to be honest I don't think it's really worth spending travel fare on. *** What Is It? **** The fully enclosed walled garden is situated in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The land used to part of the historical Down Grange Estate in 1800 and originally served as a kitchen garden to The Down Grange House. As you approach through the entrance gates, it resembles something from ?Narnia?, this is truly a delightful ?secret? garden that you least expect to find, just off Pack Lane. Today Basingstoke and Deane council own operate and maintain the Walled Garden as a public garden and wildlife area. Original features however still remain such as the yew hedges, croquet lawn and beautiful gothic...

mrsmopples 06.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of The Walled Garden Basingstoke, Hampshire

Georgian Market Town in Hampshire

Advantages: Pretty Market Town
Disadvantages: House prices!

...----Introduction------- Alresford is a pretty Georgian market town in Hampshire, England that lies about 7 miles East of the cathedral city of Winchester. The town centre is full of pretty colour washed Georgian houses. The population is around 5000 (2001 census) Alresford (pronounced Allsford) apparently means 'the ford over the river where the alder trees grow'. There is an Old and New Alresford. (Although New Alresford came into existence around 1200 so is not that new!). For this review when I mention Alresford I will be referring to New Alresford. Alresford came top of the SE regional list in Country Life Magazine's "Favourite Market Town" award and was a runner up to Hexham, the winners, in the final five! ---Brief History-------- Henri de Blois, brother of King Stephen and Bishop of Winchester, is credited...

Pip111 25.04.2006 (21.09.2007) · Read review
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Review of Alresford, Hampshire

Hampshire's Trip Down Memory Lane

Advantages: Easy to get to, not rushed once inside, ample parking, reasonable prices.
Disadvantages: Not enough to do to spend the whole day there.

...Milestones Living History Museum Come and discover your past inside a make believe town that never rains or has traffic congestion. Milestones was built to house over 21,000 objects either made or used in Hampshire and dating back to as far as the Victorian era. Milestones is managed by Hampshire County Council and also Basingstoke and Deane . On approach to the museum, the building looks more like an aircraft hanger. You wouldn?t think that this ultra modern steel and glass building would house so many old and ancient artefacts. Milestones has been in Basingstoke since November 2000 and was opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. ******Directions:****** By car - Milestones is only 3 miles from the M3 on the Basingstoke Leisure Park site and is clearly sign posted on approach. There is ample parking and it?s free...

mrsmopples 08.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of Milestones Living History Museum, Hampshire

Hanging Gardens of Wellington

Advantages: Nice stroll, good plants
Disadvantages: Steep

...If you only can spare time to seek out one plant in New Zealand, it would have to be the most famous of all its plants - the silver fern. If, on the other hand, you are a nature lover and you find yourself with a free afternoon to spend in Wellington (New Zealand's capital city), then I strongly recommend the Botanic Garden for its plants, scenic views and pleasant strolls. For everyone else, I'd still recommend it, but only after you have taken your fill of the Te Papa museum (which is my number one "must-see" recommendation for Wellington). The gardens span some 25 hectares and if you are anything like me, they will fill as much time as you have to spare and then some. People with bad knees or small children be warned though - it's pretty steep and you may struggle a bit! There are some mobility scooters available though. I came here...

beckyXX 28.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of Wellington Botanic Gardens

The Constant Gardener

Advantages: Excellent plot, superb acting, stunning location
Disadvantages: Emotionally draining

..."In Africa there are no murders, only regrettable deaths." The Constant Gardener is an adaptation of a John Le Carre novel, a thrilling adventure of immense social relevance which highlights commercial exploitation and political corruption in Africa, whilst simultaneously celebrating the astounding beauty of the landscape, culture and people. The political focus of this movie is cleverly interwoven with the struggle of a British diplomat to discover the truth behind his wife's murder, to learn who she really was, and to realise a greater love and trust in her than he ever had when she was alive. The Main Cast Ralph Fiennes ...Justin Quayle Rachel Weisz ...Tessa Quayle Hubert Koundé ...Arnold Bluhm Danny Huston ...Sandy Woodrow Bill Nighy ...Sir Bernard Pellegrin Donald Sumpter ...Tim Donohue Archie Panjabi ...Ghita...

VC81 03.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of The Constant Gardener

The Spice Garden - No Garden, Plenty of Spice

Advantages: Light airy conservatory, pleasant service, good value for money
Disadvantages: Nothing out of the ordinary

...Another week brought another visit from my hungry curry-loving colleague Joep. I had no plans for the evening and asked if he wanted to have dinner. His eyes lit up; "Can we have curry?" he asked excitedly. And so at around 6.30pm we left the office to go in search of a new curry restaurant that we'd not tried before. I'd spotted the Spice Garden on my way to work that morning and decided that this time it would get our custom. The world (well the UK anyway ? and India, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc?..you get what I mean) is full of curry restaurants and in the middle of a recession we should spread our pennies around and try to support a new one each time until we run out or get food poisoning. I got lucky and found a parking space right in front of the restaurant. It's on New Chester Road in Bromborough, about a mile off the M53, close...

koshkha 07.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Spice Garden, Merseyside

A garden to die for!

Advantages: Plenty to see and do for both adults and children
Disadvantages: None

...The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is a really lovely place to visit, as I discovered recently when in the area. I had decided to visit on the recommendation of a friend who had recently spent a day there, and had spent quite a while telling me about it afterwards. I was intrigued to find out more and visit here myself, as although I live in the North East and have visited many places in Northumberland, I had never visited The Alnwick Garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HOW TO GET THERE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Alnwick Garden is situated just off the A1 at Alnwick in Northumberland, and is well signposted if travelling by car. Buses connect Alnwick to surrounding towns and also Newcastle. If travelling by train, the east coast line stops at Alnmouth which is 4 miles away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE ALNWICK GARDEN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Alnwick...

JEFFJEN 17.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Gardening for Wildlife

Advantages: Encourages a mini eco-system right on your doorstep
Disadvantages: Does involve a small amount of effort!

...It is a widely held belief that gardening is good for you. It is good exercise, it builds confidence and self-esteem, and it promotes a sense of inner peace like nothing else on earth. In short, it can heal the mind and soothe the soul and really should be handed out in blocks of 1 hour on prescription in place of chemicals and drugs that fool your brain into thinking you are fine. I am a great believer in gardening for good health, and, having been treated for depression last year, have found my garden the most therapeutic and important element of my healing process. My garden is an oasis of cool, soft-edged light, filtering through trees and climbers. Gentle sounds of wind chimes and bells ring out through the space, and although I am close to a busy main road, you wouldn't know, for the air is clear and quiet. It is the most...

phoenixgreen 10.09.2006 (14.06.2007) · Read review
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Review of Member Advice on Gardening

Busch Gardens

Advantages: read opp
Disadvantages: read opp

...Well having wanted to visit Busch Gardens on a number of occasions and unfortunately not being given the chance, I felt I had to visit the place during my recent visit to Florida. I had always heard mix reactions about the theme park, some complimenting it, whilst other simply saying it was not there thing. Nevertheless, I was still determined to visit it, at least once to squash the rumours and determine for myself whether this place was thumbs up or thumbs down. History of Bush Gardens Africa (Tampa Bay): Bush Gardens is the name of two of the biggest theme parks in America, one in Tampa Bay, Florida, and the other one in Williamsburg, Virginia. Bush Gardens is currently owned by Busch Entertainment Corporation. Busch Gardens Africa was first opened in 1959, and was a 340 acre African themed, safari park. The park was...

jaygami1986 30.04.2008 · Read review
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Review of Busch Gardens, Tampa

Weekend break at the Hampshire

Advantages: Complete luxury in the most central London location
Disadvantages: £600+ final bill

...I recently stayed at the Hampshire for 2 nights during a theatre trip with my partner. As a treat I booked a junior suite (through radissonedwardian.com). At a nightly rate of £261 (ex. VAT) it was not cheap, but we were rewarded with a wonderful room right at the heart of Leicester Square with a very comfy king size bed, leather sofa, mini bar, marble bathroom with seperate toilet cubicle, shower, bath, and double wash basins. It was spacious, spotless, and with a great view of the Square (from the 4th floor). Hotel staff were friendly and courteous, and service prompt, professional, unfussy, and discreet. Our bags were carried to the room without hesitation. We took breakfast in the room and even though we were told to allow a half hour 'window', it still arrived exactly at the stated time. There was far to much food though. I...

IanJ99 30.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel, London