What's happening in April

In the gardens the magnolias are coming into blossom, together with some of the earlier rhododendrons and azaleas. There are camellias flowering in the shrub beds, whilst several species of euphorbia are flowering in the herbaceous borders. In the woods there are carpets of wood anemones.

What the gardeners are doing this month:

Depending on the weather, we will be mowing and edging the lawns, mulching beds and borders and keeping on top of any weeding. The first vegetables will be planted out in the kitchen garden, and the greenhouses will be full of summer bedding and half hardy perennials, to be planted out at the end of the month.

Birds and wildlife to look out for:

Deer, foxes and rabbits are regular visitors to the gardens, and occasionally badgers pass through. The resident garden birds are busy building nests in the grounds and raising their families, we have put up plenty of nest boxes in the grounds to help them. Swallows, martins and swifts will be arriving soon from their winter quarters in Africa.

Designer gardens

Come explore the 30 acre Thomas Mawson designed Arts and Crafts garden. With views over Windermere and towards the Langdale Pikes, this is a garden with a magnificent backdrop.

Depending on the season you can walk along the terraces to see dazzling displays of camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons filling the air with delicate fragrances.

Elsewhere there's the cherished Handkerchief Tree with its fluttering white flowers and the beautiful vivid crimson blooms of the Chilean Lantern Tree. Other features include:

• Herbaceous and mixed borders
• Old fashioned and shrub roses
• Wildflower meadow
• Kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables, herbs and cut flowers

We use environmentally friendly techniques including composting, recycling and the minimal use of pesticides, peat and water resources. The gardens are home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife and are open 365 days from dawn until 6pm.