Firestyle Magazine Issue 6 - Winter 2016 | Page 31

There’s nothing better on a crisp winter’s morning than venturing outdoors to explore frosty landscapes and spot winter wildlife. From spectacular landscapes and peaceful parklands to exotic colour with rich scents, National Trust gardeners and volunteers have been working hard to create these beautiful winter wonderlands. Here’s a selection of some the great places just waiting to be discovered during the cold winter months: Trelissick, Cornwall With the mild maritime climate at Trelissick early flowering rhododendrons and camellias bring colour to the garden from February onwards. The borders are scattered with hellebores, cyclamen and snowdrops and the river views are framed and silhouetted by last year’s rhododendron mop heads and towering trees. If it gets too chilly there’s always somewhere to shelter in the summerhouses. Enjoy warming soups and hot food all winter long in the café, where every treat you buy helps the National Trust care for special places like Trelissick for winters to come. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire Dyrham’s garden offers a spectacular scene in winter with patches of colour peeking out through the winter trees including bright blue porcelain berries and vibrant red dogwood. Take a wander through the crisp grasses in the perry pear orchard and enjoy picture perfect scenery as you look over past the bee hives towards St Peter’s Church. Follow the serpent path alongside the ponds back towards the courtyard garden where you might even spot a few robins darting about. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park 31