Tulip Festival at Pashley Manor Gardens

• 26th April 2016

Being allowed access to a garden before it opens to the public in the morning is a privilege not afforded to many. However, as I am editor of Flora International magazine, this is exactly what happened.

On a bright, sunny and almost frosty April morning, the gates were opened just for me and I was able to wander around these beautiful gardens, admiring tulips which were just beginning to burst into bloom.

The tulip festival is now in its 23rd year and nearly 30,000 tulips are planted each January. Coach loads of garden lovers come to visit for ten days each year whilst the festival is on - and each one is assured of a warm welcome not only from owner James Sellick who regularly roams around his grounds but also from his very hard working staff.

All tulips are clearly labelled which is such a bonus, especially if you fancy buying a bulb or two! And the tranquil setting - even with the crowds - is hard to beat.

Tulip mania of the highest order!