This is a really great place for a picnic, with lots of open beautiful grassy areas, and really great for just walking around and seeing what is has to offer. My partner and I loved the darker damper areas under tree cover, and there were even some nice streams. We saw many people walking their dogs and even a nice open are where people had their dogs off-leash. Wonderful place to visit to just relax on a weekend. The only downside is the parking was a bit difficult on a Saturday, but still not impossible.
I come here alot for a walk and a picnic with my mates and kids. My Husband and I also had our wedding ceremony here. We ended up having to use the covered courtyard as it was raining, which was still beautiful....but it got a lil ruined when staff tried to kick us out in the middle of taking photo's as they wanted to lock up....was pretty rude as they should of realised we were kind of limited to where we could have the photo's because of the rain.
Need somewhere to run the kids and kill a few hours in nature? Away to the gardens! the place is just fab and all rambling and wonderful for those of us under four feet with energy to burn and the imagination to match. The SUPERB Childrens Garden is a favourite and the coffee in the cafe is decent for mum too. The various sculpture exhibitons featured are a plus but we go all year round because the place is just wonderful - and if it's raining all you need is a raincoat and gumboots :-) (also our dog loves the off leash it up the back too)