Alderholt is situated far from the main roads but it is nevertheless an ideal “base camp” for a lot of excursions in all directions. There is something for every liking: Towns to go shopping, historic remains of every age, a lot of nature from the heath to the sea and of course the gardens! Right here already the first tip: To go south don’t take the A338 like always but try the parallel road west of it, a tiny little street going to Ringwood via Harbridge Green. The route leads through vast woodland with large hedges of rhododendron. When we were here everything was fully blooming – yes, I know that rhododendron sprawls very fast and takes other plants the place to grow. Nevertheless it looks beautiful.
If anything – the vegetation! Talking of South England you always connect it with the marvellous gardens and parks to visit and to marvel at. Our tip: Compton Acres. These gardens are situated in the metropolitan area of Bournemouth and Poole, exactly on the frontier between both cities but still belonging to Poole. The park was built in 1924 and nowadays you can stroll it for hours and always discover new and interesting corners.
Compton Acres is divided into five subject areas. The “Italian Garden” with ponds, fountains, classical statues leads to a little garden with palms.
The „Wooded Valley“ you reach via intricate pathways along waterfalls downhill through pine wood, rhododendron and camellias.
The path leads on crossing the „Rock and Water Garden“ to the „Heather Garden“.
Finally you reach the „Japanese Garden“, in proper style with teahouse and according plants.