Geilston Garden

Geilston Garden at Cardross is a small country-house garden on the north bank of the Clyde, typical of the estates Glasgow merchants built along the river, with a walled garden of 1797 dominated by a giant wellingtonia, a 40-metre herbaceous border, a rose garden and, beyond, a kitchen garden whose fruit, vegetables and cut flowers are sold at the gate in season. Paths lead down through woodland along the Geilston Burn, with a woodland adventure area for young children and an orchard, and the National Trust for Scotland has added an edible ornamental garden to the kitchen garden. Reviewers call it a hidden gem, praise the gardeners for chatting about their vegetables, and note there is a small hut selling drinks but no cafe or shelter from rain. Tips from visitors: the kitchen garden peaks from late summer, Cardross station is a 20-minute walk and a bus stops at the gate, parking is by the reception hut, and dogs are welcome on leads.