Hot Springs was designed and built to illustrate, with our increasingly warm climate, how many semi-tropical and exotic plants can now be grown outdoors in the UK. The greater proportion of plants and trees in this garden originated in the southern hemisphere, brought back to Europe by the explorers, botanists and collectors who ventured to the New World. Looking across a lushly planted pond with its soothing, bubbling water and gentle drifting stream, the onlooker is invited to walk across a rustic bridge to a hideaway on stilts, standing in water. Using plants such as lotus, ferns, cannas, bananas and tree ferns, this exotic garden takes on a semi-tropical atmosphere.

Above: Water lillies centre stage in the Hot Springs garden

Top: Cliff Richard and Gloria Hunniford visit Hot Springs