Britain's top 10 gardens and aprks to be honoured with green plaques


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Britain's most iconic outdoor spaces have been honoured with a series of English Heritage style green plaques.

Ten top green spaces, from the Blue Peter garden to the spot where Sir Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity and the Peter Pan statue in London's Kensington Gardens, are being celebrated to chart the UK's long-standing love of the outdoors.

The so-called Mossy Memories signs, created by Homebase, will mark green spaces in much the same way that English Heritage blue plaques celebrate the homes of historic figures.

London retreat: Kensington Gardens, the manicured lawns around Kensington Palace, inspired Peter Pan author JM Barrie

London retreat: Kensington Gardens, the manicured lawns around Kensington Palace, inspired Peter Pan author JM Barrie

Family friendly: Childhood books featured heavily on the list, including Peter Pan which took inspiration from Kensington Gardens

Family friendly: Childhood books featured heavily on the list, including Peter Pan which took inspiration from Kensington Gardens

Historic tree: Sir Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity after sitting under an apple tree at Woolsthorpe Manor

Historic tree: Sir Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity after sitting under an apple tree at Woolsthorpe Manor

Topping the list as Britain's most iconic green space and the first recipient of a green plaque is Sherwood Forest, reputed home of outlaw Robin Hood.

The Nottinghamshire Royal forest topped the poll with 39 per cent of the vote when Britons were asked to choose their favourite parks and gardens associated with historic figures and film and television references.

 

The original Blue Peter Garden in London came in second place followed by another television favourite - the Surbiton garden from TV series The Good Life.

The three green spaces are among 10 that are being honoured with 'green plaques' by Homebase, in a bid to celebrate Brains' parks as much as English Heritage's Blue Plaques celebrate the homes of historic figures.

Legendary woods: Outlaw Robin Hood hid away in Sherwood Forest

Legendary woods: Outlaw Robin Hood hid away in Sherwood Forest

Mossy moments: Sherwood Forest topped the poll of iconic green spaces
Mossy Memories: A famous John Constable landscape was also honoured

Mossy Moments: While Sherwood Forest took the number one spot, The Hay Wain, immortalised in a John Constable paintings, was also honoured

While television programmes may have prompted the second and third spots, the top 10 list is dominated by works of art, historic tales and literary links.

Flatford Mill, on the Suffolk-Essex border, featured in John Constable's painting The Hay Wain and took fourth place in the poll, followed by Regents Park in London, which inspired Mary Poppins' garden scenes.

Another childhood favourite is London's Kensington Gardens, which Peter Pan flies to from his nursery, which came in sixth place.

And Beatrix Potter's Lake District land, which now forms part of the National Park, also made it into the top 10, so did Alnwick Castle, which featured as the film location in the first two Harry Potter movies.

Plymouth Hoe, where Sir Francis Drake was allegedly playing bowls when he found out about the Spanish Armada, was also honoured in seventh place.

Southern delight: Sir Francis Drake was allegedly playing bowls at Plymouth Hoe when he found out about the Spanish Armada

Southern delight: Sir Francis Drake was allegedly playing bowls at Plymouth Hoe when he found out about the Spanish Armada

Wizard retreat: Alnwick Castle was used for the filming of the first tow Harry Potter films

Wizard retreat: Alnwick Castle was used for the filming of the first tow Harry Potter films

And Woolsthorpe Manor, where an apple dropped on Sir Isaac Newton's head and inspired his thoughts on gravity, location of the apple tree that inspired Sir Isaac Newton's thoughts on gravity

Almost half of those questioned (49 per cent) said they chose their green space because 'it is a beautiful place', while 46 per cent of people noted the historical relevance as the reason they selected it.

And 31 per cent of those polled said they chose their favourite spot as it reminded them of their childhood.

BRITAIN'S TOP 10 GREEN SPACES

1.      Sherwood Forest, alleged home to heroic outlaw Robin Hood
2.    Original Blue Peter Garden in London
3.    The Good Life TV series garden in Surbiton
4.    Flatford Mill, featured in John Constable's painting The Hay Wain
5.    Regents Park which inspired Mary Poppins' garden scenes
6.    Kensington Gardens where Peter Pan flies to from his nursery
7.    Plymouth Hoe, where Sir Francis Drake heard about the Spanish Armada
8.    Beatrix Potter's Lake District land which now forms a large part of the National Park
9.    Woolsthorpe Manor, where Sir Isaac Newton was inspired by an apple
10.  Alnwick Castle, Hogwarts film location in the first two Harry Potter films


Adam Frost, designer of Homebase's 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, said: 'The garden is a space that is enjoyed by different generations. Whether it's planting some flowers, exploring nature or playing games, it's the perfect backdrop to reflect upon and create our own memories.

'This year's Homebase Chelsea Garden celebrates the importance of memories and creates a place where we can reflect and reminisce about the moments in time that make us who we are.

'This is true of all the spaces being awarded a green plaque, and although castles and rivers may not feature in everyone's back garden, these UK landmarks can influence small elements such as water features, pathways and flower beds.'



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