Glorious Gardens from Above

Christine Walkden is in the air above two glorious Gloucestershire gardens.

At Hidcote Manor Garden she cuts an underperforming shrub down to size and meets Sue, for whom the garden is an inspiration. At Kiftsgate Court Gardens she tackles an enormous rambling rose. We discover the arts and crafts heritage of the Cotswolds.

Christine Walkden heads for the lakes and fells of Cumbria to visit some more magnificent gardens.

At Levens Hall she lends a hand planting some spring bulbs, and hears some of lakeland lad Len's special memories. At Holehird she meets the dedicated volunteers who have restored this 19th-century garden to its former glory. And we discover the spur to Beatrix Potter's prolific writing career.

Christine Walkden floats over the landlocked Midlands county of Staffordshire.

At Biddulph Grange she takes to the water to help remove some unwelcome guests and meets Helen, the 'heart of the garden'. At Shugborough Hall she rallies the troops for a spot of tree hugging and we discover how the area's proud industrial heritage shaped the county's landscape.

Christine Walkden's balloon travels over the flattest part of Britain as she descends on Norfolk.

At East Ruston Gardens she helps cut a hole in a hedge and meets Kathryn, a very determined woman. At the Bressingham Gardens, Christine assists in preparing a tree for felling and we discover the fascinating human history of the Norfolk Broads.

Christine Walkden flies above the green expanses of Hampshire, dropping in on two spectacular gardens.

At Mottisfont she meets a gardening veteran who's handing over the reins to his young protegee, and at the Sir Harold Hillier Garden she learns about keeping it in the family. And she climbs into a pair of waders for some very unusual weeding.

Christine Walkden heads to the Scottish county of Aberdeenshire.

Her balloon takes her to Crathes Castle, ancient seat of Scottish nobles, where she learns about the challenges of gardening in an unforgiving climate and meets Doug, whose father left his mark on the estate. And she gets to grips with some smelly skunk cabbage at what claims to be Britain's highest garden, Tillypronie.