The best National Trust gardens to visit for spring flowers

Some countries have a fleeting spring, summer heat quickly taking over from the winter freeze. But here we have a long, slow build-up. So although there might be lots to do in your own garden, there is also time to go out and take a deeper draught. In the National Trust’s gardens and woodlands, with their acres of bulbs and blossom, there is the opportunity for full-scale immersion – and invariably a planting idea to bring back, too. Here are 15 to visit for inspiring and uplifting displays of s