With a wealth of established Gardens here in the UK, we'd be silly to look elsewhere for beautiful Winter scenes now the weather has turned:

In this post, we'll show you how the gardens were looking last week as a blanket of snow hit areas all over the UK:

 

 

RHS Garden Harlow Carr in snow (rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Harlow-Carr) - Picture: ALAMY

The frost covered branches here at the RHS Garden in Harlow-Carr glimmer as the light catches on them. This might be a beautiful sight, but what does this mean for your garden furniture? Protection! We have a fantastic range of weather covers suitable for benches and picnic tables, which are perfect for fending off the wet and cold. 

Mottisfont, Hampshire (nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont) - Picture: JASON INGRAM

The National Trust gardens in Mottisfont, Hampshire look stunning as the water sprays up over the weir, and with opening hours all the way through Christmas, theres no reason not to go and enjoy the serene beauty of this wonderful resource. 

Winter grasses at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire (rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Harlow-Carr) - Picture: ALAMY

The Winter grasses highlight the dew which has been transformed into brittle morning frost. 

Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire (waddesdon.org.uk)

The manor currently has two light installations by Bruce Munro, Blue Moon on a Platter and Angel of Light open until Jan 1st. Closed Dec 24th, 25th & 26th (waddesdon.org.uk). 

RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon (rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Rosemoor) - Picture: ALAMY

 More Winter grasses this time at RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon. 

Sparkle: The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland (alnwickgarden.com)

This beautiful walkway is adorned with lights. When the lighting installation is activated, the hornbeam pergola will be illuminated with blue and white lights.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden (botanic.cam.ac.uk)

The Cambridge University Botanic Garden is one of the UK's most reknowned gardens. Open 10am-4pm November - January, the beautiful wintery hues can be viewed in peace all day.

Another close up shot from the Cambridge University Botanic Garden (botanic.cam.ac.uk) 

The Winter Walk at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire (nationaltrust.org.uk/angleseyabbey) - Picture: NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES 

These silver birch trees form part of the Winter Walk at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire. This garden has fantastic walks and scenic places to sit and enjoy the local birds and wildlife. For opening times please check the national trust site link above!

Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales (nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden) - Picture: NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES

 Bridge walkers at Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales are enjoying the natural wonders of great british gardens. But how long until that water is frozen?!

The Winter Garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire (nationaltrust.org.uk/dunhammassey) - Picture: JONATHAN BUCKLEY

The Winter Garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire is open all year round, just like most of our favourite UK gardens.

If we stop supporting these fantastic resources, then unfortunately the gardens wont survive to be around for generations to come. We all have a responsibility to express our love for these national institutions. 

So if you're looking for a garden to attend this Christmas, then the best place for you to check out all the details is the National Trust's visit page: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/

If you would like more information about the beautiful gardens and walks in the Henley-in-Arden area, then give us a call or pop us an email! 

Remember that if youre intending on keeping your benches or garden furniture outdoors this winter, you can protect them from the harsh weather with our weather covers available in many sizes.

Sudden changes in temperature, moisture, and pest/insect infestations such as woodworm, dry rot, etc. can play havoc with your wood furniture. Wood can dry out, rot away, or get infested weakening it over time and destroying your garden furniture. Every homeowner knows the importance of protecting outdoor furniture from these environmental threats.

Preparing for Autumn/Winter: The Effects of Cold Weather on Wood

Wood absorbs moisture and warmth from the air. It swells with heat and moisture in the summer and heavy rainy simply worsens the effects. Wooden garden furniture especially is prone to contract and expand as the temperature changes. As the summer ends and autumn arrives; it is all the more important to protect your wooden furniture from the cold.

Darwin Garden Bench 1.8m

Cold weather makes wood dry and brittle. It speeds up dry rot infestation as well. Wooden furniture is especially susceptible to damage in places that see large variations between day and night temperatures.

The daily cycle of expansion during warmer afternoons, and contractions during cold nights can ruin your furniture for good by affecting its lustre, shine, shape and sonorous qualities. Outdoor furniture, such as a wooden garden bench, is especially prone to damage and needs strong protection measures.

How to Protect Outdoor Wooden Furniture From the Elements

Wood preserver is a chemical solution that protects wood from woodworm, dry and wet rot, and halts the daily cycle of expansion-contraction with temperature variations.

Wood preserver is applied to furniture either at the time of manufacture, or later on, and is vital to prolonging the life of wooden garden furniture in particular.

Wood preserver is mainly available in three varieties, depending on the primary chemical used:

 - Organic solvent preservatives
 - Copper chromium arsenic
 - Alkaline copper quaternary

These chemicals fill the microscopic gaps present in wooden furniture, and suitably expand and contract with temperature changes. Organic solvents are preferable to the other two varieties because they are non-toxic and can be more efficient at preserving wood.

You can also buy natural wooden preservatives from most hardware stores these days. Unlike the above mentioned chemical preservatives, these natural preservatives, such as linseed and tung oil, are completely non-toxic.

Coating your furniture, especially outdoor furniture like a wooden garden bench, with wood preserver is essential during the winter season. Cold temperatures are unkind to wood; keep your furniture protected by using a quality wood preserver.