HARLOW CARR GARDENS: IT can be something of a craving for lovers of gardens at this time of year - the almost overwhelming need to see the first signs of growth.

Such a craving drove me to pay a visit to the gardens at Harlow Carr in Harrogate. The chance that snowdrops and aconites could be strutting their stuff on the slopes while, among the trees, hawthorn leaves could be unfurling and magnolia buds starting to swell was one I could not miss.

Information on the website carried creditable detail. It seemed that nothing had been overlooked. News that a plan of the recommended route for wheelchair users is being developed and important details of the adapted toilets was welcome. Reading also that the gardens span no less than 58 acres on a sloping site was useful. I felt that manhandling my manual wheelchair around may be a bit too exhausting so I decided to ring and reserve one of the three motorised wheelchairs which are available free of charge.

On arrival, I was welcomed by at least 15 dedicated parking bays to the left of the main drive, with a further five or so to the right which are closer to the garden entrance. I used my walking sticks to get from the car to the entrance but this was almost too far and many visitors with disabilities would perhaps prefer assistance at this point. It would be a good idea to sort this out in advance. Once through reception, I was soon sitting in my motorised wheelchair which was ready and waiting, fully charged, on the patio. I was also delighted to discover that the Garden Map referred to earlier is actually available now. My copy clearly showed places where slopes would be encountered and two suggested routes, Blue and Yellow.

The first is "Suitable for electric wheelchair use in good weather only" while the second has hard-surface paths suitable for "push wheelchair use".

In warmer, drier weather there would be a significantly larger area for wheelchair users to explore. But this was a fine sunny winter's day with its own charms (notwithstanding numb knees and toes) and I meandered through a wide variety of attractions including the herb garden, the scented garden, the winter garden and a woodland ramble.

Unfortunately, several of the woodland paths were out of bounds due to tree felling so it would be worth asking about such restrictions before travelling. Another thing that became clear while wandering round was that there is a huge number of benches which is an asset sadly overlooked on the map.

It is information such as this that could possibly coax someone with limited mobility out of a wheelchair knowing that the area is replete with resting places.

It was at lunchtime that the only real complication of the day was encountered because there were no refreshment facilities within the garden itself - the Tea House shown on the map was closed, presumably for winter. Realising this and attempting to manoeuvre the chair through a door en route to Betty's (next to the garden entrance) I started something of a security alert and my bid for freedom was promptly thwarted. It emerges that, should you fancy a cup of tea, the procedure is:

Return the electric wheelchair to the garden entrance

Transfer to a manual wheelchair, return to your car and get your own or locate your walking sticks and hobble to Betty's

Join the queue.

Quite a palaver. Of course, one perfectly simple alternative is to bring a flask because it is clear that while the above is manageable with an able helper, it does little for your independence and dignity, not to mention your thirst. The message is clear, Betty's is not easily accessible to garden visitors with a wheelchair to lug around. This caf is a separate franchise to Harlow Carr and, while handy to most visitors, can be a little awkward to get to for thirsty independent wheelchair users.

So, despite having had a taste of what could be a wonderful day out, I had finished on something of a low note. It seemed sad to me that while Harlow Carr have made great efforts to accommodate visitors with disabilities, vital extra bits of information would have made things so much better.

Next time I will have my notepad ready armed with my list of questions before travelling. I will ask for accurate up-to-date information as to which paths are open and passable in a wheelchair, the opening times of the Tea House inside the garden and for an updated map showing seating areas. I suggest you do the same.

* RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, HG3 1QB, tel: (01423) 565418 www.rhs.org.uk.

Betty's cafe and shop, tel: (01423) 505604 .

Published: 08/02/2005