Lowther Castle, UK

All gardens are a work in progress, some more than others. Designer du jour Dan Pearson is the man charged with re-imagining the vast space at Lowther Castle, both inside the roofless shell and out. To date, he has produced a shady woodland-esque space within the ruins, a much-lauded twist on a traditional parterre immediately outside and, at one remove, a swirling densely planted rose garden hidden in the woods. There is a rock garden to be restored, a Japanese garden in its infancy, tree-lined walks and views out over the countryside beyond. The sheer scale of the site is overwhelming – and I imagine the task ahead is daunting. But there are signs that something rather special is in the offing. It’s definitely one to re-visit in about 10 years’ time. Watch this space.