A
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
The over 70-acre Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, as well as a popular tourist attraction. It is the second oldest botanic garden in Britain. Originally founded in 1670 as a garden to grow medicinal plants, its living collection consists of more than 15,000 plants.
Open daily from 10 am (except December 25 and January 31). Closed at 4 pm (Nov. —Feb.) 6 pm (Mar. and Oct.), 7 pm (Apr. —Sept.)
Entry: Free (Tel: 01315 527171)
The Dingle Garden, Wales
The Dingle Garden is set in the heart of beautiful mid-Wales. The four-acre garden is south-facing with paths that wind down the slope (斜坡) to a lake and small waterfall. The beds are colour-themed to look good all year round. This peaceful garden, full of wildlife, is the perfect spot for a relaxing wander at any time of year.
Open daily 9 am—5 pm. Only closed for one week at Christmas.
Entry: Adults ￡3, seniors ￡3, children free (Tel: 01938555145)
Groombridge Place, Kent
Groombridge Place in Kent, set in 200 acres of wooded parkland, has been the inspiration for books, films and television programmes. Inside the garden walls at Groombridge Place lies a hidden world. For three hundred years these gardens were unseen, except by a favoured few. The gardens were laid out in the 17th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries new plants were introduced and many trees were planted.
Late Mar.—early Nov.: Open daily from 10 am to 5: 30 pm (or dusk if earlier)
Entry: Adults ￡8.95, seniors and children￡7.45 (Tel: 01892861444)
Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire
Hidcote garden covers 10.5 acres of gently sloping ground. It was designed by a plant collector who sponsored（发起）and participated in plant hunting expeditions (考察队) to secure rare and unusual species for this extremely pretty garden.
Open from the end of March to early November.
March 24 to July 1 and during September, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Thursdays and Fridays. July 2 to August 31, 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Thursdays. October 1 to November 4, 10 am to 5 pm, closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
Entry: Adults ￡7. 27, children ￡3, 36, family ￡18. 18 (Tel: 01386 438333)
21. From the text we can learn that Royal Botanic Garden __________.
A. is the oldest botanic garden B. is free of charge for visitors
C. opens daily from 10 am to 4 pm D. has a few medicinal plants
22. Which of the gardens is the smallest in size?
A. The Dingle Garden B. Groombridge Place.
C. Royal Botanic Garden. D. Hidcote Manor Garden.
23. It seems that both Groombridge Place and Hidcote Manor Garden __________.
A. cover a large area B. display rare and unusual species
C. are closed during winter D. are crowded with visitors in summer
