THIS year marks the 400th anniversary of Spetchley Park's ownership by the Berkeley family.

It was first purchased by Rowland Berkeley in 1606 and much of the landscape today - including parts of the garden and the magnificent deer park, which has its own herd of 200 red and fallow deer, dates back to that time.

The 30-acre gardens at Spetchley Park, two miles outside Worcester, are considered by some, to be among the finest in England - a real 'plantsman's paradise'.

They have a wonderful romantic atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era.

The gardens are open to the public every Wednesday to Sunday from March 22 to September 30 from11am to 6pm and then weekends in October from 11am to 4pm.

To mark the 400th anniversary on April 23 there will be a Rare Plant Fair.

On July 1, the grounds will resonate to superb music from many of the best West End musicals, as the much acclaimed 'Best of the West End' show comes to Spetchley.

On August 19, there will be the chance to enjoy the magic of one of Shakespeare's best loved plays - Romeo & Juliet - performed by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company.