This book has provided a glorious reminder of brighter days, expansive gardens and impressive planting. And has also given me a desire to revisit some of the stunning properties in this region.

Helmingham Hall, Wyken Vineyards and The Manor in Hemingford Grey (the former home of the children's writer Lucy M. Boston) are all favourites of mine, and I'm eager to see them again in all their splendour.

There are 22 gardens included in the book, spanning Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex, and for each one there is a detailed account of the notable features as well as a short history of the owners and designers. It's supported with wonderful photography, as you would hope in a large coffee table book format.

I first bought this book as a gift, but soon realised that it's a title that I need to have on my own bookshelf, and on a grey, rainy day it's the perfect tonic!