Have I found a 'free lunch'?

If you ever wanted a clear example of the importance pricing plays in a marketing strategy to increase the desirability of a product or service, then look no further thanThe Royal Landscape, part of The Crown Estate near Windsor.

The area is broken down into three areas, namely The Savill Garden, Virginia Water and The Valley Gardens all housed within the Windsor Great Park. Very fortunately I live on the doorstep of this thousand acre site, and utilise its entirety often for various family activities.

Arguably the leading attraction is The Savill Garden, a 35 acre site wonderfully fronted by the strikingly modern The Savill Building, a 2007 RIBA Sterling Award Finalist. As you would expect this garden offers diverse planting with a myriad of plants, design and landscaping and of particular splendour is the fairly new contemporary rose garden addition, designed by RHS judge Andrew Wilson.

But for me and particularly around this time of year, ‘the jewel in the crown estate’ is The Valley Gardens. This 200 acre site is showcase to the rhododendron and azalea, containing innumerable varieties, culminating in the spectacular display found in the very aptly named ‘punchbowl’.

With copious ground coverings of narcissus, bluebells, lily of the valley and hostas among others, the endless and vast varieties of rhododendron and azaleas litter the site alongside the camellias, magnolias, dogwoods and acers.

These well established gardens offer spectacular vistas, with delightful hidden pathways that truly immerse you within the planting, all of which have been painstakingly labelled, so whether you coming here to contemplate, for garden ideas, a family day out or just simply to be inspired, you will not be disappointed.

Now back to my first thought, entry to The Savill Garden requires payment (with some periodic exceptions) and attracts crowds of visitors. Meanwhile and I might regret sharing this with you, The Valley Gardens, ½ a mile away are free for entry and at times whilst enjoying them I have barely seen a soul. Each are equally rewarding to the horticultural enthusiast, so why the disparity in visitors? It appears that despite tougher times, we still often require a monetary exchange for an experience to be more gratifying.

It’s another excellent example of why it’s so important to occasionally stray off the worn and trodden path both metaphorically and physically, even if it’s only slightly!