A POPULAR ISLE of Wight estate has been named as a regional finalist for the prestigious Garden of the Year award.

Farringford Estate, in Freshwater, was a regional finalist in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society competition.

Green Island Gardens, in Essex, went on to claim the crown.

The award, run by the nation's biggest garden charity, is based on a ‘feel good’ theme, and the Essex retreat became the fourth overall winner in the competition's history.

Green Island Garden was selected from six regional finalists after visitors chose their favourite gardens in six regions.

The regional finalist for the South-East and Channel Islands was the Isle of Wight's very own Farringford Estate.

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The historic house and gardens is best known for its association with the poet Laureate Lord Tennyson who lived at Farringford House from 1853 to 1892.

The gardens are only seven years old, having been restored by the current owners to commemorate the heritage of Lord Tennyson's former home.

Ahead of his time, Lord Tennyson preferred a more informal landscape which can be observed through the abundance of flowers and trees in the picturesque woodland.