YOU don't have to be a green-fingered expert or a horticultural enthusiast to appreciate a beautiful garden.

The break in the weather, being all Spring-like as we should really expect at this time of year, has prompted many of us to get out and about and visiting gardens around our area expands our opportunity, particularly as we look forward to the summer.

Of course, blooming inspiration and spectacularly-styled landscaped lay-outs don't come any better than in the gardens created and shaped by the renowned English landscape architect, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

Renowned as 'England's greatest gardener,' examples of his stunning work can be viewed within many of the gardens surrounding Yorkshire's finest country estates and houses.

And, as this year commemorates the 300th anniversary of his birth, it provides the perfect opportunity to see his work in all its splendour within some of the county's landmark locations.

Harewood House, near Leeds, boasts beautiful naturalistic landscapes including key Brownian features, such as the 32 acre serpentine lake, cascade and encircling drives still evident today after Edwin Lascelles employed Brown to transform the gardens in 1775.

The project took six years to complete and the stunning vistas have provided a back-drop for the likes of renowned artist JMW Turner.

Another local example of 'Capability' Brown's work can be found at Temple Newsam in Leeds. In the 1760s Brown was commissioned to create a serene and picturesque landscape for Charles Ingram, the 9th Viscount Irwin.

Although the plan wasn't followed completely, Brown's vision is evident in the open grassland, woodlands, views and vistas within this 18th century landscape which also boasts intimate formal gardens.

Many hallmarks of 'Capability' Brown's style are still evident within Scampston Hall's stunning parkland. It is also believed Brown also designed the hall before it was remodelled in the Regency period.

His most notable work was the creation of the Lower Lake, or New River and the waterworks including the cascade. Brown made them appear as a river through the landscape. Visitors will also appreciate the vistas carefully framed by trees and other natural features.

In 1772 Brown was commissioned to landscape the 300 acres of historic Grade II listed parkland surrounding the Hall at Burton Constable, an Elizabethan home to the Constable family.

Located near Hull, this stunning site incorporates two lakes from a series of fishponds separated by a magnificent bridge along with a ha-ha wall. Brown also planted thousands of trees and sunk fences, recently restored along with the bridge.

During the 18th Century he was contracted to bring 'order' to the valley - surrounding Roche Abbey in Maltby. Brown set to work creating a lake where the southern buildings of the English Cistercian Abbey once stood. A waterfall and irregular tree group planting in the surrounding fields also feature in the completed design.

Brown also levelled part of the ruin walls to make way for a grassed foreground providing a view from a banqueting lodge. However, much of this work has since been undone to restore the medieval ruins of the abbey.

In 1777 Brown designed the park at Sledmere House near Driffield. His plans still survive in the house.

Today Sledmere's tranquil grounds are surrounded by trees and gardens. A paved sculpture court, an 18th century walled rose garden and a recently laid out Knot garden also feature.

To find out more about events celebrating the anniversary of 'Capability' Brown's birth, visit capabilitybrown.org.

To plan your visit to the featured properties, or for more information about them you can access the Harewood House website at visit harewood.org or call 0113 218 1010; Burton Constable - visit burtonconstable.com or call 01964 562400; Sledmere House visit sledmerehouse.com or call 01377 236637; Scampston Hall visit scampston.co.uk or call 01944 759111 or to find out more about Roche Abbey visit english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/roche-abbey or call 01709 812739.