OK, it’s not Kew Botanical Gardens, nor even Monet’s Garden in Giverny, but this little herb garden in Rygge, near Moss, is a charming place for a wander. It is the brainchild of local resident Anne Sofie Larsen, who has spent the last 20 years weeding, planting, watering and generally speaking nurturing this plot of land into what it is today. A labour of love indeed. ‘Welcome to my garden’, entices the sign by the gate. From the dirt road a narrow path leads into a wood, past a little pond and on to the prize-winning garden. The idea behind Anne Sofie’s life project is for people to enjoy themselves here, and take some time to reflect on the nature around them, and the joy it gives them. She herself has been diagnosed with cancer three times, but refused to give up the fight against illness, and found much comfort working, and relaxing, in this garden. Here and there insightful quotes (in Norwegian) engraved on slate or rock have been placed by a fern, a tree trunk or by the mulch path, where a few strategically located benches also invite to contemplation. At night candles light the way. The garden itself, although small, boasts 300 different kinds of plants, including local herbs and flowers, and information on their history and use. On the day we visited earlier this summer, a multitude of butterflies and bumblebees were also buzzing in the flowerbeds. Concerts occasionally take place here, and you can buy plants in the barn if you so wish (a nice way to contribute financially to the upkeep of the garden). There are also several short walks departing from the car park if you want to explore the area further.

Vestre Pålsrød, Rygge. Tel: 69 26 33 85, www.urtehagen.no. Free entrance (please leave bikes at the gate if you cycle there).