You've not been to Flatford yet? See what you've been missing!

This week I had the huge pleasure of visiting the RSPB's only dedicated wildlife garden at Flatford.

For those of you who don't know the area, this is 'Constable country' in the Dedham Vale in Suffolk, with the site of The Haywain just a few steps away.

The garden is only about a third of an acre in size, but packs in so much for wildlife on a site that barely four years ago was a mass of Japanese Knotweed.

I was shown around by Head Gardener, Shirley Boyle (below), and she and her largely volunteer team are doing a great job of giving nature a home and inspiring visitors to do likewise.

It was so lovely to see so many people taking time out from their trip to the National Trust's Flatford Mill next door to just relax and stroll around the garden, enjoy the rich planting or, in the case of the many children who came through, make bee boxes to take home.

As well as the many Red Admiral butterflies, bumblebees and high flying dragonflies, I was astonished to be shown Willow Emerald Damselflies, which were dotted all over the garden. A very recent coloniser from mainland Europe to this south eastern fringe of the UK, it seems likely that it will push on now into other parts of the country. Amazing to think that such a fragile creature crossed the North Sea in only the last 5 years to set up home here.

If you'd like to see the garden and are within striking distance of Suffolk, get yourself along - you are guaranteed a warm welcome. Entry is free (although there is a charge for the National Trust car park), and the garden is open daily until the end of October, 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.