I think what someone told your wife is based on a single unfortunate experience. Fact is you can have a spell of rain like that any time. I don't think May is particularly rainy though this year was, but we have not had a very good summer this year. I would have thought that for rhododendroms early may would be more likely than late May.
Gardens - Northern Royal Horticultural society at Harlow Carr in Harrogate, Yorkshire. In the Lakes there is , I think it is called, Troutbeck Hall. A rather lovely part of the country. The Lake District has to be one of my favourite areas followed by the Yorkshire Dales.
How are you planning to travel around?

My DH and I are considering a trip to the Lake District, Yorkshire, and Scotland ourselves, sometime in the next couple of years. We want to hike, visit gardens, and be awed by a bit of history. Some of my ancestors came from Yorkshire, and he has ancestors from both Yorkshire and Scotland. This goes back a number of generations, so we won't be running into any near relatives, but it would be interesting to see where our forefathers came from.

If we do go on this trip I'd like to time it well, and both in terms of weather and garden viewing. I love old roses and rhododendrons, and we both love hiking through scenic landscapes. Throw in the odd ruined castle and life couldn't be better.

Paula

Hie paula

Some places to visit in Yorkshire Castle Howard /harewood house/ Bramham park / Studley royal / York gate garden / Scampton hall /Parceval hall / and the city of York /the east Coast with Ravenscar and robin hood bay it's gorgious /Harlow carr botanical garden and in the Cumbria Levens hall one of the post atonished topiary garden / and the landscape of The Dales and the moors.
Don't forgive yours Charlotte Brontee books ?

Enjoy this magis land.

Eric

Don't miss Harrogate, the Valley Gardens, and the walk through them to Harlow Carr. It's about a 2 mile walk, I believe. I had a brilliant time in early October 2004. Of course it rained, and I ended up viewing Harlow Carr in a downpour. I didn't mind, because I had the gardens almost completely to myself, and the cafe/garden center/shop is nice and warm.

I expected rain, though, and took a wool overcoat, a wool shawl/scarf, an umbrella and waterproof walking shoes.

I also took copious notes, and have since ordered nearly all of the plants that caught my eye.

I also liked just wandering around York and the surrounding area--I had a one-week course for my job, and used the weekend before and after the course to explore York, plus the early mornings and early evenings to walk to other nearby villages.

It does rain a lot in the UK, regardless of time of year, so it's best to be prepared for it as I was (I lived in the UK for about 2 years as a child). Don't let the rain stop you, though, or you will miss out on a lot.

I know it's probably a bit late, but one other plus for RHS Harlow Carr outside Harrogate is that now Betty's Teashop runs the cafe there, and Betty's is absolutely marvelous! I had the best tea I've ever tasted there. One word of warning--Betty's isn't cheap. I thought the prices were worth it, though.

Okay--all of the UK isn't cheap, what with a horrible exchange rate and other factors--but I'd vacation in Yorkshire again in a heartbeat and cost be hanged.