Journeys, visits or study tours to parks, gardens and designed landscapes are undertaken in order to examine and analyse the various forms of expressions in garden design and their changes that have occurred over long periods of time. In this regard elements of these cultural landscapes, such as hunting stars of the 16th century, the grand axis and avenues of the 17th and 18th century, city layouts and decorations with exotic plants of the 19th century, or sports grounds (Golf, Polo, Football etc.), avenues of trees and arterial roads of the 20th century are of interest. Of relevance is on one hand the quality of the historical design and on the other the existing situation and the current management.
As a conclusion it can be stated that places which are well integrated and connected to and within the local area usually benefit from this integration and the linked respect and engagement of the local population for the site. However, with an increasing commercial orientation, for instance in Burghley, Hatfield but also Great Dixter, the quality of the overall appearance of the gardens tends to suffer to a certain extend. Most sites lack the curatorship of a landscape architect.