About English Gardens : Britain
is famous for its gardens, and justly so. Some of these gardens are commercial
enterprises and some are purely labours of love. The latter may or may not be
open to public viewing, or may have very restricted opening times. For the purposes
of this list, I have limited the selected gardens to those open regularly to the
public. Many of the finest English gardens gardens are associated with historic
houses, making for a doubly enjoyable visit. For an excellent overview of British
gardens, visit the web site of the National
Gardens Scheme. (highly recommended!)
A 6 acre private garden on the banks of the River Dore, in the beautiful Golden Valley of Herefordshire. The main garden is linked to a riverside wild garden covering a further 4 acres of meadow with unusual trees. The garden is a special treat for plant-lovers, with collections of hellebore, ferns, bamboo, and paeonia.
Abbey Dore Court,
Abbey Dore,
Herefordshire,
England,
HR2 0AD
Once the site of the Abbot of Malmesbury Abbey's garden, the garden today covers 5 acres, and is located directly beside the historic ruins of the Abbey. The gardens are built about a 16th century house, and offer richly colourful garden walks throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
The Abbey House,
Malmesbury,
Wiltshire,
England,
SN16 9AS
First planted in 1765 as a kitchen garden to the nearby castle, this 20-acre garden is now a delightful mix of the formal and the informal. Noted for camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and hydrangeas. Don't miss the nearby swannery.
Bullers Way,
Abbotsbury,
Dorset,
England,
DT3 4LA
At Acorn Bank near Temple Sowerby, the National Trust operates a water mill dating back to 1597. Surrounding the mill is a superb walled garden notable for its profusion of spring blooms, especially daffodils and wood anemones, plus a sunken garden, and a world-famous collection of culinary and medicinal herbs.
Temple Sowerby,
Penrith,
Cumbria,
England,
CA10 1SP
A creation of the Duchess of Northumberland, Alnwick Garden is a delight; a modern garden combining sculpture, water features, and beautiful plants to create a wonderful family attraction. The European Garden features the largest collection of European plants in the UK. Families will love Alnwick Gardens; there are plenty of ewater features and lots of opportunities for the younger generation - and their parents - to get wet.
Denwick Lane,
Alnwick,
Northumberland,
England,
NE66 1YU
100-acre garden and arboretum with something for every season, from hyacynths in springtime through dahlias in summer to the special winter garden.
Quy Road,
Lode,
Cambridge,
Cambridgeshire,
England,
CB5 9EJ
18h century grounds landscaped by Repton. Formal and woodland gardens, statuary, National Collection of Day Lilies.
Torpoint,
Cornwall,
England,
PL11 2QA5
The gardens at Arley Hall were the site of one of the first herbaceous borders planted in England (by Rowland Egerton-Warburton once again). The current gardens extend to 12 acres ringed by hedges and brick walls. The Tea Garden cottage boasts a fine collection of shrub roses, while two walled gardens provide space for open lawns, herbaceous borders, fruit trees, and kitchen produce. An avenue of pleached limes leads to the house, and nearby ilex trees are clipped into tall cylinder shapes. Woodland walks garden and a rock garden add interest to this award-winning horticultural experience.
Northwich,
Cheshire,
England,
CW9 6NA
The fine Grade 1 gardens of Athelhampton House date from 1891 and contain 12 world-famous 30-foot topiary pyramids as well as collections of roses, lilies, tulips, magnolias and clematis.
Athelhampton,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
England,
DT2 7LG
'Capability' Brown was responsible for laying out the landscaped grounds of Audley End in the 18th century; restoration work has revived the park and its lovely gardens, which include a 19th century parterre and rose garden. An artificial lake has been formed from the River Cam, which runs through the park. Interesting array of original garden buildings including 170-ft vine house.
Audley End,
Saffron Walden,
Essex,
England,
CB11 4JF
Edwardian garden graces this Tudor manor house. Medieval walls recall the older origins of the property; well-kept topiary, ancient box, and pleasant flower gardens.
Marlborough,
Wiltshire,
England,
SN8 1RF
At Baddesley Clinton you will find stewponds, a small lake, and walled and kitchen gardens, as well as a lakeside walk and nature meadow.
Rising Lane,
Knowle Baddesley Clinton,
Solihull,
Warwickshire,
England,
B93 0DQ
A listed family home filled with heritage and craft objects. Located on 43 acres of parkland; visitors can walk the dogs, play a game of golf or just relax in the beautiful setting of the Park’s formal gardens. Inside the house, visitors are invited to use hands-on activities to unlock the secrets of Wolverhampton’s industrial past. Entry to the House and Park is free and both are fully accessible. Free parking.
Finchfield Road,
Wolverhampton,
West Midlands,
England,
WV3 9LQ
One of Rutland's most popular visitor attractions is this delightful commercial garden created in co-operation with the editors of Gardener's World magazine. Barnsdale is the brainchild of gardening writer and TV presenter Geoff Hamilton, known to millions of viewers for his role in the Gardener's World television series. The current Barnsdale was born in 1985, in the grounds of an old Victorian farmhouse.
The Avenue,
Exton Oakham,
Rutland,
England,
LE15 8AH
A lovely Arts and Crafts style garden by Rosemary Verey, surrounds a 17th century manor house. Note: Barnsley House is now operating as a private luxury hotel and restaurant. Garden visits can be arranged by prior contact.
Barnsley,
Cirencester,
Cotswolds,
Gloucestershire,
England,
GL7 5EE
Gertrude Jekyll's influence is seen in this formal garden laid out in a series of "rooms" around a lovely Tudor manor house.
Barrington,
Ilminster,
Somerset,
England,
TA19 0NQ
There are small pleasure gardens gracing this Palladian mansion, but be sure to leave time in your visit to stroll some of the woodland paths through these 400 acres of grounds.
Lower Basildon,
Reading,
Berkshire,
England,
RG8 9NR
Rose, Mulberry, Herb and Wild Gardens surround this Jacobean manor house. The house is on the River Dudwell, which flows through the wild garden, where there is a working historic corn mill.
Burwash,
Etchingham,
East Sussex,
England,
TN19 7DS
The largest and most extensive private collection of trees and shrubs in Britain. The arboretum shares space in Batsford Park with the Cotswold Falconry Centre.
Batsford Park,
Moreton in Marsh,
Cotswolds,
Gloucestershire,
England,
GL56 9QB
One of the most extensive and varied collections of conifers in the world grace Bedgebury Pinetum. Much attention has been paid to creating gardens with colour and varieties of plants to provide interest at every season of the year.
Park Lane,
Goudhurst,
Cranbrook,
Kent,
England,
TN17 2SL
Suitably formal gardens complement the 17th century house, with an Orangery, Italian fountains, and a lovely landscaped park to stroll through. There's a very large children's woodland adventure playgournd, too.
Grantham,
Lincolnshire,
England,
NG32 2LS
Formal Rose and Statue gardens lie close to the Belvoir Castle. Further from the castle lie the Duchess's Spring gardens, begun in 1800. The gardens lie in a dell, or amphitheatre, with natural woodland springs providing year round garden colour.
Grantham,
Leicestershire,
England,
NG32 1PD
Benington Lordship Gardens is a 7 acre garden surrounding a lovely Georgian manor house. Beside the manor are the ruins of a Norman castle keep, surrounded by a moat.
Stevenage,
Hertfordshire,
England,
SG2 7BS
The gardens were founded in 1959 in a former clay pit used by a brickworks. Here Norman Bennett carefully planted a collection of water lilies that has become one of the finest in the world. The site stretches to 8 acres of landscaped paths skirting peaceful lakes. Over 100 varieties of lilies are on display, and are at their best in the summer months. In addition to lilies there are a wide variety of pond and moisture loving plants on display and the garden is a haven for pond life.
Putton Lane,
Chickerell,
Weymouth,
Dorset,
England,
DT3 4AF
The last major garden designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the most popular English landscape gardener. Superb parkland surrounds a neo-classical mansion. A walled garden contains rare species of old fruit trees.
Leominster,
Herefordshire,
England,
HR6 0DW
Landscape park and historic gardens inspired by Versailles. There is something for eveyone here, including a woodland railway, palm house, a countryside museum of rural life, American gardens, stream garden, pinetum, arboretum, rose garden, Mediterranean gatrden, and the Italian gardens purportedly designed by Andre Le Notre, designer of the famous gardens at Versailles.
East Budleigh,
Budleigh Salterton,
Devon,
England,
EX9 7JT
A series of small gardens linked by tunnels, banks, and walls. Chinese garden, Egyptian garden, lily pool, and a sunken dahlia walk.
Biddulph,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire,
England,
ST8 7SD
The park around the opulent palace home of the Dukes of Marlborough was laid out by Capability Brown. Formal gardens in French and Italian terraced style, arboretum, rose garden. Unless you have a particular liking for formal gardens, spend your time exploring the park. Or, attend one of the events held in the grounds annually, from jousting to horse trials to crafts fairs.
Woodstock,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX20 1PX
Gardens blending features of 17th-20th century. Yew hedges, parterre and topiary, large herbaceous beds, pools and fountains, secret garden. Landscaped parkland with walks past classical temples (and a not-so-classical pyramid!). Best in: spring and summer.
Blickling,
Norwich,
Norfolk,
England,
NR11 6NF
17th century deer park with 100 head of deer, in a larger estate with parkland and formal gardens surrounding an 18th century mansion.
Boconnoc,
Lostwithiel,
Cornwall,
England,
PL22 0RG
Borde Hill bills itself as an informal country garden. The garden covers over 200 acres, with woodland and parkland areas as well as 17 acres of formal garden areas arranged as a series of distinct garden rooms, each with a different theme. There are enjoyable lakeside and woodland walks.
Balcombe Road,
Hayward's Heath,
West Sussex,
England,
RH16 1XP
A variety of garden areas surround a Georgian house on the outskirts of Truro. A walled garden, Victorian conservatory, topiary, a woodland walk, and several themed colour gardens add interest throughout the growing season. The Hot Garden is themed to provide red blossoming plants for a burst of sultry colour in August, while the Pink and Grey garden provides a more soothing environment to relax in.
Bosvigo Lane,
Truro,
Cornwall,
England,
TR1 3NH
A delightful Cotswold garden covering 3 acres. The setting is lovely, and includes a 16th century tithe barn that can be visited. HHA/Christie's Garden of the Year 2006.
Bourton-on-the-Hill,
Moreton in Marsh,
Cotswolds,
Gloucestershire,
England,
GL56 9AE
The 2000-acre estate surrounding the Georgian Bowood house was gloriously landscaped by 'Capability' Brown between 1762-68. Formal gardens, pinetum and arboretum, and 2 miles of a separate Rhododendron Walk open for six weeks in May and June.
Derry Hill,
Calne,
Wiltshire,
England,
SN11 0LZ
Open woodland and chalk downland with a network of walking trails providing excellent views of the South Downs. Wild orchids in summer, and lovely autumn colour. There is an information centre and late Victorian fort at the summit of the hill.
The Old Fort,
Box Hill Road Box Hill,
Tadworth,
Surrey,
England,
KT20 7LB
The house is surrounded by 64 acres of lovely parks and gardens, including nature trails and woodland walks.
Bramhall Park,
Hall Road Bramhall,
Stockport,
Cheshire,
England,
SK7 3NX
Brockhole is an ornamental terraced garden nestled at the foot of the Langdale Pikes. A wildflower meadow and woodland belie the carefully planted schemes of roses, borders, shrubbery, and rock plants. Good planning means there is always something in bloom. Brockhole was planted in the early 20th century by Thomas Mawson, and it is listed by English Heritage as being of special historic importance. The garden is owned by the Lake District National Park, and it sits beside the park visitor centre just outside Windermere.
Windermere,
Cumbria,
England,
LA23 1LJ
A lovely hillside garden surrounding a 17th century cottage. Here you will find a scree garden, herbaceous borders arranged with colour themes, a water garden, and flowering shrubs and trees.
Well Lane,
Alkerton,
Banbury,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX15 6NL
Walled Ladies Garden sits against the south wall of the castle, a central formal Fleur de Lys design softened by thoughtfully planted mixed and shrub borders both inside and outside the walls. Lawns slope down to the moat (you'll want to go straight back home and design your own moat at the bottom of the garden!)
Broughton,
Banbury,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX15 5EB
Three acre Edwardian garden (house not open). Yew and box topiary, parterres, herb garden, kitchen garden, flower and shrub borders, rose garden, heritage apple trees, Edwardian greenhouse, views.
Stapleton,
Presteigne,
Herefordshire,
England,
LD8 2LP
300-acre 'Capability' Brown deerpark divided by avenues of mature trees, and set off by a lake. The specimen trees and shrubs of the Sculpture garden create the perfect setting for contemporary sculptures. In April the private gardens are open to the public for the glorious display of flowering bulbs.
Stamford,
Lincolnshire,
England,
PE9 3JY
This wonderful garden is the creation of Major Percy Marlborough Stewart, a second cousin of Sir Winston Churchill. Stewart bought the Burnby Hall estate on the edge of Pocklington in 1904, and for the next 58 years he devoted his energies to creating a fabulous garden of exceptional beauty, based around two lakes which feature the national collection of hardy water lilies. This is one of the largest collections in Europe where the lilies can be seen in a natural habitat.
The Balk,
Pocklington,
Yorkshire,
England,
YO42 2QF
Proud winners of a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower show, Burncoose provides a 30 acre woodland garden for visitors to enjoy, with an award-winning nursery attached. The garden is at its best in late winter and early spring, when daffodils, bluebells, primroses, snowdrops, and other early flowering plants provide a welcome carpet of colour.
Gwennap,
Redruth,
Cornwall,
England,
TR16 6BJ
A "giant gameboard" motif is the theme for a number of the gardens of Burton Agnes Hall; you will also find a jungle garden with broad-leaved plants, fruit and potager areas, a maze, and colour-themed gardens. National collection of campanulas.
Burton Agnes,
Driffield,
Yorkshire,
England,
YO25 0ND
There are several disctinct gardens at Buscot. The most prominent is the 20th century water gardens, one of the finest in England, laid out on a sloping lawn below the 18th century stately home. There is also an extensive landscape garden, formal Italianate gardens, and walled gardens. A real delight.
Faringdon,
Oxfordshire,
England,
SN7 8BU
Hudsons Historic
Houses and Gardens - HUDSONS is the definitive annual guide to heritage
property in Britain. As the British Tourist Authority called Hudson's the "bible"
of the stately house visitor to Britain. The website provides a gateway to these
properties and also indicates which are available not just for visiting but also
for special events, weddings,and accommodation. It incorporates all categories
of ownership be it National Trust, private or public.
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