Britain’s greatest & greenest gardens
Enjoy rare and exotic flora, colourful country houses, space age surroundings and plenty of tranquil oases in some of the UK’s most gorgeous locations.
Kew Gardens (London, England)
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, are located in the Richmond, London. Explore over 121 hectares of gorgeousness, with open spaces and greenhouses housing the largest collections in the world.
Some of Kew Gardens’ main attractions include Alpine House, featuring a striking apex roof; Chokushi-Mon which was designed to look like a traditional Japanese Garden Pagoda, as well as Kew Palace.
Inverewe Gardens (Inverewe, Scotland)
Owned by the Scottish National Trust and overlooking Loch Ewe this stunning botanical garden is one of the most popular attractions in the Scottish Highlands.
The distinctive scenery of Wester Ross is some of Scotland’s most stunning countryside and coast with wonderful wild scenery. This coastline is home to some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the country, with stunning white sand and crystal blue waters.
The Dingle Garden (Welshpool, Wales)
The small and secluded Royal Horticultural Society’s Dingle Garden is a serene idyll in the middle of Wales. Four and half acres of lawns and lakeside gardens offer beautiful and unique trees and plant life.
The Dingle is particularly acclaimed for its colour-themed planting which comes into its own in the autumn. Leaves explode into a rich riot of burnt reds, yellows, oranges and gold. With woodland leading to a tranquil lake, it offers a fantastic fairy-tale setting!
The Eden Project (Cornwall, England)
An ideal option for rainy British days, the Eden Project gives you the chance to stay dry whilst exploring the exhibitions as well as get a taste of both tropical and Mediterranean environments.
Some of the must-see attractions include the Biomes, The Core and The Seed. You can also find out about the charitable and environmental projects, and there are plenty of seasonal activities for children too.
Abbey Garden (Tresco Island, Isles of Scilly)
Abbey Garden is home to thousands of exotic plants from more than 80 countries. It’s a sub-tropical paradise which survives despite its far-westerly position, 30 miles off the tip of the Cornish coastline.
Stroll through monastic arches dwarfed by huge palm trees, and marvel at the array of superb succulents and the sea of bright blues, pinks and flame reds. Walled shelters and a warm, south facing slope provide the perfect conditions for plants usually found in the southern hemisphere to thrive.
Hampton Court Palace Gardens (Greater London)
For centuries this garden had been the exclusive retreat of monarchs, including Henry VIII, who took many a wife for a secluded stroll here.
The yew tree maze is an exciting place to lose an hour and The Great Vine – the longest grapevine in the world – is a testament to Capability Brown, who planted it in 1769. It still bears fruit and the sweet black grapes are sold in palace shops in early September.
Bodnant Garden (Conwy, Wales)
Bodnant Garden is known worldwide for its botanical collection, and has stunning and spectacular views of Snowdonia at any time of the year. Five generations of the same family have created more than 80 acres of fabulous gardens and the amazing collection of plants has been grown from either cuttings or seeds gathered on Victorian plant-hunting exhibitions.
One of the most impressive sights is the wonderful yellow scented laburnum arch, at its best in late spring and early summer. Italian-style terraces hold formal gardens, roses and invite visitors to enjoy the dramatic vista of the Carneddau mountains. You can even tie the knot here. A more romantic setting is hard to imagine!
Mottisfont Abbey (Hampshire)
Mottisfont, near Romsey in Hampshire is a must-see in early to mid June. Here, the absolute highlight is an internationally-renowned walled rose garden boasting more than 500 varieties.
It is believed that the ancient Mottisfont plane tree is the largest in the country, its branches spreading over more than 1,500 sq metres. The gardens also stretch right down to the River Test, a fantastic chalk stream which due to careful National Trust management and regeneration is now home to otters, water voles, the striking blue kingfisher and more.
Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden (St Ives, Cornwall)
Sitting beside the Barbara Hepworth Museum on a hillside above St Ives harbour is a beautiful and unusual garden filled with her sensational sculptures. Barbara relished the opportunity to work on her pieces in the great outdoors here from 1949 until her death in 1975.
Her huge, bold works can today be viewed, in the most part, exactly where she placed them in a garden she laid out herself. Her sculptures are enclosed by the lush foliage and trees surrounding them and the trademark circular holes in smooth, curved bronze act like windows onto nature.
Trebah Gardens (Helford, Cornwall)
Open all year and extending across 26 acres with 4 miles of footpaths traversing themed gardens, Trebah has a special quality throughout the seasons. Leafy palms, camellias and magnolias await inquisitive guests.
With vibrant Falmouth just a short distance to the north, and the Lizard peninsula within easy striking distance to the south, Trebah sits proudly in a treasured corner of Cornwall.
The Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh)
A centre of internationally important research and conservation, the garden is home to thousands of alpine flowers and a huge collection of Chinese plants. It also boasts massive American redwoods and the Scottish Heath Garden, which has created a haven for wildlife within the city.
If the Scottish weather is against you, then there are many magnificent tropical glasshouses to take refuge in. They house palms, ferns, incredible orchids and exotic rain forest foliage and visitors to The Windows on the World experience can explore ten different climatic zones.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales (Carmarthen, Wales)
Located near Llanarthney, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is one of the most popular attractions in the area, and within easy distance of popular holiday destinations such as Tenby and Saundersfoot.
Whilst the gardens only opened in 2000, their history dates back to the 17th century and the Middleton family of Oswestry who resided there. Explore the gardens or enjoy attractions such as the meerkats, the Gallery, the Ghost Forest and many others – it’s a fantastic day out for all of the family.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden (Kent)
Nestled in the Weald of Kent, the world-famous garden at Sissinghurst is the ideal English garden. It was created in the 1930s by poet and writer Vita Sackville-West and her author husband Harold Nicholson and their original vision is now being carefully recreated.
Today wild flowers are being reintroduced, there’s a fragrant herb garden, rose garden, orchard and a nuttery, dedicated to Kentish cobnuts (a variety of hazelnut). A climb to the top of the Elizabethan tower affords a panoramic view of the large estate and the rolling Kent countryside beyond.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan (Cornwall, England)
Built in the 18th century through to the 20th century by the Tremayne family, the Lost Gardens are a larger part of the family’s estate. Whilst the gardens were neglected following the First World War, they underwent restoration in the 1990s and now feature plants from all over the world.
Some of the most popular attractions within the gardens include The Jungle, a working pineapple pit (the only one in Europe!), the mysterious ‘Mud Maid’ and the ‘Giant’s Head’.
Powis Castle (Welshpool, Wales)
Created in the Baroque style of classical Italian gardens with more than a touch of French spirit, the grand terraces at Powis castle (originally built in the 1680s) are an evocative throwback to continental gardens of the 16th Century.
The surrounding woodland offers a number of different walks whilst the castle itself offers a brilliant trail designed for children. Kids of all ages will be left captivated exploring the medieval fortress surroundings.
Chatsworth House Gardens (Chatsworth, Derbyshire)
This magnificent estate is home to the Duke of Derbyshire and set in the heart of the Peak District, within easy reach of Bakewell, Tideswell and the historic Eyam.
The style and elegance of the house is mirrored in the 105 acres of gardens that offer a variety of interesting sculptures, fountains and an English garden maze. Perhaps the most striking feature of this impressive stately garden is the cascading trough waterfall situated to the western edge of the house.
