Top 10 Gardens to Visit This Year
With the warmer weather of summer on the way, there’s never been a better time to enjoy all the incredible gardens the UK has to offer.
If you don’t have a garden of your own or are simply looking to explore more gardens for inspiration, why not take a trip to one of the many gardens open to the public this summer? Here are some of the best public gardens you should be visiting:
RHS Gardens
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens
The Royal Horticultural Society manages five gardens across England, each renowned for their diverse plant collections and captivating landscapes
They are located in Surrey, Devon, Essex, North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. They boast an incredible collection of exotic plants and glasshouses that you can explore. They also host workshops & educational talks on all things gardening & nature.
National Trust Gardens
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/gardens-parks
The National Trust cares for many of the historic properties and gardens throughout the UK.
There are too many beautiful locations to include in one list, so we’ve picked out a few notable favourites.
Powis Castle Garden in Wales, Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent and Stourhead in Wiltshire are all incredible, nature-filled days out and are not to be missed.
Bodnant Garden
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/bodnant-garden
Located near Conwy, this 80-acre area is described as a ‘collection of gardens rolled into one’. Explore a variety of plant styles, peaceful woodlands and the iconic Laburnum Arch.
Boasting 5 national collections, Bodnant Garden showcases the beauty of magnolias, embothriums, eucryphias, and the rare Rhododendron forrestii.
Wander through wildflower meadows, embark on scenic valley walks and be captivated by stunning water features.
Great Dixter
https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/visit/garden/
Once the home of renowned English gardener Christopher Lloyd, Great Dixter remains a testament to his lifelong passion for cultivating a unique and diverse landscape
The garden is constantly being worked on and maintained long after Christopher’s passing and the centrepiece of the garden is the iconic "Long Border"- a multi-layered border of plants that constantly evolves throughout the seasons.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
If you’re wanting a garden visit that’s steeped in history, then The Lost Gardens of Heligan are for you. Originally developed in the 18th-20th century, they became overgrown & abandoned during World War 1 but were rediscovered in 1990.
Since then, they’ve become an incredible tourist attraction, boasting over 200 acres of different tropical, Italian and Victorian garden styles. Exploring the grounds allows you to step back in time & reconnect with nature all in one visit.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
www.kew.org
Not only are the Royal Botanic Gardens one of London's most popular tourist attractions, but they're also a world-renowned leader in botanical research and education.
It’s one of the largest and most diverse botanical gardens in the world, hosting over 30,000 plant species. With giant palm houses and Japanese gardens, you can discover a wealth of plant life from across the globe.
Attadale Gardens
One of the best botanical gardens the Scottish highlands has to offer- originally established in the Victorian era, the Attadale Gardens features a stunning sunken garden complete with giant sundial, water gardens and a rhododendron walk that is spectacular in the summertime.
Verulamium Park
https://www.enjoystalbans.com/listing/verulamium-park/
Located in St Albans, Verulamium Park is an award-winning garden that stands on the site of the ancient roman British settlement, Verulamium. You can explore remnants of the Roman city wall that snake through the park.
If you’re looking for an area of great historical interest, stunning natural views and a boating lake, then Verulamium Park is the one for you.
The Bressingham Gardens
This family run garden in Norfolk has six different gardens spanning over 17 acres.
This idyllic spot is even available as a wedding venue for those looking to tie the knot.
They also have a steam train museum & a miniature railway.
Hestercombe gardens
An independent charitable trust, Hestercombe Gardens offers fantastic Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian Garden exhibitions for the whole family to enjoy. Hestercombe is dog friendly and offers a contemporary art gallery, cafe, and a chance to explore the historic Hestercombe House. Based in Taunton, Somerset.
