Spring is a time for flowers and colour, and we know how much Brits love their gardens. But if the weather in your part of the country hasn’t been cooperating, if you just don’t have much of a green thumb, or if you want some true landscaping inspiration, we’ve got some spring days out for you.
TGA Mobility Scooters recently compiled a list of the most popular gardens in the UK, based on Google searches and Instagram posts (which means you know they are pretty). While I sometimes take these sort of lists with a grain of salt, I’ve got to admit they’ve got a very visit-worthy selection. So you might want to add one or more of these to your plans for a weekend getaway this spring.
Hever Castle, Kent
Top of the list is a personal favourite. I have visited Hever Castle many times over the years and consider it possibly the most picturesque castle in Kent, which is saying a lot given the competition of Leeds Castle and the beautiful gardens of Sissinghurst. You probably know it as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, but it later became the property of another of Henry VIII’s wives. Anne of Cleves took ownership as part of her lucrative divorce settlement. However, it remains noted for its Boleyn connections and the castle grounds conjure up many a romantic image of Henry wooing his future wife. The gardens are absolutely gorgeous covering 125 acres. The Italian Garden will transport you overseas with its classical statues, while the Loggia offers views of the entire property. Enjoy one of the many walks, including Church Gill Walk along the stream, or Chestnut Avenue, planted in the early 20th century. Whether you prefer vast meadows of flowers or intimate grottos, the grounds of Hever Castle have it all. And of course, one of the highlights is the English Garden, with more than 5,000 rose bushes and a topiary chess set. The castle gardens are worth exploring at any time of year, but spring is when you truly get to enjoy its full splendour.
RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
Photographs and gardeners alike flock to Wisley year-round to take in its cherry blossoms, orchids, tulips, and more. It is one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s collection of the garden and was first established as an experimental garden by George Fergusson Wilson in 1878. When he died in 1902, the property was bought by Sir Thomas Hanbury, who had created the famous La Mortola gardens in Italy. The following year, Hanbury gifted it to the RHS. Then and today, the gardens have served as ornamental, but also as a site for horticultural education and research. Visitors can explore and learn about all aspects of gardening from bonsai to roses, alpine meadows to walled gardens. Wisley also has its own downloadable app with suggested routes and information about what you will encounter along the way. Entry is free for RHS members. Non-members can save on admission by pre-booking tickets online.
Castle Howard, York
Perhaps, like me, you haven’t visited Castle Howard for years. Perhaps you’ve never been. Yet, it still seems somehow familiar. That’s not surprising since the sprawling 9,000 acre estate has been featured in a number of films and television programs, including Bridgerton, Victoria, and even Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties. But perhaps it is most recognizable from Brideshead Revisited. Indeed, it became considered such an integral part of the 1981 series, that it was used again in the 2008 remake. The house is considered a masterpiece of baroque architecture, but the gardens are also a showpiece, hence their ranking at number three on this list. Temples, follies, and water features are dotted around the expansive grounds while footpaths wind their way through woodland and alongside lakes. The Walled Garden is the only part of the grounds that is not open year-round; closed during the winter months for maintenance, it reopens every spring to show off an abundance of roses, vegetables, and ornate trellises. And on your way out, stop at the Castle Howard Garden Centre where you can take home some inspiration for your own garden.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
Does anything sound more magical than a place called the Lost Gardens of Heligan? The very name conjures up a mythical world, which is exactly what parts of this Cornish attraction feel like. The gardens were indeed lost to time and nature, until a massive restoration project in the 1990s brought them back to life. The Tremayne family once lived on the Heligan estate and designed the wonderful gardens. But by the outbreak of World War One, the estate was starting to decline. War carried off many of the groundskeepers and staff, and 16 of the property’s 22 gardeners were killed in action. With no-one to maintain the grounds, they were left to neglect, overgrowth, and the ravages of time. By the 1920s, the Tremaynes spent most of their time overseas, and Heligan was rented out, to the US Army, and later as flats. In the 1990s, ownership passed on to distant relatives who decided to undertake a massive restoration project. Now, there are the Productive Gardens, where more than 300 species of fruits and vegetables are grown; the Pleasure Grounds, with intricate walkways amid giant rhododendrons; and woodlands. And let’s not forget the fascinating sculptures you will come across.
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Rounding out the top five is the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, founded in 1670. To the locals, it is fondly known as “The Botanics”. To horticulturalists around the world, it is highly regarded for its long history and its large collection of plants. Browse the Rock Garden, the Arboretum, the Rhododendron Collection, Alpine Houses, and more. Meanwhile, the Scottish Native Plants Collection in the Heath Garden pays tribute to the local flora. Whatever time of year you visit, there is much to see. Highlights in spring are the rhododendrons, the hellebores, and the Japanese magnolia. See Himalayan blue poppies in the summer, fruit trees laden with vibrant fruits in the autumn, or the stunning red berries, white snowdrops, and evergreens of winter.
More Gardens to Consider
If you need further inspiration, other gardens featured on the list are marked on the map below. And remember, these are just a handful of the many gardens and parks around the UK that are just calling for you to visit this spring!
