Top 10 Must-See English Gardens for Garden Lovers

For many keen gardeners, a visit to an English garden is one of the highlights of any trip to the UK. There are loads of beautiful gardens to explore in England, offering something splendid to see at any time of year. The following ten gardens could inspire you to get creative with your own garden.

Hidcote Manor

Hidcote Manor is an Arts & Crafts masterpiece hidden down a series of twisting country lanes in the Cotswolds. Designed by Maj. Lawrence Johnston, a wealthy American who became a naturalised British citizen, the garden is filled with rare and exotic plants collected from around the world during his extensive plant-hunting expeditions.

RHS Garden Wisley

The Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden is where British gardeners seek inspiration. Its world-famous collection of plants has been growing for over a century, ensuring there’s always something new for nature enthusiasts to discover.

Spanning 240 acres in Woking, Surrey, just an hour’s drive from Central London, Wisley is open every day, showcasing practical garden design ideas and cultivation techniques. Anyone interested in the latest advancements in gardening should certainly visit.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Sissinghurst Castle Garden is the most visited garden in England and a symbol of romance. Created by the writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Sir Harold Nicolson, it features distinct garden “rooms” that provide unique experiences throughout the year. The White Garden, in particular, is renowned and should be explored in the quieter afternoon hours.

Each garden room is styled and planted distinctively, exuding a sense of abundance and romance. Rare plants coexist with traditional English cottage garden flowers, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors seeking sensory delights.

Stowe Landscape Gardens

Stowe Landscape Gardens covers an impressive 750 acres and is significant due to its 40 listed historic monuments and temples. This garden represents a pinnacle of English landscape architecture from the 18th century, with contributions from noted designers like Charles Bridgeman, John Vanbrugh, William Kent, and James Gibbs. Notably, Lancelot “Capability” Brown served as head gardener between 1741 and 1751.

Stowe is uniquely designed to reflect its owner’s political philosophies and beliefs, emphasizing broad lawns, trees, and serene water stretches. The garden paths lead visitors toward themes like Vice, Virtue, and Liberty, each depicting deep meanings through carefully placed statues and architectural elements.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is one of North Yorkshire’s most rewarding attractions. The Abbey is Britain’s largest monastic ruin and served as Yorkshire’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. The adjacent water garden, crafted by John Aislabie, showcases his artistic vision following his expulsion from Parliament.

Nymans Garden

Nymans Garden in West Sussex is celebrated for its rare plants and unique design elements. Established and maintained by three generations of the Messel family, including renowned theatrical designer Oliver Messel, the garden showcases a colorful tapestry of horticultural creativity.

Trelissick Garden, Cornwall

This unusual National Trust-managed garden in Feock, Cornwall, is known for its tender subtropical plants thriving among towering cedars and immaculate lawns. Located at the Fal Estuary’s head, Trelissick boasts breathtaking views of Falmouth Harbour and the Carrick Road.

After visiting the garden, take time to appreciate the work of artists and craftspeople at Trelissick’s galleries or join a guided tour of the Copeland China Collection associated with Spode China.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage is an exemplary English cottage garden, bursting with vibrant flowers and shrubs. Located in Shottery, a mile from Stratford-upon-Avon, this garden gained renewed interest during the 2016 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.

In addition to its colorful flowers and living willow sculptures, the garden features conservation borders to attract butterflies and a collection of trees mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. Recently, Miss Wilmott’s Garden, named after a 19th-century designer, was added to enhance its allure.

The Eden Project

The Eden Project is a remarkable creation that transformed old china clay pits into a botanical paradise. Comprising two huge biomes, the project illustrates diverse ecosystems. The rainforest biome, reaching about 165 feet high, contains tropical plants, while the Mediterranean biome showcases flora from various temperate regions, including citrus groves and vineyards.

Outside the biomes, an array of exciting plants and activities awaits families and garden enthusiasts alike.

Alnwick Garden

Alnwick Garden, located near Alnwick Castle, represents rapid and innovative garden design. Established in the 1990s by the current Duchess of Northumberland, the garden includes fountains, open woodlands, an established rose garden, and a unique poison garden showcasing some of the world’s deadliest plants.

This engaging garden, founded in partnership with the Duke and Duchess, encourages exploration and provides family-friendly activities.

And what about Allotments?

The English have long cherished gardening across all societal levels. Allotments play a vital role, allowing ordinary working individuals in England’s cities and towns to cultivate their own small patches of greenery.