Gorgeous gardens
England’s world beating parks and gardens are like little visions of paradise. Places where man and nature come together to enjoy and breathe life into beauty-inspired creations. Scroll down to discover gardens around the English regions. If there's somewhere we've missed or you'd like to share your experiences of England's gardens visit our forum (/forum/) and discuss with other visitors.
East Midlands
Stride out along the longest avenue of lime trees in Europe, at Clumber Park, then see if you can find a Roman Temple, a Greek Temple and a Gothic cathedral in miniature, each hidden away in 4,000 acres of gardens. Bask in the unusual microclimate of Teversal Manor (www.teversalmanor.com/), with its ornamental pond garden and vegetable maze. Learn how an industrial landscape can be transformed into a miniature Eden, at Lea Gardens (www.leagarden.co.uk/), a beautiful place inspired by local industrialist John Marsden-Smedley. Cast your eyes across the great lawn of Risley Halls, a vast sweep of perfectly manicured grass punctuated by spectacular golden yews. For a more hands-on horticultural experience, enrol in the Garden School at 17th-century Coton Manor (www.cotonmanor.co.uk/).
More on gardens around the East Midlands
East of England
This region is home many historic gardens, which often surround some of Britain’s most magnificent stately homes, including the Queen’s famous country retreat at Sandringham (www.sandringham-estate.co.uk/Index.asp?p=1). Don’t miss the exquisitely restored 17th century gardens at Hatfield House (www.hatfield-house.co.uk/pages.asp?p=1&h=1&n=1), where Queen Elizabeth I lived as a girl. Rose lovers will enjoy Mannington Hall (www.norfolkcoast.co.uk/articles/mannington.htm), with its thousands of classic varieties, whilst Wrest Park (www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.51) (Silsoe) has a formal 18th century layout of wooded walks and canals. Blickling Hall (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-blicklinghallgardenandpark.htm) has bluebells in spring, huge herbaceous borders in summer, then magnificent Autumn colours, whilst Audley End (www.english-heritage.org.uk/server.php?show=ConProperty.1) is landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, and noted for its organic kitchen garden.
On the specialist gardens trail you’ll find dazzling plant displays and a myriad of garden features such as museums and mazes, follies and fantasies. From Beth Chatto’s famous garden (www.bethchatto.co.uk/) (nr. Colchester), a triumph of personal endeavour, to the purple haze of the lavender fields at Norfolk Lavender with its national collection of these lovely aromatic plants. True plant enthusiasts should start at Cambridge University Botanic Garden (www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/), home to magnificent specimen trees and several national collections. Great gardeners emerge in every era, such as Alan Bloom who pioneered his island beds for hardy perennials at Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens (www.bressingham.co.uk/). Whilst here, don’t miss the Foggy Bottom garden too. Head south to enjoy the various gardens at RHS Hyde Hall (www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/gardens/hydehall/index.asp) (nr. Chelmsford), which was created from a windswept hill, with herbaceous borders and a rose rope walk.
Many gardens, like the Fairhaven Woodland Water Garden (www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/) (South Walsham), are carefully managed to preserve the many different birds and animals that make their homes there. Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum (www.markshall.org.uk/arboretum_and_lakeside_gardens) (nr. Coggeshall) has over 100 acres of specimen trees. See a double rowed avenue of Sequoias planted in the 19th century at Lynford Arboreum in the Thetford Forest Park (www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandEastAngliaForestsofEastAngliaThetfordForestPark). Close by; explore the water gardens at Gooderstone, where no fewer than 13 bridges span ponds, waterways and a natural trout stream. Finally head north to Sheringham Park (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-sheringhampark/), laid out by the 18th century landscape gardener Humphry Repton. It offers fantastic coastal vistas, alongside breathtaking displays of rhododendrons and azaleas.
A comprehensive free guide to gardens is available from the East of England Tourist Board on (0)870 225 4800.
London
Gifted to the people by monarchs for centuries, London's parks offer the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Go rollerblading, rowing, wildlife watching and horse riding. Or just enjoy a meal out - or the kids' playgrounds. It's all on offer in Hyde Park (www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/hyde_park/), bought by Henry VIII in 1536 from Westminster Abbey's monks. Greenwich Park also has a big Henry VIII connection. His former hunting grounds offer great City and docklands views.
Back in the heart of town, St. James's Park (www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/st_james_park/) was a favourite of Charles II. The oldest Royal Park in London saw many a pageant in Elizabeth 1's reign. Nearby Green Park offers a wonderful walk from Buckingham Palace (www.royal.gov.uk/output/page555.asp) across to Piccadilly. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk links several parks. This takes in many of the places associated with her lifetime including Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace. A glimpse of Peter Pan's statue in Kensington Gardens (www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/) is a must for young and old alike.
The world-famous trapezoidal maze at Hampton Court Palace is the oldest surviving hedge maze still in use. A new audio installation for the maze has recently been completed, entitled Trace. Drawing on the idea of the historic maze as a place of furtive conversation and flirtation, visitors are enticed along the green corridors, tempted by tantalising sounds – a fragment of music, a snatch of laughter, the rustle of fine silks and the whispers of an illicit conversation – that disappear around the winding paths.
North East England
Capability Brown was born in Northumberland in 1716. Almost three hundred years later, just a few miles away, the Duchess of Northumberland has created one of the 21st century’s most spectacular gardens. Clearly, there is something in the air here that encourages a passion for garden design. More often than not the gardens provide the perfect backdrop for some grand country houses.
Capability Brown influenced the ‘forest garden’ at Gibside – the former home of the late Queen Mother’s family – and the 18th century landscape gardens at Wallington. Wallington also includes a walled garden and laburnum walk. The Alnwick Garden (www.alnwickgarden.com/), with its Grand Cascade water feature, which adjoins the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland’s home at Alnwick Castle, is constantly evolving.
Lord Armstrong created one of the largest rock gardens in Europe at his Victorian country house, Cragside (the gardens remain open while the house is restored during 2006). The magnificent Grade 1 listed garden at Belsay Hall is a plantsman’s delight with a dramatic quarry garden, magnificent magnolias, long-flowering rhododendrons and rare ferns and fritillaries. At the other end of the scale, Bide-a-Wee Cottage Gardens and Nursery (www.bideawee.co.uk/) are the archetypal country cottage gardens created out of an abandoned sandstone quarry. Slip across to Holy Island (www.lindisfarne.org.uk/) to see Gertrude Jekyll’s tiny walled garden in the lea of Lindisfarne Castle.
South East England
In the South East you’ll find some of the most beautiful gardens and parks! The Romans were the first to introduce gardening to this country and at Fishbourne Roman Palace, near Chichester; you can see how a typical Roman garden would have looked.
Kent has been known as the Garden of England since the days of Henry VIII. England’s first fruit trees were planted here and thrived in the fertile soil and gentle climate. The county is also famous for hops, used in the brewing of beer. Also in Kent is Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a National Trust property. The garden was created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicolson, both important figures in the world of garden design.
‘Capability’ Brown is one of the best-known figures in English gardening. He played a large part in the creation of the gardens of magnificent stately homes such as Petworth Park, Sheffield Park and also at Blenheim Palace (www.blenheimpalace.com/) in Oxfordshire. The work of Gertrude Jekyll, another well known horticulturist, can be seen at Parham Park (www.parhaminsussex.co.uk/) in Sussex and at Hatchlands Park in Surrey. For a wonderful day out, visit Exbury Gardens in Hampshire. There’s something to see every season of the year. Autumn is special but it’s in spring that most people visit to see the collections and displays of rhododendrons and azaleas. The colours are so varied and vivid; it’s hard to believe they are real.
More on gardens in the South East
South West
Throughout the year, South West England is a magnet for gardening enthusiasts from around the world. From the first snowdrops that carpet gardens and wild woodlands, to the golden autumn splendour that lights up the landscape in a spectacular free show for all. Combined, they make South West England a living encyclopedia of gardens and forests: The awsome Eden (www.edenproject.com/); the magically reclaimed Lost Gardens of Heligan (www.heligan.com/flash_intro.html); the Palladian grandeur at the National Trust’s Stourhead; Westonbirt Arboretum (www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt); and the Royal Horticultural gems of Wilton and Rosemoor.
Take advantage of an exciting new link between the West Somerset Railway and Hestercombe Gardens in Taunton, and enjoy a wonderful day out experiencing steam train travel, glorious views of the Somerset landscape and the beauty of the forty acre gardens at Hestercombe. On Wednesdays throughout July, August, and the first two weeks of September, a special timetable is offered for visitors taking the train from any of the stations from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. A coach will transfer you to Hestercombe from Bishops Lydeard at 11.30am returning from the gardens at 3.15pm to meet the train for the journey home.
This will give ample time to lose yourself in the unique gardens at Hestercombe that boast three different gardens on one site - the Georgian landscape garden, the Victorian Terrace and the world famous Edwardian Formal garden - all once abandoned, now loving restored. In addition to the beautiful walks, peace and tranquillity and vivid colours to be discovered in the gardens fabulous food is offered in the Courtyard Café and the gift shop and plant centre are ad added attraction.
Book tickets for the train/garden adventure on line at www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk