9 Biggest & Best Gardens In England To Visit
There are lots of stunning gardens in England, but which one is the best for you? Let’s look at the best gardens in England for your ultimate lush day out.
When you think of rolling greenery and the great outdoors, England has it all. Hundreds of square miles of farms, forests and moors means that as far as landscapes go, the proverbial grass is always greener here in England.
Millions of tourists make the trip by plane, train or automobile to see lush, green England, but where can you see the beautiful floral sights? If you want to know where the best gardens in England are, then you’ve come to the right place. An English garden is the best place to visit in order to see the large array of interesting flowers and plant life we have here in our beautiful country.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular botanical and outdoor gardens in England, each with a different story to tell. From the southern tip of Cornwall, to the northerly reaches of the Lake District, we’ll take you on a journey of floral discovery. Let’s get stuck in!
9 Biggest & Best Gardens In England
Here’s the ultimate list of the best gardens in England for you to visit ASAP!
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1. Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
The first garden on our list is a real treat for kids. Evocative of the classic children’s book ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the Lost Gardens are self-described as “200 acres of history, mystery and romance”.
Thirty years ago, Heligan’s historic gardens were unknown and unseen; lost to time since the first world war. It was only the chance discovery of a door in the ruins that led to the restoration of this once illustrious estate.
This is a perfect garden in England for the kids!
2. Eden Project, Cornwall
One of the most important plant life conservation centres in the UK, the Eden Project is a staple for botanical gardens. The visitor centre in Cornwall is nestled in a huge crater, which was used as a clay pit that was a backdrop in film in TV.
Now, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity are kept. They include some fabulous plant life along with exhibitions and stories about the biomes structure and conservation efforts. The Eden Project is a brilliant attraction to visit all-year round, and we can’t wait for the Morecambe Eden Project in Lancashire to open its doors in the near future.
You’re sure to see some of the national flowers of England here.
A visit to the Eden Project is one of the most popular days out in Cornwall.
UK Tours with Original Travel
If you want to visit Cornwall, and it’s amazing gardens and harbours, take a look at the UK tours from Original Travel. The 9-day West Country and Cornwall trip will take you to the Eden Project, as well as the other top sites in the area. You can enjoy the rugged coastlines, historical buildings and friendly locals on this nine-day tour of the West Country and Cornwall, with the experts in tailor-made travel.
3. Nyman’s, West Sussex
Nymans Garden is a classic English garden in West Sussex that has a proclivity for romance. The potent blossoms that flourish in the cusp between Spring and Summer make for a daisy-ingly lovely day out!
Historically, the garden was developed in the late 19th century, and has been maintained by three generations of the Messel family. Nyman’s is one of the best gardens in England that goes for a unique subsection of ‘outdoor’ yet ‘all-year-round’ visiting. Nyman’s really has a lasting impression on those that visit here for the first time, so we highly recommend it.
Nymans Gardens makes for a great day out in West Sussex – check out our list to see what else you can get up to in the county. Seeing one of the best gardens in England should definitely be up there!
All of these wonderful England gardens would make great days out for Mothers Day by the way.
4. Sissinghurst Gardens, Kent
Sissinghurst Castle Garden is situated in the heart of Kent and is the county’s shining achievement. It was created by Vita Sackville-West, a poet and writer born in 1892 who was ‘close’ with Virginia Woolf, and her husband Harold Nicolson. It is among the most famous gardens in England and is designated Grade I on Historic England’s register of historic parks and gardens.
The Gardens accompany an extensive castle, which stands on a site that has been occupied since the middle ages. Visit this garden if you are interested in LGBTQ+-related history.
5. Kew Gardens, London
Kew Gardens is the iconic botanic gardens located in southwest London that houses the ‘largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world’.
When most people think of gardens in England, they probably think of this one first. It was started back in 1840, as an ‘exotic garden at Kew Park’ west of London. It has a living collection of over 27,000 taxa curated by Royal Botanic Gardens and the herbarium has over 8.5 million preserved plant and fungal specimens!
Come here for one of the most popular gardens in England, and a great day out from London. If you would like tickets to Kew Gardens, you can book through LoveToVisit, here.
6. Stourhead, Wiltshire
Stourhead Estate is a 2,650-acre estate located quite conveniently at the source of the River Stour, one of the most important rivers in England.
The estate itself includes a Grade I listed 18th-century Palladian mansion, the entire village of Stourton, lush gardens, a patch of farmland, and even some woodland. Stourhead has been part-owned by the National Trust since 1946, and has undergone many changes over the years.
The iconic bridge and pantheon are the highlights for us, and we would highly recommend this spot for all you budding photographers out there!
7. Hidcote, Gloucestershire
Hidcote Manor Garden is a garden in the village of Hidcote Bartrim, and is known as one of the best-known and most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in Britain. The linked ‘rooms’ of hedges, rare trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders have attracted thousands of visitors a year for decades.
The gardens were created by Lawrence Johnston, an American who settled in England in 1900 and fought in the British army during the Boer war. In 1907 Johnston’s mother purchased the Hidcote Manor Estate. Hidcote Manor Garden was situated in a part of Britain with some strong connections to the hit Arts and Crafts movement of the time. Making this an ‘arts and crafts’ manor and gardens, for those who love authentic craftsmanship.
8. Biddulph Grange, Staffordshire
Biddulph Grange classic garden originates from the 1840s, when plant hunter James Bateman and his wife Maria teamed up with the famous painter Edward Cook. The garden lets you follow paths, steps and tunnels that lead you on a global journey from Egypt to China and everywhere in between.
The main attraction of the Biddulph Grange gardens are the rare and exotic plants and an extraordinary collection of rare and old garden furniture. The Grade I listed garden is one of the best things to survive the Victorian era since Association Football.
Visit these amazing gardens in England for a classic yet exotic outdoor experience.
9. Levens Hall, Cumbria
Stroll along the path in front of Levens Hall and you’ll find a small wooden gate leading into the Gardens, just like a garden path should lead you. Most of the garden has remained largely unchanged since the 17th century and it makes for a truly marvellous getaway.
The origins of the Levens Hall Gardens date back to the 1690s, where the ten acres of Gardens retain many original features including the world’s oldest topiary gardens. The geometric shapes of the trees and the assortment of old yews, make this garden a really unique one. Come here if you want something different in your English garden experience.
It’s one of the best gardens in England!
Gardens make for a great day out with grandparents by the way!
READ MORE: The Best Flower Gardens in England
Quicklist of the best gardens in England
- Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
- Eden Project, Cornwall
- Nyman’s, West Sussex
- Sissinghurst Gardens, Kent
- Kew Gardens, London
- Stourhead, Wiltshire
- Hidcote, Gloucestershire
- Biddulph Grange, Staffordshire
- Levens Hall, Cumbria
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