Our What’s On garden section is one of the most popular sections on our website for garden lovers for Open Gardens, and Winter Gardens you can visit all year round across the South and East of England.
Winter gardens are often created for winter interest which includes a wide range of flowering, scented shrubs full of autumn colour, and evergreen trees, grasses, and winter flowering bulbs.
Two Winter gardens that have really caught our attention for garden visitors and plant lovers are featured below.
University of Cambridge Botanic Garden, Cambridgeshire
This is likely to be the first specially created Winter garden dating back to 1979. You will see coloured stems, bark and foliage texture with winter flowers and fragrance which last until mid-spring. The garden looks at its best on a bright winter day!
Hillier Garden, Hampshire
The Hillier Garden near Winchester has one of the largest areas devoted to a Winter Garden and covers 4 acres. There are over 650 plants grouped together carefully in Island Borders, giving brilliant colours from November to March. The planting features a palette of bark, bold coloured stems, scent and foliage.
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If you want to take a break near one of the fabulous gardens featured, do check out our Where to Stay section for a splendid place to stay.
Gardens to visit across the South and East of England
Gardens to visit in Bedfordshire
The Swiss Garden
Recently restored and is looking good, and the more formal gardens at Wrest Park have also undergone restoration. Website
Stockwood Discovery Centre gardens
Inspired by nine centuries of gardening history. Website
Woburn Abbey Garden
Splendid grounds and a Deer Park. Website
Wrest Park Garden
One of the most magnificent gardens in England, but one of the least well known. Website
Gardens to visit in Berkshire
The lovely county of Berkshire has several gardens to visit including gardens near Maidenhead, Reading and Henley. The adjoining counties of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire will also spoil you for choice.
Basildon Park and Gardens
This beautiful Palladian mansion at Basildon Park and Gardens in a wonderful position above the River Thames was built in 1776-83. The formal gardens are limited, with borders around the house, and a small rose garden but the spectacular setting and the beautiful house makes this a good visit for those interested not only in gardens but historic houses. Website
Englefield House Garden
This garden must be one of the best kept secrets in Southern England and is one you should definitely put in your diary. It was originally created 400 years ago and since then there have been further additions.
Website
Great Fosters Hotel Garden
Originally designed by W H Romaine Walker and Gilbert Jenkins, the gardens are amongst the finest Arts and Crafts gardens in Europe. Framed on three sides by a Saxon moat, the formal gardens at Great Fosters are both extensive and exceptional. Website
Highclere House and Gardens
Highclere Castle and its garden was once home to Lord Canarvon who was famous for discovering the tomb of the Egyptian Boy Pharaoh. More recently it was used for the TV series Downtown Abbey. The Castle (more a grand house) is set within beautiful grounds and many of the species were brought back following his travels abroad. Website
The Savill Garden
The Savill Garden is a garden to see in all seasons and a great day out. Website
Waltham Place Garden and Estate
Waltham Place Garden has often been described, as, “the best kept secret in Berkshire”, and that should arouse your curiosity to visit this hidden gem. Website
Gardens to visit in Leicestershire
Garden for you to visit in Rutland, England’s smallest county and this is Barnsdale House which was once the home of Geoff Hamilton and BBC Gardeners World.
Barnsdale Garden
In 1984 Geoff Hamilton of BBC Gardeners World found a Victorian farmhouse with over 5 acres of land, ‘Barnsdale Garden’ was born! Website
Long Close Gardens
These organic gardens are reminiscent of those books of childhood days about magic, secret places and never-ending summers. Website
Gardens to visit in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire in Eastern England is a great place for days out.
Belton Hall
There are also historic houses like Belton Hall which has a delightful Italian Garden. Website
Brightwater Gardens
These are one of the country’s youngest snowdrops and winter gardens. Website
Dodington Hall and Gardens
They are great throughout the seasons. Website
Grimsthorpe Castle Gardens
The formal flower and topiary garden leads imperceptibly into the woodland garden, and provides a fine setting for the ornamental vegetable garden and orchard, created in the 1960’s by the Countess of Ancaster and Peter Coates. Website
Gunby Hall Gardens
The walled gardens at Gunby Hall in Lincolnshire are the focal point with arched pergolas of fruit trees, herbaceous and cutting borders, roses and herb garden. The lawns of the house lead to a wild garden and shrubbery. Website
Gardens to visit in Buckinghamshire
Include historic houses and manor house with the more formal gardens such as Waddesdon Manor created by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 1880s.
Ascott House and Garden
Has terraced lawns with views across the Chilterns, impressive topiary. Website
Cliveden Gardens
Cliveden is a spectacular estate with great formal gardens and acres of woodland, and a Japanese water garden. Website
Hughenden Manor Garden
Formal bedding dating from the 1880s in the South Garden has been restored and the orchard re-created with 35 varieties of apple and 4 of pear. There are some unusual plants at Hughenden Manor including a Chimaera ‘Adamii’ woodland walks. Website
Stowe Landscape Garden
This is the creation of the Temple family, Stowe has been described as “a work to wonder at” in its size, splendour and variety. Many garden buildings at Stowe Landscape Garden have been beautifully restored and thousands of shrubs and trees have been planted in recent years. Website
Waddesdon Manor Gardens
A special Rose Garden was created in 2000 and is planted with 600 roses supplied by David Austin Roses. There are many outstanding varieties with lovely scents. Website
West Wycombe Park
The village also belongs to The National Trust and once a year many of its cottage gardens open to the public. Website
Gardens to visit in Middlesex
Capel Manor Gardens
Capel Manor Gardens spans 30 acres and boasts 60 gardens, a zoo, restaurant and a maze! Website
Myddelton House Gardens
The Gardens at Myddleton House tell a compelling story about one of Britain’s most famous self-taught gardeners, artists and expert botanists – Edward Augustus Bowles. Website
Gardens to visit in Norfolk
Norfolk with its beautiful countryside, stunning coast, historic towns and villages also has a great selection of gardens to visit.
Bishop’s House Garden
It is a historic private 4 acre formal walled city centre garden that has belonged to the bishops of Norwich for over 900 years. Website
Blickling Hall Garden
Blickling Hall Garden has a Victorian sunken garden remodelled in the 1930s by Norah Lindsay, consisting of four herbaceous borders and yew topiary around a 17th century fountain. The garden also features a Doric Temple, orangery, formal wilderness garden with radial walks and Secret Garden. There is also a large park with lake and many attractive walks. Website
Bressingham Dell Garden
The Summer Garden, The Winter Garden and The Fragrant Garden, create a total of 17 acres with 8,000 species and varieties of plants which blend and flow between sweeping grass pathways. Website
Elsing Hall garden
More than just roses with many other unusual plants . There is a moat and stewpond surrounded by many interesting plants. Website
The Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
A great place to visit with the family with180 acres of beautiful ancient woodland, water gardens and a private broad at South Walsham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. Website
Felbrigg Hall and Garden
The walled Garden is a real gem and immaculately maintained. There is also a garden to the west of the house and there are estate walks where you can walk your dog amongst ancient trees and a lake. Website
Hindringham Hall Gardens
The Hall and surrounding pergolas are clad with roses, wisteria and clematis, and there are formal flower beds on the West Lawn which is separated from the Wild Garden by a Victorian Nut tunnel. Website
Houghton Hall Garden
An area of productive kitchen garden has been retained, with the larger part of the garden laid out as a series of ornamental gardens in various styles, and the rose garden is planted with nearly 150 varieties of both new and older roses. Website
Old Vicarage Garden
A wide range of half-hardy plants, giving the garden an exotic atmosphere. Website
The Millennium Garden at Pensthorpe Natural Park
The Wave Garden was designed by Julie Toll former Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner, turning a corner of Pensthorpe into a spring and early summer garden. Website
Peter Beales Rose Garden
A beautiful 3 acre garden. Website
The Plantation Garden
The beauty of Norwich’s Plantation Garden is a wonderful retreat in Norwich. Website
Sandringham House Gardens
Beautiful herbaceous borders, woodland and lakes with magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons covering over 60 acres. Website
Somerleyton Hall Gardens
One of Britain’s most well-preserved stately homes and gardens in the heart of the Broads National Park. Website
Gardens to visit in Cambridgeshire
Anglesey Abbey and Gardens
There are majestic tree lined avenues and walks which form the framework for hidden, more formal gardens such as the dahlia garden and a semi-circular herbaceous border. Lord Fairhaven’s impressive collection of statuary is positioned throughout the gardens. Website
Cambridge Botanic Garden
An inspiration year-round, and an exciting introduction to the natural world for families. Website
Chippenham Park Garden
Sweeping seasonal displays of daffodils and snowdrops. Over 250 roses, grand-scale borders, wooded walks and winter-gardens around the ancient canals. A remarkable contemporary formal garden in the old kitchen garden has been recently added. Website
Elton Hall Gardens
The Hall dates from the late 15th century. Immaculately kept hedges of hornbeam and yew encompass four different areas, including the enchanting sunken lily pond surrounded with beds containing a number of specimen plants. The Edwardian rose garden has been transformed into a stunning herbaceous garden with a wisteria walk. Website
Fullers Mill Garden
An enchanting and tranquil waterside retreat spanning seven-acres. Website
The Manor Garden, Hemingford Grey
This moated house is surrounded by four acres of garden and is renowned for its collection of over 200 old roses and a collection of irises. Website
Peckover House Gardens
There are spacious lawns shaded by specimen trees including gingko, Chusan palm, Tulip tree and monkey puzzle. Website
Wimpole Hall and Gardens
There is a working Rare Breeds Farm, Woodland garden, lakes, Chinese Bridge and trails that give added interest to Wimpole. This is a great day out for the whole family. Website
Gardens to visit in Lancashire
Gresgarth Hall and Garden
There are many different plants, shrubs and trees to see including many moisture loving plants, ferns, acers, lilacs as well azaleas and magnolias. Website
Rufford Old Hall and Gardens
There are woodland areas with displays of rhododendrons and azaleas and some interesting topiary including 2 squirrels. The great Hall has a hammer-beam roof with superb Angels. Website
Gardens to visit in Hertfordshire
There are also lovely gardens to visit in this county including some less well known gardens like Chenies Manor.
Benington Lordship Garden
In the walled kitchen garden, vegetables are still grown, alongside the growing collection of named snowdrop varieties – 200 to date. Website
Chenies Manor Garden
There are a variety of gardens influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, which include a Tudor-style sunken garden, a white garden, Victorian kitchen garden and 2 mazes. A display of over 20,000 tulips and other bulbs are on show in the Spring. Website
Elia Cottage Garden
A third of an acre garden reflecting the seasons. Website
Hatfield House Garden
Formal and wilderness gardens, delightful in spring with bluebells and daffodils, are open throughout the season. Website
Knebworth House and Gardens
28 acres comprising a maze, the organically run walled kitchen garden, Herb Garden, Garden Rooms, Rose Garden, Fountains, Statues, and a Park. Website
Gotha garden
Include a topiary garden, rose gardens (encompassing over 150 rose specimens), a woodland garden and tea lawn with cottage garden beds in the style of Gertrude Jekyll. Website
Gardens to visit in Essex
Home to one of the RHS gardens – Hyde Hall which can be visited any time of year.
Audley End House and Garden
Cultivated organically with something to see in every season ending with brilliant Autumn Colours. Website
Gibberd Garden
A highly individual creation, the glades, groves, pools and alleys provide settings for some 50 sculptures, large ceramic pots, architectural salvage, a gazebo and a moated castle. Website
Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum
This impressive Garden combines the best of contemporary and traditional design and includes both long established shrubs and interesting new plantings. The double border is the longest in East Anglia.
Beyond the Gardens and Arboretum, there are woodland walks where wildlife abounds, many species having survived on this site for hundreds of years. Website
RHS Hyde Hall Garden
Website
Gardens to visit in Suffolk
Suffolk is a beautiful county bordering the sea and situated in the East of England.
Abbey Gardens
Magnificent formal gardens, the largest of which consists of a great circle filled with flower beds set in well-kept lawns; there are also the more secluded areas, such as the Old English Rose Garden, the Water Garden and the Blind Garden, where scent is everything. Website
Helmingham Hall Garden
Magnificent herbaceous and spring borders, wild flower garden, Herb and Knot garden, including large collection of old fashioned roses. Website
Ickworth House Park and Garden
The park contains some of the best examples of ancient specimen trees including oak, beech and hornbeam. Orangery with lemon trees. Interesting sculptures in Italian Garden.
Plenty here for all the family including family cycle route, woodland walks and play area. Website
Kentwell Hall Gardens
One of Suffolk’s hidden gems, includes a formal walled garden with glorious borders providing seasonal displays of colour, the wildlife meadows and the Pied Piper Topiary hedge.
Whilst the magnificent Cedar and Yew Trees provide a lovely backdrop, and a children’s outdoor play area, including some “brain games” and obstacle course. Website
Somerleyton Hall and Gardens
Step back in time with a visit to one of Britain’s most well-preserved stately homes and gardens in the heart of the Broads National Park. Website
The East Bergholt Place Gardens
Set in 20 acres around a valley with a small stream and pool. Website
Gardens to visit in Hampshire
Exbury Gardens
A spectacular collection of woodland, herbaceous, contemporary, formal and wildflower gardens. Website
Furzey Garden
See the extensive collections of azaleas and rhododendrons, the strange Bottle Brush tree and flaming Chilean Fire trees. Website
Gilbert House and Garden
5 acres of restored gardens, with something spectacular to see each season. Website
Hillier Garden
The garden is beautiful at any time of the year. Website
Hinton Ampner House Garden
12 acres of excellent topiary as well as colourful borders in pastel shades. Scented plants and terraces. Website
Houghton Lodge Gardens
Idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test with water meadows with glorious gardens sheltered by beautiful trees and swathes of lawn sweeping down to the River Test. Website
Knoll Garden’s
Meadow-style drifts merge almost seamlessly across its 4-acre garden, providing an abundance of practical planting ideas in an inspirational environment that also offers a haven for rest and relaxation. Website
Mottisfont Abbey Gardens set within a walled garden.
Fabulous scents from old fashioned roses trail walls, pergolas, arches and abound everywhere. Other plants intermingle giving a fantastic picture of intense colours. Website
The Manor House Garden – Jekyll
Four and a half acres of the most beautiful gardens. Website
The Vyne and Garden
Attractive gardens and grounds featuring an ornamental lake, one of the earliest summerhouses in England and woodland walks. Website
West Green House Gardens
A charming walled garden with many different borders containing different types of plants from vegetables to roses separated by gravel paths. Website
Woolbeding Gardens
National Trust, a true horticultural haven bursting with colourful planting, sensational views and a whole host of surprises. Website
Gardens to visit in Sussex
Sussex is a wonderful county to visit gardens.
Alfriston Clergy House
A delightful small garden run by the National Trust. Website
Arundel Castle and Gardens
A historic Castle and beautiful gardens to take your breath away. Website
Batemans House and Garden
Spring borders and riverside walk to the Mill House, edged with cherries, wild flowers and spring bulbs.
More formal borders with roses and a Mulberry Garden. Website
Borde Hill Gardens
Borde Hill Gardens are based in the beautiful county of Sussex is situated in 200 acres of listed parkland and woodland, and are splendid in every season. Website
Charleston Garden, near Lewes
It’s walled garden is quintessentially a painters’ garden, mixing Mediterranean influences with cottage garden planting. Website
Denmans Garden
Converted from market garden to ornamental garden. Website
Driftwood Garden, Sleaford
A very small but special garden at just 112ft by 40ft. Website
Follers Manor Garden
A Modern Garden. Website
Great Dixter House & Gardens
Herstmonceux Castle & Grounds
Embodies the history of Medieval England your enchantment begins with your first sight of the castle as it breaks into view.Visitors are invited to walk around our beautiful Elizabethan walled gardens and the many woodland trails, leading to delightful discoveries such as our Rhododendron Gardens, Rose Garden and Herb Garden. Website
Hever Castle & Gardens
High Beeches Gardens
A 27 acres of tranquil and enchanting woodland and water gardens. Website
Highdown Gardens
Leonardslee Gardens
Set in 240-acres of woodland in Sussex. Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens described as ‘The Finest Woodland Gardens in England.’First planted in 1801. Website
Merriments Gardens
Tucked behind tall hedges, Merriments 4-acre RHS Partner Garden is a hidden treasure for garden lovers.
Website
Priory Garden
A hidden gem in the heart of the Sussex Countryside with beautiful gardens, events and exhibitions throughout the year. Website
Nymans Garden
One of the finest gardens in England. Website
Parham Gardens
There are two gardens at Parham House – the 18th century Pleasure Grounds, seven acres of rolling lawns, a lake, specimen trees, some swings and fine garden statuary – and the magnificent four-acre walled garden with a 1920s Wendy House and an orchard, abundantly-stocked greenhouse, herb and vegetable gardens, and borders of Edwardian opulence. Website
Pashley Manor Gardens
Covers 11 acres with a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds, with interest and colour throughout the year. Website
Sheffield Park
A great landscaped garden in Sussex created in the 18th century. Website
St Mary’s Bramber Gardens
Small and enchanting including amusing animal topiary, a living fossil tree, the ivy-clad ‘Monks’ Walk’, floral borders and water features. Website
Standen House Garden
A gardens and historic plant collection. Website
Sussex Prairie Garden
Approx 6 acres planted in a naturalistic style using 30,000 plants of 600 different varieties. Website
Wakehurst Garden
A wild botanic garden situated in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ on the High Weald of Sussex. Website
Gardens in West Sussex
West Dean Gardens
Beautifully dressed with clematis, roses and wisteria with under plantings including day lilies, ferns, lamium and geraniums. Website
Woolbeding Gardens in Midhurst Sussex
Close to the Surrey/Hampshire Borders, a true horticultural haven bursting with colourful planting, sensational views and a whole host of surprises. Website
Gardens to visit in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire has a good selection of historic houses open to the public and gardens that you can visit, including the well known Oxford University Botanic Garden which houses a vast plant collection.
Blenheim Palace Garden
An unforgettable experience. Website
Broughton Castle Gardens
The garden at Broughton Castle near Banbury is surrounded by a three acre moat. It consists of a number of long mixed shrub, rose and herbaceous borders together with a walled formal garden. Website
Broughton Grange Garden
The gardens at Broughton Grange are one of the finest garden creations of the 21st century. The centrepiece is an impressive three-terraced walled garden. Website
Buscot Park Gardens
The grounds comprise of woodland walks, 3 ornamental lakes and pleasure grounds. Website
Friars Court and Garden
An imposing 17th century farmhouse with 3 acres of gardens enclosed within the remaining arms of a 16th century moat. Website
Kelmscott Manor Gardens
Kingston Bagpuize House and Garden
An impressive collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs giving year round interest including snowdrops and magnolias in spring, summer flowering trees and shrubs and autumn colour. Visitors can enjoy the formal garden and terrace walk by the house, the woodland garden, shrub border as well as the parks and adjacent copses. Website
The Oxford University Botanic Garden
One of the oldest botanic gardens in the world dating from 1621. It is a truly remarkable place with one of the finest collections of plants in the world. It is in a beautiful situation next to the River Cherwell in the University Area of the City. Website
Rousham House Garden
It is one of the few gardens from this time which remain largely unaltered.There are many features such as the ponds and cascades in Venus Vale, the Cold Bath and seven arched Praeneste which you can see. These originally delighted visitors in the 18th century.The large walled gardens are also superb with a long double herbaceous borders spilling onto the paths, a pool and of course vegetables. Website
Stonor Park and garden
Surrounded by a wooded deer park in a valley in the Chiltern Hills. Website
Sulgrave Manor and Garden
Formal arts and craft style gardens including fine lawns, attractive herbaceous and mixed borders with informal cottage style planting, a romantic wildflower orchard with historic fruit trees, herb garden, topiary, a tudor vegetable garden and family area all set amongst a beautiful and tranquil rural landscape. Website
Thenford Arboretum and Gardens
The arboretum is now spread out over seventy acres, features a collection of more than three thousand different trees and shrubs, together with extensive herbaceous borders, water gardens, an alpine trough garden, a sculpture garden, a rose garden and a rill. Website
Upton House and Garden
The terrace has a large kitchen garden which mirrors how the garden would have looked in the 18th century. Double herbaceous borders run down to the pool and two small formal gardens one of which is a yew enclosed rose garden. There is a yew walk and an interesting 1930s water garden. Website
Waterperry Gardens
One of the country’s most beautiful purely herbaceous borders, formal knot and rose gardens, spectacular white and lavender wisteria arch, water lily canal, alpine garden and riverside walk. Website
Gardens to visit in Kent
Known as the Garden of England
Chartwell House and Garden
This garden has much to see including a golden rose walk created in 1958, within a walled garden, with vegetables and sweet peas, which has been recently restored. The ornamental design reflects the taste of Lady Churchill as does the planting including the walled rose garden, where clematis intermingle with the roses.Daffodils, camellias and magnolias give a good spring display. This is a great day out and it is worth paying extra to see the house where Winston Churchill lived. Website
Doddington Place Gardens
The Gardens at Doddington Place consist of 10 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens – a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day.With a notable woodland garden which is spectacular in May and June, bursting with colour from azaleas and rhododendrons, an Edwardian rock garden and sunken garden. Website
Emmetts Garden
There are many rare and exotic plants and in Spring there are great displays of daffodils, bluebells, camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons.The garden is set up high in the Kent Weald with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, and in the summer there is splendid rose garden. Website
Godinton House
Has twelve acres of tranquil gardens, and surrounded by mature parkland. Website
Goodnestone Park Gardens
The Garden is open most of the year including early February for snowdrops. 7 acres, comprising many beautiful and rare shrubs, perennials and other hardy and half hardy plants, a plantsman’s haven. Website
Hever Castle and Gardens
The Gardens at Hever Castle, near Edenbridge have matured with something to see for most of the year, you can stroll through formal gardens including the majestic Italian Garden which houses statuary and sculpture dating from Roman times – much larger than you could imagine, extending to approx 4 acres, and a Tudor Herb Garden. Website
Ightham Mote and Garden
The cottage style gardens at Ightham Mote features long borders of traditional flowers such as sweet williams, campanulas and pinks. Vegetables are interplanted with herbs. There is a lovely walled orchard with apple trees dating back to the 13th century. The garden has more informal areas with bluebells, shrubs, rhododendrons and exotic trees. Website
Leeds Castle Gardens
Set amongst 500 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens Leeds Castle and Gardens is one of the best places to visit in the South of England region. The Wood Garden alongside the River Len is a particularly lovely way to approach the Castle. Its carpet of Daffodils, Narcissi and Anemones presents a vibrant burst of colour. Later in May, the visitor is treated to the splendour of Azaleas and Rhododendrons.The Culpeper Garden was redesigned by Russell Page the famous Garden Designer in 1980. With its informal layout and low box hedges as a border this very English garden features Roses, Lupins, Poppies and Lads’ Love, with exotic blooms mixed in to create a profusion of colour and scent. Website
Penshurst Place Garden
Set in magnificent Elizabethan Gardens surrounded by 2,500 acres of Kent countryside, offering an abundance of variety in form, foliage and bloom throughout the year. Website
Scotney Castle Gardens
The gardens at Scotney Castle have spectacular displays of Rhododendrons, azaleas and Kalmia. Wisteria and rambling roses cover the ruins in Summer and trees and ferns provide rich autumn colours. Good walks in the grounds with wonderful viewpoints, covering over 700 acres. Website
Sissinghurst Garden
This is a must visit for the garden lover! Website
Walmer Castle and Garden
Created for the late HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Penelope Hobhouse redesigned part of the garden to celebrate the late Queen Mothers 95th birthday. This features a herbaceous border alongside a canal.There is a 100 metre long broad-walk in the ornamental area with beautiful herbaceous borders, and a Kitchen Garden with fruit trees, greenhouse and cut flowers garden. It also has a splendid Moat garden and woodland walk. Website
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