AD | Most you who follow my blog know I describe myself as a keen if clueless gardener, so I’m always happy to take advice from the best. We’re very lucky that some of Britain’s most beautiful gardens – from the Alnwick Garden (see photo above, The Walled Garden © Richard West (cc-by-sa/2.0)) to the grounds of Kensington Palace – are open for us to visit and to be inspired by.
Which are Britain’s most beautiful gardens?
Obviously, that’s a personal choice but for this post, I’ve teamed up with Oldrids & Downtown *, retailers of some lovely conservatory furniture, to get you in the mood for sunny days in our own gardens. And these are what we think are some of our country’s most beautiful gardens at the same time.
Kensington Palace Gardens
Take yourself off to the magical world of Neverland by visiting the Kensington Palace Gardens – did you know they were the key inspiration behind the famous children’s book, Peter Pan? As well as being home to some of our royals, the palace is world-renowned for its spectacular garden space. The Sunken Garden makes for lovely peaceful stroll.
The palace prides itself on keeping up with the historic traditions that were once in place. In the spring, tulips, pansies and wallflowers bloom, whilst during summer, you should see geraniums, cannas and begonias pop out with colour. So something different to admire all year round.
One of the most popular attractions of the gardens is the Diana, Princess of Wales’ Memorial Playground, which is perfect for a day out with the kids. So you’ll be able to take plenty of pics!
Biddulph Grange Garden
If you’re looking for a garden to open your eyes to different cultures, a trip to the National Trust’s Biddulph is a must. The 15-acre land is split into different sections representing different countries across the globe. Chinese, Egyptian and multiple other themes run throughout.
The Egyptian landscape includes towering square hedges and a grand temple protected by two pairs of sphinxes. A mysterious passageway leading to the temple is lit by red lights, and there’s also stained-glass window, which allows you to see the detail of the monkey-god sculptures.
The beauty of the China Garden is that it brings the entire Chinese culture to one place. Bright reds, yellows and greens are featured on all of the structures, from pond bridges to pagodas. The garden also includes a pagoda tree, paulownia tomentosa, azaleas, bamboos, hostas and more, as well as other plants from Japan, Britain and America.
There’s so much to see at the Biddulph Grange Garden, so do remember to take your phone or camera, because there’ll be plenty of brilliant photo opps for Instagram!
The Alnwick Garden
Visiting the Alnwick Garden is like stepping into another world. Home to fountains, poison gardens and one of the biggest treehouses in the world, this 14-acre site has it all. The 3rd Duke of Northumberland brought seeds from all over the world to populate the garden with flowers and now the site has over 200 species of plants — including some which are deadly.
Whatever you do, don’t miss their Poison Garden, locked by cast-iron gates with skull plaques saying “These Plants Can Kill”! The garden includes strychnos nux-vomica, hemlock, ricinus communis and even more deadly plants. However, it aims to educate people on drugs too, by featuring cannabis, coca and papaver somniferum – opium.
If you love an adventure, the Treehouse that’s been built from sustainable Canadian cedar, Scandinavian redwood as well as English and Scots pine, is the place you should head for. The wobbly rope bridges will lead you to the Treehouse café and restaurant, where their trunks power through the flooring!
Britain’s most beautiful gardens – which is your favourite?
Wow, there’s so much inspiration here, as well as some fabulous days out. We are so very lucky to have such a wonderful range of beautiful landscapes and attractions to visit. I think Alnwick is top of my list (those gates!), but which garden do you think you might head to this summer?
* This is a sponsored post.
Wow, Kensington Palace Gardens are beautiful and I never knew that it was the inspiration for Peter Pan! The China Garden looks like a proper cultural experience with such bright and vibrant colours. The Poison Garden Gate looks like something from a horror film, I’d be interested to visit and see what plants are behind those gates. Great post Lisa, really interesting to read, thanks for sharing! xx
Tbh, I didn’t know much about any of these gardens until I did a little research but if I do make it up to Alnwick, I’ll definitely post an update with those Poison Garden plants, haha! X
All these gardens are beautiful. Kensington Palace Gardens look so magical and I had no idea that it was the inspiration behind Peter Pan!
They are, aren’t they? And no, neither did I, after all, there’s no crocodile! ?
WOW! I’m so jealous at how beautiful these gardens are. Oddly enough, I’m really curious about the Poison Garden – that’d be cool to see deadly plants up close and personal, and I think it’s great that they provide some educational material on it as well. I love gardens so much! Thanks for sharing.
Not odd at all, I’d love the Poison Gardens too, they sound fascinating, although I wouldn’t take inspiration from them, haha. Thank you for reading! ?
Hey now, I definitely would not describe you as a clueless gardener! All of your gardening posts are packed with knowledge and experience, so don’t sell yourself short! I absolutely love visiting gardens like the ones you’ve described here. It’s actually one of the main reasons why I am a National Trust member, because visiting opulent houses and gardens such as those that Waddesdon Manor and Blenheim Palace is such a pleasure, especially in the height of summer when everything is in bloom! The Biddulph Grange Garden looks absolutely beautiful and somewhere that I would definitely like to spend a day out! The 200+ species of plants available for viewing at Alnwick Garden would make for a fantastic trip as well!
Abbey xx
Aw, thank you, Abbey! I just write about what I do in my own garden, mistakes and all! I love Waddesdon too, and Trebah down in Cornwall is amazing. I really enjoy walking round other people’s gardens and seeing how they’ve laid things out. As you say, the NT has some wonderful properties, we are very lucky in this country! Xx
That’s a great post Lisa!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Must say beautiful pictures ❤
You’re welcome! Yes, the pics are lovely ?
OMG Lisa these gardens are so beautiful with so many colorful flowers. I would love to visit. The last one is so scary and looks like some haunting place. But really interesting to learn. We can definitely shoot some horror movie there. haha! 🙂 Lovely pictures
Horror movies, love it, what a fab idea! Thank you! X
I don’t live far from Biddulph Gardens and it’s honestly so beautiful!
Kay xx
Oh wow, lucky you, it looks so beautiful, so much to see! X
There are some absolute beautiful gardens here hun! They are so stunning so I can see why you find some inspiration in them. The Alnwick castle gates are just lovely, definitely somewhere I would love to visit.
They really are, aren’t they? On the bucket list for summer holidays, I think! X