Gardens

The 19th-century gardens and estate eventually covered more than 2,000 acres (800 hectares). The current estate extends to 354 acres (143 hectares) and includes formal terraces with statuary, a walled garden and extensive parkland. Queen Victoria’s seaside retreat, Osborne House was built by Prince Albert, who was also very instrumental Read more [...]

The Nymans Estate is the achievement of three generations of the Messel family. Created in the 20th century it is one of the great gardens of the Sussex Weald, internationally known for its beauty, atmosphere and collection of rare and important plants. There are wonderful views over the Sussex countryside Read more [...]

Visitors approaching Mottisfont are often drawn to the enormous tree which, from some angles, seems to dwarf the building. This huge London Plane is thought to be the largest of its kind in Britain, and forms part of the National Collection of plane trees which stand in our grounds. The Read more [...]

The Minterne Valley was landscaped in the manner of Capability Brown in the 18th Century. The gardens are laid out in a horseshoe below Minterne House, with a chain of small lakes, waterfalls and streams. They contain a unique collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and Azaleas, with Spring bulbs, Cherries, Maples Read more [...]

One and half acre garden designed and constructed by current owners. An exceptional range of rare, unusual and architectural plants including National Collections of Eucalyptus, Podocarpaceae & Araliaceae. Much use made of dramatic foliage plants from around the world, both hardy and tender, big bananas, huge taros, tree ferns, cannas, Read more [...]

Mapperton Gardens is a romantic valley garden deep into a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoilt countryside. The valley gardens at Mapperton reflect at least three periods of history. On the upper level, close to the house, is the Italianate garden laid out by Ethel Labouchere in her Read more [...]

Leonardslee is located just on the edge of the High Weald of Sussex and benefits from the rich Weald soil combined with an idyllic sheltered valley.Sir Edmund Loder, one of the big Victorian plant collectors, appreciated this and after purchasing the estate from his parents-in-law in 1889, he started developing Read more [...]

A tranquil setting of spacious lawns and fine trees frames an 18th Century “Cottage Ornee” overlooking the unspoiled beauty of the River Test. Visitors can enjoy the contrast between the formality of the traditional walled kitchen garden with its heated greenhouses and hydroponicum (an exhibition of soilless horticulture) and the Read more [...]

Hilltop’s south facing garden is a gorgeous riot of colour and scent, the 250 year old thatched cottage barely visible amongst the greenery and flowers. Unusual annuals and perennials grow alongside traditional and familiar plants like phlox, roses, asters and dahlias boldly combine to make a spectacular display. The focus Read more [...]

A 9 acre chalkpit garden on the southern slope of Highdown Hill with rock plants and flowering shrubs which thrive on lime soil. There is a collection of spring bulbs and a rose garden, paeonies and autumn berries.The Chalk Garden at Highdown is the achievement of Sir Frederick and Lady Read more [...]