Described as the ‘Gateway to Paradise’ by John Ruskin, Muncaster gardens offer over 70 acres of wild beauty. The spectacular views of the Lakeland Fells act as backdrop to the rare and unusual plants in the rugged Himalayan Garden, the yew pillars on the Georgian Terrace Walk and the delightful charms of Church Wood, home to a colourful collection of Japanese maples. The landscaped areas, first planted in the 1780’s, are contrasted by the wild woods, home to one of Europe’s largest collections of Rhododendrons, both species and hybrids. The Victorian Kitchen Garden, recently renovated, hosts a traditional vegetable garden, a carefully researched herb and physic garden and a Plant Centre as well as some aviaries of the famous World Owl Centre. Our propagation programme enables preservation of the plant collection by regeneration from original stock and gives visitors the chance to purchase some of Muncaster’s more unusual species.