Brits have a long history of green-figured genius, and to celebrate the most amazing botanic creations Visit England has declared 2016 to be the Year of the English Garden. We think that some of our country’s most striking patches of land are located close to the coast, so to mark the event we’ve picked our favourite gardens by the sea.
There are holiday parks nearby, so it’s easy for you to plan a visit to any of these amazing creations.
The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Striking water features, geometric ornamental gardens and one of the largest collections of European plants are among the highlights of these beautiful gardens, created by celebrated designers Wirtz. More favourites include the spring blossoms, fragrant roses and the roots and shoots vegetable garden. Break for lunch at the tree-top restaurant, which is set in one of the world’s largest wooden tree houses.
Entry: from £7.70 for adults, £4.40 for children
Where to stay in Northumberland: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/north-east/northumberland
Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Isle of Wight
Taking full advantage of the island’s south coast microclimate, Ventnor Botanic Gardens has an impressive collection of rare, subtropical and exotic plantings in Mediterranean, Arid, Australian, New Zealand and South African gardens.
Entry: from £8.50 for adults, £5 for children.
Where to stay on the Isle of Wight: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/isle-of-wight
The Beth Chatto Gardens, Essex
Though comparatively small, this hidden gem garden was created on top of an old car park and manages to pack in a water garden, woodland area, scree beds and gravel garden.
Entry: from £6.95 for adults, free for under 14s
Where to stay in Essex: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/essex
Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
Overgrown until the early 1990s, the Lost Gardens were hailed as the “garden restoration of the century.” Today there are stunning Victorian productive gardens, an Italian Garden and an exotic outdoor jungle. Look out for the Giant’s Head, Mud Maid and Grey Lady.
Entry: from £12.50 for adults; £6 for children
Where to stay in Cornwall: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/devon-and-cornwall
Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens, East Yorkshire
There are more than 4,000 different plants in these award-winning Elizabethan gardens. Seek out the classical pond, pebble mosaic garden, herbaceous borders, more than 100 yew topiary bushes and a national collection of bell-shaped campanulas. If you follow the woodland walk, look for the wildlife sculptures along the way.
Entry: from £7 for adults, £4 for children
Where to stay in East Yorkshire: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/yorkshire/yorkshire-coast
Great Dixter House & Gardens, East Sussex
The stunning garden was the passion of gardening writer Christopher Lloyd and is now famous for having some of the most exciting planting in England. Highlights include the Long Border, Wall Garden and the Peacock Garden, where there are 18 sculpted topiary birds towering above daisy hedges.
Entry: from £8.80 for adults, £2.75 for children
Where to stay in in East Sussex: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/sussex/east-sussex
Levens Hall, Cumbria
These 17th century gardens are world famous because of more than 100 individual topiary pieces. Sculpted shapes include chess pieces, Queen Elizabeth and Howard the Lion, with some bushes more than nine metres high.
Entry: from £9 for adults, £5 for children
Where to stay in Cumbria: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/north-west-and-lakes/cumbria
Godolphin House and Estate, Cornwall
The medieval gardens of this historic house are among the most important in Europe. Enjoy the peace of King’s Garden and Side Garden, which is largely unchanged from the 16th century. Head to the potting shed for expert gardening tips.
Entry: from £6 for adults; £3 for children
Where to stay in Cornwall: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/devon-and-cornwall
Powderham Castle, Devon
Explore the Victorian walled garden and a plant-filled glasshouse, with an adventure play, pets corner and picnic area for families. BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Toby Buckland hosts a two-day festival in May.
Entry: from £11.50 for adults; £9 for children
Where to stay in Devon: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/devon-and-cornwall
Torre Abbey Gardens, Devon
For those with a dark side, Torre Abbey features a garden inspired by the novels of local writer Agatha Christie and is filled with plants that can kill or cure (in theory, anyway). There’s also one of the Westcountry’s finest Dahlia collections and a new medieval children’s garden.
Entry: adults £7.50, £3 for children
Where to stay in Devon: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/devon-and-cornwall
Mapperton House, Dorset
These spectacular formal valley gardens are Italian in style and include pretty fishponds, an orangery and summer houses. There’s also a wild garden, woods and stunning views.
Entry: from £6 for adults, under 15s are free
Where to stay in Dorset: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/dorset-and-somerset
Pensthorpe Park, Norfolk
There is so much to see, including a structured Millennium Garden, the lush foliage of the Wave Garden; a Wildlife Habitat Garden and Wildflower Meadow, with plenty of places to get closer to nature by feeding birds, following a wildlife tracker trail, or trying pond dipping. The park is breeding site for many birds that are rarely seen elsewhere in the UK.
Entry: from £11.25 for adults, £9.75 for children
Where to stay in Norfolk: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/norfolk
Gunby Hall and Gardens, Lincolnshire
The Victorian walled gardens of this 16th-century country house feature sweeping formal lawns, flower borders, vegetable gardens and wildflower corners.
Entry: from £5 for adults, £2.50 for children
Where to stay in Lincolnshire: https://www.breakfreeholidays.co.uk/caravan-park-holidays/uk/lincolnshire
Photo credits:
- Alnwick Gardens: VisitEngland/Alnwick Castle and Gardens
- Burton Agnes Hall: VisitEngland/Visit Hull and East Yorkshire
- Levens Hall: VisitEngland/Visit Cumbria
- Powderham Castle: VisitEngland/Heart of Devon
- Great Dixter Garden: VisitEngland/Great Dixter
- Ventnor Botanic: VisitEngland/Visit Isle of Wight
- Lost Gardens of Heligan: Heligan Gardens Ltd