Historic Gardens
From sweeping vistas to organic vegetables, English Heritage cares for a number of historic gardens and landscapes around the country.
Find beautiful gardens to visit and learn more about the history of gardens through the ages, including those created by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown - the 18th century pioneer who radically changed the world of landscape gardening.
Summer Garden Highlights
From the afternoons Queen Victoria spent painting landscapes at Osborne to the 19th century loos built in Brodsworth's backyard, discover how our gardens have been shaped by history.
This summer, take a walk through our historic gardens as sweet smelling roses, royal myrtle and freshly clipped topiary tell a sensory story from the past. You can even pack a picnic and feast among the flowers like our ancestors might have done.
Find a gardenGardens to Visit
From rolling parkland and stunning vistas to elegant parterres and working kitchen gardens, we look after some of the most magnificent gardens in the country.
If you're looking for inspiration, we've picked out some of our favourites here.
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Wrest Park
Enjoy over 90 acres of beautiful gardens, including landscapes remodelled by Capability Brown.
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Audley End
Wander the tranquil gardens created by Capability Brown, and enjoy stunning views across the Essex countryside.
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Eltham Palace
Explore a rare example of a 1930s Arts and Crafts garden during a visit to this stunning Art Deco home.
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Down House
Visit the site of great scientific discovery at Down House, the home of Charles Darwin.
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Osborne House
Enjoy the glorious terraces and stunning bedding made possible by the mild climate at Queen Victoria’s Isle of Wight home.
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Walmer Castle
Look out for spring blooms on Walmer’s woodland walk, and vist the tearoom to sample produce from the organic kitchen garden.
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Witley Court and Gardens
Discover elaborate parterre gardens and monumental fountains then find your way through enchanting woodland to the unique adventure play area.
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Carisbrooke Castle
Enjoy the charming period planting, water features and orchard, from the ground level and from the battlement walk.
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Kenilworth Castle
Walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I in Kenilworth Castle’s restored 16th-century garden.
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Brodsworth Hall
Explore this 15 acre garden connected by tunnels, bridges and pathways, including a fern dell built in the 1860s.
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Mount Grace
Perfect for a relaxing and peaceful day out. Discover the reconstructed monk’s cell and herb plot.
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Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Explore the medieval castle, the Grecian inspired Hall and acres of impressive gardens.
RE-DISCOVERING WALMER'S PLEASURE GROUNDS
In a £2.3m project at Walmer Castle, English Heritage is taking action to revive and reunite gardens begun by William Pitt the Younger, assisted by his niece, Lady Hester Stanhope.
Read on to find out how we are going to recover these lost features, re-unite them into the pleasure grounds, and re-present them for future generations to enjoy.
Find out moreHISTORIC GARDEN BLOGS
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HOW CHARLES DARWIN’S GARDEN INSPIRED THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION
From playing music to earthworms to wandering up and down his own ‘thinking path’, Charles Darwin found plenty of inspiration for his theories at Down House in Kent.
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MOUNT GRACE: HOW TO SPOT AN ARTS AND CRAFTS GARDEN
Simplicity of design, use of local materials and traditional craftsmanship were all central principles of the movement we now know as ‘Arts and Crafts’. Discover how this applies to gardens.
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How to garden like a Medieval Monk
Discover how much attention monks paid to their gardens. We take a closer look at the history of Mount Grace Priory and the role gardens played in the daily life of its monks.
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THE HISTORY OF OSBORNE MYRTLE IN ROYAL WEDDINGS
Myrtle, a delicate white flower that grows at Osborne, has been the flower of choice for royal brides since the 1850s. In this blog we investigate the royal tradition and it's popularity at weddings.
How to Make Soup
Watch as Mrs Crocombe, the Victorian cook, shows you how to make a light soup the Victorian way using rhubarb from the kitchen garden at Audley End House. You can discover more of her recipes by visiting our YouTube Channel.
Visit our channelMore to explore
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Shop Gardens
From an elegant new piece of furniture to decorative birdhouses, or even a practical caddie to hold all of your gardening tools. We've got just the thing to help you make the most of any outdoor space.
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Days out with Dogs
Enjoy a great day out with your dog at an English Heritage property. There are plenty of dog-friendly sites across the whole of England for your furry friends to enjoy.
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Become a Member
Start a year of adventure. An English Heritage membership offers an unlimited annual pass to over 400 historic sites across the country.
