Historic Gardens

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.

View our Top 10 Gardens

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 garden

Blooming Gardens events

Enjoy our beautiful historic gardens at their blooming best with tours, demonstrations, stalls and expert advice throughout the day.

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 more

Gardens 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.

Inspire me

  • Wrest Park

    Enjoy over 90 acres of beautiful gardens, including landscapes remodelled by Capability Brown.

  • Audley End

    Wander the tranquil gardens created by Capability Brown, and enjoy stunning views across the Essex countryside.

  • Kenilworth Castle

    Walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I in Kenilworth Castle’s restored 16th-century garden.

  • Brodsworth Hall

    Explore this 15 acre garden connected by tunnels, bridges and pathways, including a fern dell built in the 1860s.

  • Osborne House

    Enjoy the glorious terraces and stunning bedding made possible by the mild climate at Queen Victoria’s Isle of Wight home.

  • Walmer Castle

    Look out for spring blooms on Walmer’s woodland walk, and vist the tearoom to sample produce from the organic kitchen garden.

  • Eltham Palace

    Explore a rare example of a 1930s Arts and Crafts garden during a visit to this stunning Art Deco home.

  • Down House

    Visit the site of great scientific discovery at Down House, the home of Charles Darwin.

HISTORIC GARDEN BLOGS

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 channel

More to explore

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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