Historic Gardens

Digging Deeper: History’s Glorious Garden Tours

The historic gardens in our care are among the finest in the country.

Join us on garden tours at participating sites from September 12th to October 21st and learn more about England's garden past. To ensure the best possible visitor experience, many of our tours have capacity limits. They are run on a first come, first serve basis, and so please arrive early to avoid disappointment. 

*Many of our tours are volunteer led, and there may be occasions where we need to rearrange or cancel them at short notice. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause.

HISTORIC GARDENS TOUR TIMES

  • Audley End House and Gardens

    Learn about Audley End's autumn highlights, seasonal tasks and the bountiful produce that grows in the Kitchen Garden. View Tour Timetable (PDF).

  • Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

    Discover the Yew Garden, the Magnolia Terrace and Winter Garden at Belsay Hall on garden tours at 11am and 2pm on Wednesdays.

  • Boscobel House and the Royal Oak

    Explore a unique example of a 17th century garden and learn about its parterres, the arbour and kitchen garden on tours at 2pm on Thursdays.

  • Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

    Explore this 15-acre garden connected by tunnels, bridges and pathways on garden tours at 11:30am and 1:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

  • Down House

    Unearth Charles Darwin's 'outdoor laboratory' on garden tours of the herbaceous border, glasshouse and the Kitchen Garden at 12:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

  • Eltham Palace

    Discover Eltham Palace's historic 19-acre gardens and explore its medieval features on garden tours at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Gardens

    Stroll through the Elizabethan garden and learn about its opulence and splendour on garden tours this autumn. View Tour Timetable (PDF).

  • Marble Hill

    Learn about English Heritage's work to restore Henrietta Howard's long lost gardens and the history of trees on garden tours this autumn. View Tour Timetable (PDF).

  • Mount Grace Priory

    Discover the Arts and Crafts garden and explore the Monk Cells on garden tours at 11am and 2pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 1pm on Fridays.

  • Osborne

    Explore Osborne's gardens, the Terraces and the Walled Garden, in all their autumnal glory. Learn about the history on garden tours at 11:30am and 1:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

  • Walmer Castle and Gardens

    Step into Walmer Castle's garden past and learn more about the Broadwalk, the Queen Mothers' Garden and the Kitchen Garden on tours at 1:30pm on Thursdays.

  • Witley Court and Gardens

    Discover Witley Court's gardens through 'Day in the Life of a Gardener' and 'East Parterre' on garden tours at 11am on Wednesdays.

  • Wrest Park

    Unearth hidden gems at Wrest Park's and discover 90 acres of French, Dutch, Italian and English style gardens on tours at 11am and 1pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (excluding 6 Oct.)

Discover England’s past in all its autumnal glory

Explore castles and abbeys nestled in golden woodland, see country houses swathed in morning mist and wander through historic gardens ablaze with spectacular seasonal colour.

With hundreds of sites across the country waiting to be discovered, autumn is the perfect time to make the most of our past.

Autumn Days Out

MORE TO EXPLORE

  • Autumn Garden Highlights

    Keep cosy and enjoy wandering through our historic gardens where you'll discover the stories behind our leafy woodlands, decorative flower beds and seasonal kitchen produce.

  • Unusual Autumn Gardens

    From flowers that only blossom in the evening to plants that were once cultivated for their healing properties, take a look at some of the more unusual garden finds.

  • Become a member

    As an English Heritage member you can delve far deeper into our history. Join today to get unlimited access to the spectacular places where history really happened.