Gardens & parks

We have more than 200 wonderful gardens to explore and enjoy. Beautiful flower gardens, impressive landscape parks and space for you and your family to relax

Visitors beside the Lily Pond at Gibside, Tyne and Wear

Keep the kids busy this summer

Children running in the garden at Killerton

Family-friendly gardens 

Planning a day out the whole family will enjoy? Let your children's or grandchildren's imaginations run wild as they explore our gardens.

Child on a rope swing at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Top natural play areas 

Follow willow tunnels or make your very own woodland den in our natural play areas. You can also splash along muddy trails, hang onto rope swings and hunt for treehouses and bug hotels. Here's our pick of the best natural play areas at our places.

Children playing at Foxbury in the summer, Bramshaw Commons

Join in the 50 things summer fun 

Roll down a really big hill, climb a tree or hunt for bugs, there's loads of great 50 things activities you can tick off your list in our gardens and parks.

Enjoy a picnic in Eyam Hall's quaint walled garden

Perfect picnic spots 

Pack a hamper, round up friends and family and enjoy a leisurely summer's day outside. Whether you prefer golden sand, wildflower meadows or rolling green hills, there's a landscape for every taste.

A view across the Lower Rose Terrace and Canal Terrace in summer, with roses beds flowering, against the Pin Mill and Canal Pond.

Summer gardens near you 

With vibrant displays of flowers and long, warm days to look forward to, summer is the time to make the most of nature, so why not explore the delights of some of the gardens we care for.

Visitors at Mottisfont, Hampshire

14 fragrant rose gardens 

Take a stroll through one of the many rose gardens in full bloom this summer. There are hundreds of varieties bred by gardeners many years ago. Find out about original planting schemes and enjoy the delicate scent and colours of old-fashioned roses.

The garden at Overbecks

Gardens by the sea 

The coastal gardens at the places we care for have some uniquely eye-catching views. With the sea as their backdrop and perennial planting, you can enjoy visiting all year.

Luna cinema at Waddesdon Manor, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire

Outdoor spots for theatre, music and film 

From Shakespeare on stage to jazz on the lawn and Oscar-winning movies on the silver screen, join the outdoor theatre, music and film events at some of the most spectacular places we look after.

Gardens and parks near you

From walled gardens to landscaped lawns, gardens designed by big names to acres of parkland, we've more than 500 years of history for you to explore.

Discover our gardens and parks
A gardener gives a talk to a group in the rose garden at Polesden Lacey

Gardening events 

If you love gardens, then why not come along to one of our garden events? We have tours, walks, workshops and courses on all aspects of gardening, from hedge laying to rhododendron rambling.

Garden events near you
Summer meadow flowers with a bright blue sky

Eight things to spot in a summer meadow 

Find out what you could discover in our meadows this summer, from courting insects to orchids

Discover more
The oriental inspired Water Garden at Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Listen to our podcast about gardens 

Download or listen to episodes from our podcast series that explore our most important historic gardens and meet the staff and volunteers who care for them.

Data laws have changed – don’t get left out Stay in
View of The Terraces in spring at Cotehele, Cornwall

For garden lovers 

Want to discover more than 200 gardens, or pick up horticultural tips from our green-fingered experts? Browse all of our gardening content in one place to find your next inspiration.

For garden lovers

Garden conservation

Find out more about the work that goes on behind the scenes by our talented garden teams to restore and conserve the gardens you love to visit

What we do

Gardener's tips

Looking after more than 200 gardens has taught us a thing or two, so here our gardeners share some of their tips for a blooming beautiful garden

Pick up some top tips