Gardens & parks
We care for more than 200 gardens and parks. From small secret hideaways and kitchen gardens to landscaped lawns, beautiful borders and acres of parkland. We’ve now reopened some of our gardens and parks so you can see them blooming in their colourful glory.
Summer blooms to look out for
Sea Holly
These striking, spiky blue flowers make a real impact in a border, and are also great for attracting pollinators such as bees to your garden.
Lilies and waterlilies
With their large showy blooms in bright colours, lilies are a real summer showstopper. Don’t forget to look out for waterlilies blooming on ponds and lakes too.
Clematis
Clematis come in a huge range of colours and shapes, but they all look great climbing up a wall or sprawling over a pergola. Some can even be grown as shrubs.
Poppies
Poppies are easy to grow, so they’re a great option or kids to raise from seed. Instantly recognisable, they can be found throughout the whole of summer.
Lavender
Hardy and low-maintenance, lavender is a great option for borders, containers, or even lining pathways. For many people it’s also the real smell of summer.
Roses
It wouldn’t be a British summer without the scent of roses on the air. There are thousands of varieties to discover. How many will you find?
Buddleja
Buddleja is commonly known as the butterfly bush, because it’s a favourite source of nectar for the insects. It’s a great choice for a sunny spot in the garden.
Podcast episodes on gardens
Delve into a world of tropical paradises and tranquil lakes as you explore episodes from the National Trust Podcast that explore our gardens. We'll shed light on the visionaries who designed these spectacular landscapes, and find out what it takes to care for them today.
Gardens through the ages
Tudor gardens: Henry VII 1485 - Elizabeth I 1603
The influence of the Renaissance left its mark on the gardens of the Tudors, seen in the inclusion of architectural features. The most recognised feature from this period is the knot garden.
Stuart Gardens: 1600-early 1700s
Gardens grew larger during the Stuart period as the influence of French and Dutch formal gardens brought features such as long avenues, terraces and topiary.
Georgian gardens: 1714-1830
Gardens and parks merged into one during the 18th century to create a British style that would influence gardens across Europe.
Victorian Garden Designs: 1837-1901
Exotic plants from around the world were brought home to gardens by Victorian collectors. The bright new colours were displayed in more formal garden styles.
20th-century gardens: Edwardian gardens to present day
The structured 'rooms' that epitomised gardens at the turn of the century were later softened with borders of the many new herbaceous plants being bred.
Medieval gardens: Middle Ages to 1500
Medieval garden style was dominated by monasteries and manor houses. Herbs were grown for medicine and gardens were an important food source.
