Visiting the garden at Hardwick Hall

Blossom at Hardwick — Blossom in the Hardwick gardens | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Hardwick's historic garden bursts with colour no matter the season and it is the perfect place for a spot of calm. Discover the garden highlights to look out for on your visit.

Spring flowers

There are an abundance of spring bulbs appearing, with a variety of crocus, daffodils and iris. In the stumpery, iris crown the lush green ferns that appear out of the architectural stumps. It won't be long before magnolia flowers appear on the South Lawn, a welcome sight for visitors exploring the gardens.

Magnolia in flower in early spring with the house in the background at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire — Magnolia in flower in early spring at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Blossoms

From late March, wander through the orchards to see the branches burst to life with a variety of pink and white blossom. At Hardwick, you'll see an ornamental orchard and a fruiting orchard. Discover the varieties for yourself while exploring the gardens.

The best time to visit the fruiting orchard is in April and May as the blossom comes in to bloom. The ornamental orchard is best in September and October as the golden leaves fall leaving the bright maroon crab apples glowing in the trees.

Gardeners busy at work

The gardeners at Hardwick are busy prepping the beds, clearing the old foliage, making way for the fresh new stems and saplings. In the nursery, plants are being prepared for the shop and to plant out in the months to come, bringing that summer colour in the West Court.

Visitor walking in the orchard in May at Hardwick Hall, Worcestershire — There's lots of walking routes around the estate at Hardwick | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Ask the team

The garden is cared for and managed by a team of four gardeners, with the help of a trusty team of volunteers. They are keen to share their knowledge, so feel free to ask them a question if you see them.