Ightham Mote garden in winter

After the leaves have fallen and many shrubs lay dormant waiting for spring, it's time for the structure of the garden to stand up proud.

With a series of smaller 'gardens' leading up towards the historic pleasure grounds, Ightham Mote's 14 acre garden has something ethereal about it in winter.

Whether it's the sunlight glistening on the water, or the early morning mists and frosts shrouding the garden, you’re never far from the sound of running water as the garden is set amongst a series of springs and water features.

Colour, scent and structure

On the slope, beneath the silvery bark of the birches, a charming array of cyclamen and snowdrops appear gradually. Whilst alongside the vibrant stems of the dogwood (Cornus), the bowed heads of the hellebores greet you.

As winter draws to an end, the sweetly-scented Daphne (Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postil’) perfumes the air, whilst the first Rhododendrons awaken from their winter slumber.

Garden tour

If you’d like to know more about the garden at Ightham Mote, and how the house came to be here, then look out for one of our volunteer led guided tours of the garden (subject to volunteer availability).