The garden at Kingston Lacy

Seasonal highlights

The spectacular colors and scents of roses are a sure sign that summer has arrived. Wander through the Rose Garden and Baffle border to take in many varieties of this beloved flower and enjoy the hot vibrant colour of the herbaceous borders as summer progresses.

This year we have added to the number of wildflower meadows in the garden. In amongst the spectacular ox-eye daisies the eagle-eyed may spot several varieties of wild orchid which are appearing in greater numbers than ever before in these areas and in the parkland this year.

Summer is an excellent time to see and hear nature in the garden. Listen out for the many different types of bird song and visit Lime Avenue to hear the buzz of busy bees who flock here to collect pollen from the trees as they flower. If you have children with you why not see what birds and creatures they can see or hear? Top things to look out for at this time of year include bumble bees, butterflies, buzzards and wild orchids.

Some things may be a bit different...

Parts of the garden remain closed until further notice. These include the Kitchen Garden and a section of the Fernery.

To keep you safe we have introduced several one-way routes that vary in length so you can choose the best option for you. Look out for the signs when you arrive. We have plenty of dog-friendly routes available and these are clearly signed (the formal garden remains a dog free area).

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteer gardeners have not been able to maintain the garden for the last three months which means some areas are looking a bit wilder. For the small number of staff who remained, the focus has been on essential maintenance and conservation tasks. We will be working hard over the coming months to get the garden back to its best and whilst we don’t have some of the usual summer bedding displays there is still plenty to enjoy.

With no limit to the length of time you can stay, take time to enjoy the tranquillity of this special time of year.

Garden of the rising sun

Step foot in the far east as you explore this seven-acre Japanese garden which was created in the early 1900s. Follow Lady Walk and look out for bamboo plants, granite lanterns and an authentic Japanese tea house. Come in the spring for cherry tree blossom, or the autumn for flaming red Japanese maples.

An ancient treasure

This ancient 6.5m-high obelisk casts a shadow over Kingston Lacy’s south lawn, a monument the adventures of William Bankes, the ‘explorer’. Amazingly, the six tonne obelisk took 9 years to be shipped from Egypt to England, helped by the Duke of Wellington.

Nursery Wood

Follow Lime Avenue and you’ll find the arboretum known as Nursery Wood. This area bursts into life during the spring and summer months, with a spectacular display of azalea, camellia, rhododendron and flowering cherry trees. Autumn is a great time to see peeling bark on the paperbark maples.