View from the topiary yew trees beyond the south lawn at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria — View from the topiary yew trees at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria | © National Trust Images, McCoy Wynne

Gardens in the Lake District

A garden grown by Beatrix Potter, a riot of colour in castle grounds or an intriguing collection of culinary and medicinal herbs; the Lakes is known for dramatic country landscapes, but there are some fantastic gardens to explore, too.

Step into a garden near you this spring as each fills with new buds, blossom and fresh green foliage. Choose from a formal castle landscape, wooded pleasure grounds and humble cottage gardens; each revealing its own unique character and charm as it awakens for the season.

Sizergh, Kendal

Feel inspired with a stroll through the gardens at Sizergh and find out what you’re likely to see growing here when you visit.

A view from under the blossom tree of a couple relaxing on a bench by the Mirror Lake at Sizergh, Cumbria

Acorn Bank, near Penrith

Potter around the fascinating garden at Acorn Bank. The garden boasts over 275 varieties of herbs as well as hot beds, vegetable patches and traditional fruit orchards.

Bright red tulips on the side of the courtyard at Acorn Bank. It's been raining, and the slabs on the ground are wet. In the background out of focus is a large tree and the gates into the courtyard.

Stagshaw Garden, Ambleside

Stagshaw's rambling paths and unusual combination of shrubs, trees and plants give this tranquil garden an enchanted feel, with views out to the lake and mountains beyond.

High Close Estate and Arboretum, The Langdales

Head to the Langdales and discover rare trees and shrubs from around the world at High Close Estate and Arboretum.

Daffodils flowering at Stagshaw Garden and Ambleside, Cumbria

Hill Top

Step into the garden tended to by Beatrix Potter, restored to how it was in her time, which provided some of the inspiration for her little white books.

Wordsworth House & Garden

Wordsworth's House's walled heritage garden, where William learned his love of nature, is filled with the colours, scents and sounds of the season.

Spanish bluebells and vibrant yellow flowers in the garden at Wordsworth House on a sunny spring day

Townend

Townend is a traditional Lake District farmhouse full of fascinating domestic objects and stories of the family who lived there. Step back in time and learn more about the Browne family and their lives.

A woman in period costume creating food on a table in an old farmhouse kitchen

Allan Bank

With rugged 19th-century woodland grounds bordering formal lawns, a re-established vegetable garden and views over Grasmere lake, there's plenty to see and do in the gardens at Allan Bank.

Hot on the heels of snowdrops and crocuses, blossom is often one of the first spring flower varieties to arrive, heralding the start of a new season. From wild blackthorn blossom along farmers' hedgerows to carefully cultivated cherry blossom in historic gardens, keep an eye out for these bright and delicate small flowers everywhere you go.

Blossom at Sizergh

The bright pink and almond scented flowers of the Japanese Apricot can be found in the Rock Garden in March, followed by the Magnolia in the South Garden in April. Look out for the Japanese cherry at the entrance to the Stumpery adorned with fragrant white cup-shaped flowers, and the pale pink flowers of Prunus Kojo-no-mai on the Spring Walk. Trained pears will also be blossom on the Fruit Wall in April. In May, as you enter the Stumpery, you can’t miss the spectacular Hawthorn covered in white flowers. Later in the month the orchard will be filled with clouds of pink & white apple blossom, followed in June by the blossom of the Dwarf Indian Horse Chestnut near the Herbaceous Border.

Family walking under blossom tree in Spring at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria

Wordsworth House & Garden

Fluffy pink and white apple blossom decorates the walled garden, usually in May and rarely before. Local apple varieties adorn the orchard, such as Keswick Codlings, Carlisle Codlings and Greenups Pippins. Underneath, wild primroses and beautifully fluffy common bistort flower in the beds bloom, later to be joined by fiery red and orange tulips.

Visitors exploring the garden at Wordsworth House and Garden, Cumbria

Acorn Bank

Out on the estate, blackthorn blossom is the first to bloom in April, later joined by hawthorn in May and elderflower in June. The subtle white blossom of three huge cherry trees overhangs the Sunken Garden from the woodland, and apple blossom arrives in the orchard in early May. The huge Blakeney Red pear tree was donated by cider makers Babycham, and there’s also a baby apple tree of an endangered species (the niedswetzkyana). It’s ornamental; the blossom is a deep pink and the fruit of the apple itself has red flesh.

Feel inspired with a whole host of gardens to visit across the north of England

Gardens in Liverpool and Lancashire

To gardens filled with history and colour at Speke Hall, to a peaceful garden with canal walks at Rufford Old Hall, discover gardens to explore in spring.

White blossom trees standing in front of a black-and-white Tudor house.

Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Manchester

From the woodland garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, discover spring gardens in bloom in this corner of the North West.

A man and a woman sat on a bench facing away from the camera. They are sat underneath white blossom trees. The red brick Georgian house of Dunham Massey can be seen in the background. A brick canal wall surrounded by green flowers can be seen in the foreground.

Top Gardens in the North East

Soak up the sights and smells of spring as the gardens around the North East begin to bloom. Explore Wallington's hidden garden, witness a seasonal spectacle at Cragside or wander through interlinked gardens with views of Durham at Crook Hall Gardens.

Gardens and parks in Yorkshire

Enjoy Yorkshire's spring gardens and parks, from the landscaped views at Fountains Abbey, to the gardens within a garden at Wentworth Castle Gardens, pathways and borders at Nostell, and the Mediterranean Garden at Beningbrough.