Gardens to visit in the Lake District

Gardens that inspired 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. From roses and hydrangeas to wildflowers and waterlilies, there’s something new to see and smell every time you visit.

Couple on bench in Hill Top garden, Cumbria

Hill Top 

What the farmhouse garden at Hill Top lacks in size is more than made up by its fame. Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top with the royalties from the ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’, and scenes from her 'little books' can still be seen today. The roses, buddleia and foxgloves are a real summer favourite. Beatrix's love of flowers is explored in an exhibition at the nearby Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead.

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A couple walk through the garden at Sizergh

Sizergh  

Soak up the sights and smells of summer in the garden at Sizergh, near Kendal. Find bright borders, delicate roses and a kitchen garden that provides for the café all year round. Take a walk through the apple orchard where you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers and 65 apple varieties growing in the summer sunshine.

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Spotting the water lilies in the sunken garden

Acorn Bank 

From roses and lilies to the orchard and special herb collection, the garden at Acorn Bank, near Penrith, is overflowing with colour and bursting with fragrance throughout summer. Head down to the Sunken Garden and see if you can spot the newts that call the pond their home.

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A family enjoying the sun on the lawn at Allan Bank in Grasmere

Allan Bank  

Take a gentle stroll along the garden path at Allan Bank and enjoy stunning views of Grasmere lake and fells. It’s the perfect place to spot red squirrels, listen to surrounding birds and relax on the lawn with a picnic. The wildflower meadow provides the perfect home to butterflies and bees.

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Man and woman enjoy reading their books on a bench in the garden at Wordsworth House

Wordsworth House and Garden 

Wordsworth House’s walled riverside garden was William Wordsworth’s secret childhood playground where he learned the love of nature that turned him into one of the world’s favourite poets. Today, it is filled with the colours, scents and sounds of the summer.

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A bright and beautiful Townend on a summer's day

Townend 

The cottage garden at Townend, near Windermere, may be small but it packs a punch when it bursts into colour in summer as roses bloom and shades of pinks, purples and yellows emerge. Head inside the traditional farmhouse to discover more about the fascinating Browne family who lived here.

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A viewing bench at Stagshaw Gardens

Stagshaw Gardens 

Just a short walk from Ambleside you’ll find Stagshaw Garden, an informal woodland garden offering a quiet haven of tranquillity. The rambling paths and unusual combination of shrubs, trees and plants give this garden an enchanted feel with views out to the lake and mountains beyond – a welcome sanctuary from the hustle and bustle below.

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