Our top winter gardens

Frost sparkles in the morning sunlight, coating the trees, shrubs and flowers with a magical layer of white. Holly berries are all around, telling us that it’s finally winter. Get your walking boots on and explore a place made new by winter's spell. Find a garden that's local to you and enjoy the beauty that the season brings.

Visiting this winter 

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside sites remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

More information on what’s open

We’re still working hard to keep our gardens looking their best. But with fewer staff and volunteers to help out, things may look a little different on your visit. Please bear with us as we adjust to these challenging times.

Winter gardens near me
The Winter Walk in February at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire

Winter gardens in the East of England 

There are plenty of gardens to visit this winter in the East of England right on your doorstep. Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland and check out the flowers in bloom for the season. Explore the outdoors on a crisp, refreshing day and see what gardens there are near you to make new memories this winter.

Gardens near you
Visitors in the garden in January at Charlecote Park, Warwickshire

Winter gardens in the Midlands 

Wind down with a visit to a local winter garden in the Midlands. Wrap up warm and have a look at what gardeners are up to this time of year. Winter days sprinkle our gardens with frost that glistens in the sunlight – explore a garden in the Midlands for a burst of energy this winter.

Enjoy a garden in the winter
Visitors walking in the Winter Garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Winter gardens in the North 

Find a garden near you in the North to make the most of the flowers that bloom during the winter. There’s plenty to see, like snowdrops carpeting the ground and shrubs full of berries. Explore magical landscape gardens, carpets of white snowdrops and sweeping views in winter gardens in the North.

Explore spellbinding gardens
Sunset in the world-class garden at Mount Stewart, County Down

Winter gardens in Northern Ireland 

Northern Ireland is home to some beautiful gardens, and in winter they’re even more special. See the ground covered in frost and take a look at some unique winter-flowering plant varieties at a garden that's just around the corner.

Plan a visit to a winter garden
A frosty bridge at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

Winter gardens in the South East and London 

Discover a winter garden on your doorstep in the South East and London. See winter colours bursting through in the flowerbeds and find inspiration to keep your own garden flourishing throughout the colder months. There are lots of peaceful gardens to find your place of calm in the South East and London.

Discover wintery gardens in the South East
Snowdrops at Stourhead, Wiltshire

Winter gardens in the South West 

The South West is great for finding a nearby garden that suits you all year round, including during the winter. It’s also home to the flower count which happens annually on Valentine’s Day.

Find your nearest winter garden

Winter plants to see in the UK

Winter plants UK

Snowdrops 

Snowdrops are hardy little plants, surviving even the lowest of winter temperatures. They flower between January and March, and can be a welcome sight in winter gardens. Find out more about the folklore behind these snowy plants and where you can see them at places we care for.

National trust gardens near me

Holly 

Holly is an iconic winter plant, associated with traditional winter celebrations. It's also an important source of food and shelter to many birds and animals. Discover some facts about this evergreen plant, including its Pagan roots and gilded history.

National trust gardens

Mistletoe 

There's more to mistletoe than meets the eye – it even features in Greek mythology. Ever wondered what the tradition of kissing under mistletoe's all about? Learn more about its history, nature facts about mistletoe and places we care for where you can see mistletoe.

What the gardeners are up to...

Winter is a time for pruning, planting, tree work, mulching, and getting excited about new seed catalogues as planning takes place for the coming year. 

Annual rose prunings happen at places like Mottisfont. If you visit the walled gardens in winter you'll see gardeners out in all weathers tackling this task. An intense period of work helps places to prepare for the spectacular displays in early summer.

Homemade compost is spread throughout the rose gardens and kitchen gardens. This will feed the soil, help with water retention, reduce outbreaks of disease and increase the natural production of beneficial fungi.

Gardening tips for the winter

Preparing your garden for the frostier season can be made easier with the right preparation. Megan Pearson, gardener at Dunham Massey, shares her thoughts:

  • In winter, trees can be planted and most shrubs and trees can be pruned to help define shape and height. 
  • Mulching beds and borders around plants is a productive early winter task to help insulate the soil and to improve the condition of the soil.
  • Don’t attempt to be too tidy in the garden in winter – there may be wildlife hibernating in piles of leaves.
  • If you have a greenhouse, seeds can be started off in trays in late winter/early spring to start initial growth ready for planting out in the coming seasons.
Robin at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire

Give back to nature 

This year, more than ever before, nature has been our source of comfort. But climate change is accelerating the decline of these green spaces. Nature gives us so much, donate today and help us protect these precious places and the wildlife that live there.

Donate now