Spring in the garden at Mottisfont

The pond and fountain in the walled gardens of Mottisfont, Hampshire in April

Our gardens burst to life in spring, from sprouting bulbs to newly hatched ducklings and cygnets on the river. Discover delightful displays of blossom and greenery as you stroll through our grounds and riverside pathways.

We've planted masses of mixed, naturalising bulbs under ancient trees, in the winter garden, the walled gardens, and in the cherry orchard. These newly planted bulbs include narcissi, fritalaria, leucojium, cyclamen and crocus.

Maud Russell’s head gardener, Mr Buckle, started the ‘bulk planting’ of single plant variety which has since been adopted by subsequent head gardeners.

Our regular planting of tulips in the parterre, the short lime walk, and the central walled garden provide the finale of our bulb showcase, leading into early-flowering roses. Depending on the weather conditions, our rose collection may start blooming in May, ahead of their main flowering season in June.

Developing a new garden

Following a fundraising appeal, we’re currently developing the third walled garden, known as the ‘frameyard’. Soft landscaping works are planned to finish in early-mid spring, after which we'll begin planting - the final stage before we fully open this new garden. You're welcome to come and take a look as we work, and find out more about the project.

A moodboard of flowers, herbs and garden structures, inspiration for the new garden at Mottisfont, Hampshire

Creating our Kitchen Garden 

Thanks to money raised through the Walled Garden Appeal, we are creating a new Kitchen Garden in the area formerly known as the 'Frameyard'. We're working on the garden at the moment, to be unveiled in autumn: you can see the work in progress when you visit. The new design reflects both Mottisfont’s medieval history and the garden's productive past.

Find out more about this exciting project

Bluebells on the wider estate

Out on the wider estate, our ancient woodlands put on a wildflower show for spring. Species such as lady's smock (also known as the cuckoo flower), celandines and bluebells begin to cover the meadows and woodland floor. 

Our estate walk is the best way to see this annual flowering.

Bluebells in bloom on a woodland floor, in the wider estate of Mottisfont, Hampshire
Walking trail

Mottisfont estate walk 

From mid-April and into May, our woodlands offer one of Britain's most beloved natural sights: floods of bluebells in flower. Take our 6 mile estate walk to spot pretty periwinkle patches decorating the woodland floor, particularly at the start of the walk in Spearywell, and later in Queensmeadow and Great Copse. A protected species in the UK, the common bluebell is a fragile flower; please stick to the defined footpaths while you walk, and leave the flowers in their natural environment, for everyone to enjoy.

Discover our bluebell displays