Skip to content

Where to see Humphry Repton landscapes

The north front of Antony House, Cornwall
The north front of Antony House, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Discover the dramatic landscapes created by Humphry Repton, one of Britain’s best-loved landscape designers. Repton helped shape landscapes where the barriers between gardens and parks were broken down; estates that combine the polished look of ‘Capability’ Brown with the more naturalistic and dramatic landscapes of the Picturesque Movement. Find out the National Trust places you can go to see his work.

Repton's designs and Red Books

The National Trust looks after many parks and gardens influenced by Repton including Sheringham Park, Norfolk, which he described as his ‘most favourite work’.

Repton was a skilled watercolour painter and each time he was commissioned to design a landscape he would produce an ingenious 'Red Book', a sketchbook to illustrate his proposal.

Here are some of the best places to explore Repton’s work.

Antony, Cornwall
Completed in 1792, Antony is one of several Repton-designed sites on the Tamar in Cornwall. It's still home to the Carew Pole family, who commissioned Repton to landscape the grounds. When you visit, look out for the woodland planting in particular – Repton's advice was followed closely and you can still see the results today.More about Antony
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
Though the house and garden at Ashridge are privately owned, you can still explore a large area of the wider park, which is cared for by the National Trust. Repton’s 1813 design for the Ashridge Estate had to complement the magnificent Palace of Ashridge House and earlier work by ‘Capability’ Brown. In what would be one of his final designs, Repton proposed 15 different kinds of garden, including a winter garden, Monk’s garden, rosary and American garden.More about Ashridge Estate
Attingham Park, Shropshire
Explore Attingham Park to see one of the most historically important landscapes in Britain. When the 2nd Lord Berwick inherited Attingham, he hired Repton to enhance the parkland. Repton's aim was to create a natural landscape around the mansion with views of the Shropshire Hills and the Wrekin. Unfortunately, after Repton's work was finished, the family went bankrupt. No further work to the parkland followed and therefore Repton's vision remains unaltered by new additions or other designers.More about Attingham Park
The house and parkland at Uppark, West Sussex, with lush trees in the foreground.
The house and parkland at Uppark | © National Trust Images/David Sellman
Hatchlands Park, Surrey
Repton produced his plans for Hatchlands Park in Guildford in 1800. They included the introduction of pleasure grounds, planting to screen the road and changes to the approach road. When you visit, you'll experience the layout of the garden and the park as Repton intended, as it remains true to his original design.More about Hatchlands Park
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
In 1799, Repton completed a commission at Plas Newydd, home of the Marquess of Anglesey, but only the text of the Red Book survives. Explore the grounds to see his ideas for the drive and trees between the stables and the house. He also suggested the construction of a greenhouse-come-pavilion, a hexagonal structure with removable sides. A sketch of this was reproduced in his treatise Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening (1803).More about Plas Newydd
A visitor and their dog walk on a path in the distance between some woodland and a fenced field at Plas Newydd, Anglesey, North Wales
Dog walking around Plas Newydd | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Sheringham Park, Norfolk
Discover how Repton used the rolling landscape of the park to frame views of the north Norfolk coastline. Successive generations of the Upcher family used his 1812 design as a blueprint to manage and enhance the estate. The most recent major Repton intervention – the temple – was built in 1975. The Sheringham Red Book remains key to how we manage and care for the park to this day.More about Sheringham Park
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
The owners of the Wimpole Estate employed a succession of landscape gardeners to ‘improve’ their estate including Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Repton presented his Red Book for Earl Harwicke in 1801 in which he recommended removing trees to reveal the beauty of the house and to make the estate appear more wooded. Discover the results of his designs when you visit.More about Wimpole
Trees display their autumn colour by the lake at Sheffield Park and Garden

Explore gardens and parklands

We care for more than 200 gardens and parks. From kitchen gardens full of fruit and veg to historic parkland, there’s something for everyone.

You might also be interested in

The Water Garden at Lyveden New Bield, Peterborough, Northamptonshire.
Article
Article

What is the picturesque? 

Find out more about the picturesque aesthetic style and how it became a fashionable choice for wealthy estates in the 18th century. Discover more about the people who influenced the movement.

The Palladian Bridge at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, spanning the Octagon Lake which is created to look like a river. The arches of the bridge are reflected in the water with a backdrop of green trees. It is one of only four Palladian Bridges in the world and the only one which allowed a carriage to be driven over.
Article
Article

How has the English landscape garden developed? 

The history of the English landscape garden is infused with political meaning. Learn the history and political stories behind this garden style characterised by structured informality.

Fallow deer grazing in the parkland in July at Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Article
Article

Top parklands to explore 

Discover wildlife, woods and wide open spaces when you visit one of these large parklands. Walk, cycle, picnic, play or simply relax in nature.   

A man stands on a bridge in the distance surrounded by trees and bushes clothed in autumn colours
Article
Article

Famous gardens 

We care for hundreds of historic gardens, encompassing more than 500 years of history and a range of garden styles and fashions. Learn about the most famous and significant gardens you can visit.

View through the Apostle garden to the dovecote at Lytes Cary Manor, Somerset
Article
Article

Arts and Crafts gardens to visit 

The Arts and Crafts movement also influenced garden design, often using the idea of garden 'rooms' to bring the home outdoors. Discover the Arts and Crafts gardens in our care.

Visitors being photographed next to flowering Rhododendron at Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales
Article
Article

Secret gardens to explore 

Find out which of the gardens we care for have their own 'secret' gardens hidden within them. Search for a bear's hut and hunt for statues as you explore.

Visitors walking in the garden at Plas Newydd, Anglesey, Wales
Article
Article

Best gardens by the sea 

Take in the sea air at the best coastal gardens we care for and discover the unusual plants and landscaping styles that are typical of this microclimate.