The Vegetable Garden in summer at Hill Top, Cumbria, home of Beatrix Potter — The Vegetable Garden in summer at Hill Top, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

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.

As summer inches closer, soak up the colour and scent of the herbaceous border at Sizergh, see what's growing in the vegetable patch at Hill Top or explore the rose garden at Wordsworth House.

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.

Family in the garden at Sizergh with a pushchair, 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.

Visitors in the distance looking into the pond at Acorn Bank. Yellow and red verbascum and poppies are in the border in the foreground.

Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead

Discover Beatrix Potter's farmhouse garden, restored to how it was in her time and spot features which appear in some of her little white books.

Wordsworth House & Garden, Cockermouth

Explore this bright and beautiful walled riverside garden which was once William Wordsworth’s secret childhood playground. Today, it's filled with the colours, scents and sounds of summer.

Two visitors wearing sun hats are sat reading books in the sunny garden at Wordsworth House. Brightly coloured flowers are in bloom and the back of the house is visible.

Allan Bank, Grasmere

Wander up from Grasmere village to see what's growing in the vegetable garden. Enjoy sweeping views from the formal lawns out across the lake to the fells beyond and keep an eye out for red squirrels in the woodland.

A person standing outside framed in the entrance to a stone tunnel

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.

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

Gardens and parks 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, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms at this time of year.

Colourful rhododendrons in the garden in June at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

From the glorious garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms throughout summer.

Visitors walking through the garden in summer at Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire

Gardens and parks in Yorkshire

Enjoy Yorkshire's summer 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.

Visitors in the Walled Garden at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, North Yorkshire

Top Gardens in the North East

Discover the vibrant beauty of summer in the North East’s finest gardens. From blooming borders to peaceful walled retreats, explore botanical gems across the region. Whether you're visiting with family, your dog, or enjoying a solo stroll, there’s a garden waiting to inspire you this season.