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Sizergh Castle in the snow, viewed through the trees from the driveway
Sizergh Castle in the snow | © National Trust Images/Suzanne Ingham

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. Many gardens are now closed for the winter, but you can plan your next visit here.

Top gardens in the Lake District

Soak up the colour and scent of the gardens at Sizergh, see what's growing in the vegetable patch at Hill Top or explore the rose garden at Wordsworth House.

Children playing in the garden at Sizergh, Cumbria
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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.

Snowdrops emerging underneath the apple trees in the orchard at Acorn Bank
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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.

Dark red dahlias in the garden at Hill Top
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The garden at 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.

A row of bare apple trees in the garden at Wordsworth House, Cumbria in late November.
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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 women walking a dog in the garden at Allan Bank in Grasmere
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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.

View from the ground up to the towering canopy of several tall fir trees, some with square labels on their trunks
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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.

Visitors walking up a steep path at Sticklebarn and the Langdales, Lake District
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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.

Gardens further afield

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

Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' growing in the Winter Garden at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

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 colour and has an abundance of horticultural delights for garden-lovers to enjoy, even in winter.

Frosty morning in the garden at Nostell with fountain and statue in the foreground

Gardens and parks in Yorkshire 

Enjoy Yorkshire's late autumn gardens and parks, from the landscaped views at Fountains Abbey, to the borders and pathways at Beningbrough Hall and Nostell.

Gardens in the North East

Gardens in the North East 

Soak up the sights and sounds of autumn as gardens around the North East put on their final show. See the leaves change colour in the Avenue at Gibside, explore the changing colours in Wallington’s walled garden or take in the sights and views at Cragside’s Formal Garden.

A child reaches up to touch one of several apples laid out on a bench outside

Discover more in the Lake District

Home of Beatrix Potter, dramatic landscapes and fascinating history.