
Discover more in the Lake District
Home of Beatrix Potter, dramatic landscapes and fascinating history.
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 of our gardens are now closed for the winter, but you can get some inspiration and start planning your next visit here.
Feel inspired with a stroll through the gardens at Sizergh and find out what you’re likely to see growing here when you visit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Head to the Langdales and discover rare trees and shrubs from around the world at High Close Estate and Arboretum.
Hot on the heels of snowdrops and crocuses, blossom is often one of the first spring flower varieties to arrive, heralding the start of a new season. From wild blackthorn blossom along farmers' hedgerows to carefully cultivated cherry blossom in historic gardens, keep an eye out for these bright and delicate small flowers everywhere you go.
The bright pink and almond scented flowers of the Japanese Apricot can be found in the Rock Garden in March, followed by the Magnolia in the South Garden in April. Look out for the Japanese cherry at the entrance to the Stumpery adorned with fragrant white cup-shaped flowers, and the pale pink flowers of Prunus Kojo-no-mai on the Spring Walk. Trained pears will also be blossom on the Fruit Wall in April. In May, as you enter the Stumpery, you can’t miss the spectacular Hawthorn covered in white flowers. Later in the month the orchard will be filled with clouds of pink & white apple blossom, followed in June by the blossom of the Dwarf Indian Horse Chestnut near the Herbaceous Border.
Fluffy pink and white apple blossom decorates the walled garden, usually in May and rarely before. Local apple varieties adorn the orchard, such as Keswick Codlings, Carlisle Codlings and Greenups Pippins. Underneath, wild primroses and beautifully fluffy common bistort flower in the beds bloom, later to be joined by fiery red and orange tulips.
Out on the estate, blackthorn blossom is the first to bloom in April, later joined by hawthorn in May and elderflower in June. The subtle white blossom of three huge cherry trees overhangs the Sunken Garden from the woodland, and apple blossom arrives in the orchard in early May. The huge Blakeney Red pear tree was donated by cider makers Babycham, and there’s also a baby apple tree of an endangered species (the niedswetzkyana). It’s ornamental; the blossom is a deep pink and the fruit of the apple itself has red flesh.
Feel inspired with a whole host of gardens to visit across the north of England
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.
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 spring.
Enjoy Yorkshire's spring gardens and parks, from the landscaped views at Fountains Abbey, to the gardens within a garden at Wentworth Castle Gardens and newly designed areas, as seen at Beningbrough.
Discover some of the best gardens in the North East as they burst into bloom this spring. Look for bright colourful borders, carpets of flowers and hidden spaces to relax.
Home of Beatrix Potter, dramatic landscapes and fascinating history.