The 25 Best English Gardens to Visit—And Recreate at Home

Sissinghurt Castle in Kent has a very long history, as the 450-acre estate was once a prison. However, in the 1930s the garden was lovingly restored into what we see today. When you visit, take in the vegetable gardens, enjoy the wonderfully preserved interiors, and wander through the lush fields.

In Gloucester, Hidcote Manor has a Grade I listed garden, making it the first garden-only property cared for by the UK’s National Trust. With an Arts and Crafts design style, the 10.5 acre land was cared for by designer Lawrence Johnston for nearly thirty years, beginning in 1907.

Located in the heart of Munich, Germany, the English Garden is the city’s largest park. Inside, you can find marvels of architecture, take a dip into the creek that flows through it, or stop at one of its many beer gardens. You can even find surfers there, picking up waves at the mouth of the Eisbach river.

With a more of a manicured feel, the Westbury Court gardens are considered the only Dutch-style water garden in the United Kingdom. Deep in Gloucester, this area dates all the way back to the 1700s, where most of the gardening we see today was initially laid out.

In Wiltshire, England, this landscape garden has existed for more than three hundred years. It features more than 2500 acres of gardens, woods, and farmlands that are managed to maintain wildlife. You can also visit the library on the premises, and take in the antique furniture and paintings within Stourhead House.

In Woodside, California, the Filoli Gardens were a joint project between gardener Louis Mariconi and horticulturist Bella Worn. With 16 acres to play with, the premises show off stunning tulips, a walled garden, a lily pond, and so much else worth visiting. The garden has blooms all year round, so there’s never a bad time to go.

The Arundel Castle has existed for more than 1000 years in West Sussex. However, the gardens were overhauled and re-done over the past twenty years, predominantly by Head Gardener Martin Duncan, who has won several awards for his work. Famed for their tulip gardens, the stewards of Arundel Castle have planed over a million bulbs across the 38 acre property in the past twelve years.

Located on the edge of Lake Como, this converted villa features some of the most stunning gardens in Italy. With 25 acres of land, the gardens have been awarded as one of the Greatest Italian Gardens. Amid blooms, you can also find statues and outdoor architecture that’s worth exploring.

Windsor Castle, arguably one of the most famous castles in England, also has one of the most extensive gardens. In fact, it has three distinct gardens on the property: The Jubilee Garden, the Moat Garden, and the East Terrace Garden. After you finish viewing the elaborate state rooms within the castle’s walls, take a gander through the grounds that date back hundreds of years.

As part of the UK’s Royal Horticultural Society, the RHS, the Wisley Garden is one of the most extensive plant collections in the world. Throughout the year, they have unbelievable experienced worth checking out, including their orchid house, daffodil fields, and so much more.

The Gardens of Heligan were once vibrant in the 1700s, but in the wake of World War I, they fell into disrepair. It wasn’t until the 1990s, when the gardens were barely even a memory, that they were re-discovered and restored to their formal glory. Now, over 200 acres have been converted back into stunning gardens, becoming a home to blooms, beavers, and so much more.

In Charleston, South Carolina, Middleton Place is America’s oldest landscaped garden, and is considered a historic landmark. A mix between French and English styles, these gardens date back to the 1700s. Today, you can visit the extensive grounds, take in the beautiful nature, dine at their restaurant, or even get married.

The Royal Pavilion gardens underwent a major restoration in the 1800s by architect John Nash. However, after becoming overgrown, it was once again the subject of interest in the 1980s, when head gardeners attempted to follow John Nash’s original design and restore it again. Now, it’s a haven for wildlife and serves as one of the most important Brighton gardens.

In Miami, Florida, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has a long history and houses hundreds of species of plants and trees. This includes several endangered tropical trees, which in previous generations were razed. When you visit the gardens, you can also visit the main house, which was built with inspiration from Italian villas in mind.

In North West England, Levens Hall was originally built in the 1200s. It’s home to the oldest topiary gardens in the world, spanning over 9000 acres. The lovingly carved trees and plants make it an unmissable locale. The process of trimming and shaping across the gardens is an elaborate six-month task for the gardeners at Levens Hall.

On the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales, the Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens are some of the most spectacular. With 200 acres of rolling hills, the gardens are home to Grade II cottages, and an estate with a nearly thousand-year history. When you visit, be sure to check out the waterfalls on the River Cadnant.

Just north of Naples, Italy, the Royal Palace of Caserta was initially constructed in the 18th century for the King of Naples, Charles VII. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the nearly 300 acres of gardens feature several fountains, and a botanical garden dubbed the «English Garden.»

When you visit this Grade I palace in the UK, you might remember it from episodes of Bridgerton. With 60 acres of gardens within over 750 acres of land, there is so much to take in. In the Hampton Court Palace parklands, you might even be able to spot deer that are descended from Henry the VIII’s original herd.

While the Alnwick Garden might appear to have a centuries-old charm, in fact it’s only existed since the early 2000s. Created by the Duchess of Northumberland, today the Alnwick Garden is home to the largest Japanese Cherry orchard in the world, and has the largest collection of European plants in the United Kingdom.

Within Duke University in North Carolina, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens were first envisioned in the late 1930s. With 55 acres of botanicals, this garden features a stunning rose garden, decades-old terraces, and native plants that now have a sanctuary. In the spring of 2026 they plan to open expand even further with their Garden Gateway project.