Glorious gardens are well worth visiting
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Still short of things to do during the rest of the summer holidays? Why not visit some of our most glorious gardens, which have reopened to the public.
They all detail the Covid-19 safety measures they’ve put in place on their websites. Most require pre-booking tickets (check websites for specific details) and all have regulated social distancing – take a mask to be on the safe side too.
Arley Hall and Gardens, Cheshire (arleyhallandgardens.com)
Arley Hall and its glorious gardens have provided the setting for some familiar TV series, including Peaky Blinders, Antiques Roadshow and Great British Garden Revival. Head for the herbaceous border, its best known feature, which boasts some spectacular planting, then wander through the pleached lime avenue of trees and lose yourself within The Grove. There are many different areas within its eight acres of formal gardens, as well as an arboretum and woodland walk. The hall remains closed.
Abbotsford Gardens, Roxburghshire, Scotland (scottsabbotsford.com)
Abbotsford was Sir Walter Scott’s home, and his imagination extended to the outdoors with the creation of these beautiful formal Regency gardens. Highlights include the kitchen garden, the third of his interconnecting outdoor ‘rooms’, which house a mix of flowering and scented plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables.
The gardens are currently open Wednesday to Sunday, with hopes to reopen the historic house in August. Check the website for updates.
Montalto Estate, Co Down, Northern Ireland (montaltoestate.com)
The trails and gardens within this magical estate have now re-opened, so visitors can explore a wealth of features – including the cutting garden made up of annuals, biennials, perennials and shrubs, the formal garden with its defined geometric shapes and stunning views of Montalto Lake and boathouse, and the alpine garden, with its impressive collections of plants.
The trails and gardens are currently open Wednesday to Sunday but all visitors must pre-book tickets online. Access to some gardens may be restricted due to events.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall (heligan.com)
With some 200 acres of garden and estate, you simply can’t do all of Heligan in one visit – so if you’ve only got a day, seek out summer highlights. An incredible 15 acres of wildflower meadow has been planted, featuring cornflowers, corn chamomile, poppies and corn marigolds, to create a stunning visual backdrop, perfect for butterflies and bees.
Families are invited to pick up a Heligan Summer booklet from the ticket office before setting off. Pre-booking essential for timed tickets.
Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Shropshire (wollertonoldhallgarden.com)
Set around a 16th-century hall (not currently open to the public), Wollerton Old Hall incorporates a formal modern garden on an old site covering four acres. Its garden rooms are beautifully planted with stunning perennials and offer some terrific design ideas. The garden is famous for its salvias, clematis and roses and the clever use of colour, form and scale. The main perennial border in late summer is still awash with colour, so don’t miss it.
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire (english-heritage.org.uk)
Spectacularly restored to their full Victorian splendour, the 15 acres of gardens at Brodsworth are home to a collection of grand gardens in miniature, filled with colourful seasonal plantings and displays.
Pre-booking essential for timed tickets. House and play area remain closed. A family-friendly summer explorer quest is taking place throughout summer.
