The UK's most beautiful gardens

Discover the most spectacular gardens in your area – and find out how you can save money on entry using your Boundless membership

From luscious lawns to landscaped borders, water fountains to woodland trails – the best UK gardens offer a wide range of horticultural features, making them a magical day out for people of all ages.

To help you find the best gardens near you, we’ve put together a list of our favourites in every region of the UK. Not only have we detailed what you can expect when you visit them, but we’ve also highlighted where you can save money on entry using your Boundless membership.

Best gardens in London & the South East

Getty ImagesKew Gardens

Founded in 1759, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (pictured above) is one of the UK’s most celebrated gardens, with a vast collection of flowers and plants spread across its 300-acre site in south-west London. Visitors can explore iconic buildings such as the Palm House* and the grade I-listed Temperate House, discover more than 11,000 trees in the Arboretum, and enjoy a range of special events.

*This feature is set to close for refurbishment in 2027

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Enjoy daffodils, crocuses, magnolias and Japanese cherry trees

Summer: Visit the Rose Garden and hear the wildflower meadows buzz with insects

Autumn: The wooded areas transform into a stunning tapestry of browns and golds

Winter: Don’t miss the ever-popular Christmas at Kew

Boundless offer

All members get unlimited access to Kew Gardens for themselves and one child per visit.

Wakehurst

The sister attraction to Kew, this wild botanic garden in Sussex offers 500 acres of diverse landscapes, from meadows and valleys to prairies and glades. Discover the Millennium Seed Bank, where vital work is carried out to combat biodiversity loss, visit the Mansion – built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and recently restored – and don’t miss the world-class events held at Wakehurst throughout the year.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Carpets of bluebells can be seen in Bethlehem Wood
Summer: The American Prairie and Walled Gardens burst into colour
Autumn: Spot unusual fungi on a woodland walk
Winter: Be dazzled by the spectacular Glow Wild light festival

Boundless offer: All members get unlimited access to Wakehurst for themselves and up to five children per visit. An additional adult can also gain entry for half the usual price.

RHS Garden Wisley

Located in Surrey, the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship attraction is packed with things to see and do. As well as boasting one of the largest plant collections in the world – spread out across a huge range of gardens – RHS Garden Wisley is home to orchards, meadows, lakes and terraces. Kids will love playing in the Nature Garden – and at the end of the day, be sure to pick up a pot or two in the garden centre.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: See stunning bulb displays and flowers blossoming in the Alpine Meadow

Summer: The mixed borders are at their peak; the Exotic Garden comes alive

Autumn: Maples and acers glow with autumn colour; apples are seen in the orchard

Winter: Experience the beloved Winter Walk, a feast for the senses

Boundless offer: Join the Farnborough and Guildford Boundless Group for their annual visit to RHS Garden Wisley, and you can gain entry for yourself and one additional person for £2 each.

Best gardens in the South West & Wales

Getty ImagesGlendurgan Garden

The creators of Glendurgan Garden, the Quakers Alfred and Sarah Fox, described this Cornish attraction (pictured above) as “a small piece of heaven on Earth”, and we’re inclined to agree. Now cared for by the National Trust, it’s a feast for the senses, with giant rhubarb plants, vibrant flowers and wildlife-rich ponds spread across its three valleys. While you’re there, be sure to try out the famous hedge maze, which has been perplexing visitors for 200 years.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Witness spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas, bluebells and blossom trees

Summer: The lower valley feels jungle-like; wildlife is active across the garden

Autumn: The famed tulip tree and other deciduous trees turn a gold colour

Winter: Camellias begin to flower; vistas are clearer as foliage becomes less dense

Boundless offer: Members save 10% every time they purchase a National Trust gift card via Daily Discounts, which can be used for admission, to pay for goods at National Trust shops and cafés, and when buying National Trust membership.

RHS Garden Rosemoor

Gifted to the Royal Horticultural Society by Lady Anne Berry in 1988, Rosemoor is separated into distinctive garden ‘rooms’, spread across 65 acres. Highlights include The Queen Mother’s Rose Garden, where more than 250 different varieties fill the air with beautiful scent; the sizzling Hot Garden, home to a dazzling array of red, orange and yellow plants; and the somewhat more serene Cool Garden with its iconic, teardrop-shaped pond.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Spring bulbs can be seen across borders and meadows

Summer: The Rose Garden is at its most fragrant; meadows hum with activity

Autumn: Dahlias, asters and nerines add colour to borders

Winter: Dogwood and willow can be seen in the Winter Garden

Boundless offer: Members can get up to 20% off an RHS Garden Rosemoor visit for two when booking through Virgin Experience Days.

Bodnant Garden

Designed in the late 19th century by Victorian industrialist Henry Davis Pochin, Bodnant Garden is now cared for by the National Trust and attracts thousands of visitors each year. From its world-famous Laburnum Arch, through National Collections of magnolias and rhododendrons, to Wales’s largest collection of UK Champion Trees, there’s so much here to inspire and enchant.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Rhododendron and azalea displays peak; the Laburnum Arch turns golden

Summer: Italianate Terraces are at their most stunning; wildflower meadows bloom

Autumn: Acers, cherry trees, dahlias and hydrangeas add breathtaking colour

Winter: The Winter Garden comes into its own

Boundless offer: Members save 10% every time they purchase a National Trust gift card via Daily Discounts, which can be used for admission, to pay for goods at National Trust shops and cafés, and when buying National Trust membership.

Best gardens in the Midlands & the East

Pam Fray/Wikimedia CommonsAudley End, House and Gardens

Not only does this English Heritage location boast one of the finest stately homes in the country – built by Thomas Howard in the early 17th century – it’s also blessed with acres of glorious grounds. Explore the idyllic gardens designed by ‘Capability’ Brown, discover the photogenic garden buildings, including Robert Adam’s bridge over the River Cam, and admire the parterre (pictured above), which brings year-round colour to the home’s periphery.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Look for blossom trees, and seasonal flowers sprouting in the parterre

Summer: The Rose Garden is at its most colourful and fragrant

Autumn: It’s harvest season in the Kitchen Garden

Winter: Bare trees open up impressive views across the parkland

Boundless offer: All members get free access to the National Art Pass provided by Art Fun, which gets you entry to over 200 museums, galleries and historic houses – including Audley End – 50% off entry to major exhibitions, and other great benefits.

Birdland Park and Gardens

If you love horticultural and wildlife, then there’s no better place to indulge your twin passions than this Bourton-on-the-Water attraction. Nestled on the banks of the River Windrush, Birdland Park and Gardens is a nine-acre oasis combining idyllic woodland with over 130 winged species – from parrots and pheasants to owls and storks. Bring a picnic and see how many you can spot.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: With breeding season starting, look out for chicks and nesting behaviour

Summer: The gardens feel more lush; parrots and flamingoes look more vibrant

Autumn: River paths become golden and more leafy

Winter: Look out for cold-adapted birds such as snowy owls and penguins

Boundless offer: Stay at the nearby Cotswold Cottages, owned by Boundless, and you’ll save up to 20% on your booking (plus an extra 10% during our Spring into Summer sale), as well as gaining free entry to the Cotswold Motoring Museum.

Best gardens in the North

Getty ImagesLyme

Cared for by the National Trust, Lyme’s gardens, moorland and deer park are picture perfect at any time of the year – so it’s no wonder this Cheshire attraction (pictured above) was chosen as the location for Mr Darcy’s Pemberley estate in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Whether you prefer to spend your time admiring the exquisitely cultivated borders, exploring the woodland trails or enjoying the rugged views across the Pennines, you’re in for a treat.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Daffodils emerge; bluebells and wild garlic can be seen in sheltered areas

Summer: The Italian Garden blossoms with colour; woodlands teem with birdlife

Autumn: Trees across the parkland present a rich autumnal tapestry

Winter: Frost and snow transform the deer park into a stunning wintry landscape

Boundless offer: Members save 10% every time they purchase a National Trust gift card when purchasing through Daily Discounts, which can be used for admission, to pay for goods at National Trust shops and cafés, and when buying National Trust membership.

Nostell

There’s so much to see and do at this West Yorkshire attraction, you’d be hard-pushed to cram it all into one day. The 18th-century National Trust country house – formerly a priory – boasts some of the most vibrant gardens in the north of England, including a Rose Garden, a Kitchen Garden and a Menagerie Garden. With 300 acres of parkland, cycle trails and an outdoor play area, it’s a great day out for the whole family.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Look out for daffodils, hyacinths, azaleas and magnolias

Summer: The Rose Garden adds scent and colour; lawns are ideal for picnics

Autumn: Trees around the lakes turn gold and copper; reflections accentuate colour

Winter: Bare trees open up views across the grounds

Boundless offers: All Boundless Plus members get free access to the National Art Pass, which gets you entry to over 200 museums, galleries and historic houses – including Nostell – 50% off entry to major exhibitions, and other great benefits.

Members save 10% every time they purchase a National Trust gift card through Daily Discounts, which can be used for admission, to pay for goods at National Trust shops and cafés, and when buying National Trust membership.

Best gardens in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Getty ImagesInverewe

Situated on the banks of a Scottish loch, Inverewe (pictured above) is the result of an extraordinary vision. When Osgood Mackenzie purchased a barren, rocky peninsula in 1862, he set about transforming it with exotic plants he’d sourced from across the globe – a mission continued by his daughter, Mairi Sawyer, upon his death in 1922. Now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, this special garden is beloved by horticulturalists and families alike.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Magnolias and camellias blossom, while coastal views look crisp

Summer: Subtropical plants come into their own; the Walled Garden thrives

Autumn: Changing leaves and sprouting berries add colour and texture

Winter: Frost provides a breathtaking contrast to the lush green foliage

Boundless offer: Boundless Plus members get unlimited access to all National Trust for Scotland places, along with admission for one additional adult and up to six children per visit, and a free parking pass.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

The official residence of the British royal family when visiting Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Castle is dripping with history and heritage – and its grounds are every bit as spectacular. Explore the 18th-century Kitchen Garden, now restored to its former glory, take a stroll along the peaceful Yew Tree Walk, and enjoy a moment of contemplation at the Lake and Pinetum, famed for its giant sequoia trees.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring: Pink and white blossom takes the breath away; bulb displays can be seen

Summer: The Walled Garden hits its peak; lawns and hedges look at their best

Autumn: Fruit can be seen in ornamental areas; late perennials appear

Winter: Look out for winter-flowering plants such as hellebores and witch hazel

Boundless offer: Boundless Plus members get unlimited access to all sites in the Historic Royal Palaces portfolio, including Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, for themselves plus one additional adult and one additional child per visit.