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Grab your picnic hamper and make it a day trip.
From Kew Gardens to Chatsworth House, some of the best UK gardens are packed with brilliant blooms, woodland walks, head-turning plants, and historic sculptures. With more of us staying home this summer, why not add one of the country's greatest gardens to your must-visit list?
'There are hundreds of beautiful public gardens to visit across the UK. Now is a great time to get out and explore all the beauty these gardens have to offer and get some ideas for giving your own outside space a new look,' say the team at Gardening Express.
Looking for gardens to visit? Before you hop in the car for a day trip, remember to check current regulations, opening times, and vital information such as whether you need a mask or to pre-book.
Make the most of the summer and explore these breathtaking sights right here in the UK...
In the heart of Essex, this beautiful garden is a real hidden gem. Spanning across seven acres, you'll find water gardens, blossoming flowers, woodland areas, themed gardens and the house where Beth Chatto lived. One of our favourite features is the woodland garden, where there are shade-loving bulbs, perennials, tall oak trees and nothing but the sweet sound of birds tweeting above.
If you're heading to Cambridge, be sure to pay a visit to their breathtaking botanical gardens. You'll love the scented and winter gardens, which feature plants from all around the world. Head to the glasshouse where cacti and exotic plants steal the show.
Chatsworth House – home to the famous Chatsworth Flower Show — has a 105-acre garden with fountains, sculptures, an arboretum and a rock garden. If you're visiting, book a ticket to explore the house, too. It has been passed down through 16 generations of the Cavendish family, so you can expect plenty of art, history and incredible interiors. Don't forget a picnic to enjoy outside.
This world-famous site is definitely worth a visit if you're in the city. With over 50,000 plants, breathtaking displays on year-round (not to mention Christmas at Kew), a beautiful Victorian glasshouse and a stunning rose garden, it really does provide a wonderful day out.
READ MORE: Christmas at Kew 2020: dates, tickets, lights trail and new coronavirus measures
Constructed between Norman and Tudor times, Kenilworth Castle is steeped in history and character. The gardens, likewise, are simply breathtaking. Marvel at the vibrant colours, honey-hued architecture and Elizabethan gardens.
Discover the work of Barbara Hepworth at this stunning Cornish garden. Most of the bronze sculptures on display are ones Barbara placed herself. She first came to live in Cornwall with her husband in 1939, so this exhibit really is a nod to her life. Make sure not to miss out.
Over in Cumbria, Levens Hall retains many of its original features including the world's oldest topiary garden. With 10 acres of sprawling space, you'll never get bored.
Home to 20,000 plants from more than 80 countries, Tresco Abbey Gardens is a real head-turner. Established by Augustus Smith in the 19th century, it's home to plants from across the world's Mediterranean climate zones, including Brazil, New Zealand, Burma and South Africa. Don't forget your camera — you'll want to capture the plants here.
READ MORE: Where to buy plants online: the best online garden centres for home delivery
One of the most influential Arts and Crafts gardens in the UK, Hidcote Manor has beautiful hedges, rare trees, shrubs and herbaceous borders. It's situated in the rolling Cotswold hills, so make sure you explore the quaint traditional villages before you head home. A visit here will be leaving you longing to come back.
This National Trust property, situated in the heart of Kent, is a deeply pretty garden. Designed by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, this world-famous place is heralded for its beauty and diversity. We love the rose garden, herb garden, the lime walk, orchards and the purple border, too.
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