As spring weather finally arrives across the United Kingdom, days out to explore some of the nation's most beautiful gardens are firmly on the horizon. The excellent news for green-fingered enthusiasts and families alike is that experiencing the country's magnificent green spaces does not need to break the bank, with entry to numerous prestigious locations available for free or at significant discounts.
Historic Gardens at Reduced Prices
Among the standout offers is free entry to Henry VIII's former home, Hampton Court Palace gardens, on specific weekends throughout the summer. Normally requiring a £29 general entrance ticket, visitors can wander through the Great Fountain Garden, Pond Garden, and Privy Garden at no cost on designated dates. It is important to note that access to the maze or the children's Magic Garden still requires a purchased ticket.
Key Free Dates for Hampton Court Gardens
The free entry dates are as follows: 14 and 15 March, 9 and 10 May, 12 and 13 September, 10 and 11 October, 21 and 22 November, and 26 December, with only The Wilderness garden accessible on the latter date.
National Open Garden Scheme Savings
Elsewhere, substantial discounts are available on other regal gardens, including Winston Churchill's birthplace, Blenheim Palace. Through the National Open Garden Scheme, a family could save more than £80 on a trip to visit the Oxfordshire estate. Specifically, at the Blenheim Palace Gardens Open Day on 10 May, adults will pay just £10 per person instead of the normal £31 garden ticket price.
Designed to make gardens more accessible to the public, the National Open Garden Scheme has been operating since 1927. It includes both open days at major attractions and private visits 'by arrangement' to smaller, often hidden gardens across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Private Garden Visits by Appointment
In addition to the scheduled open days, hundreds of private garden owners have agreed to allow visits by appointment. These include the South London garden of the chair of the National Garden Scheme and numerous other small gardens around the country. According to the scheme's website, these wonderful, often hidden gems are really worth exploring, especially if you are keen to return to a garden you love, missed a public open day, or simply want to explore somewhere completely uncharted.
The National Garden Scheme opens more than 3,300 private gardens to the public each year, providing unique opportunities for discovery.
London and Scotland Open Gardens
London hosts its own open garden days on 6-7 June, offering access to garden squares normally reserved for residents in areas like Notting Hill, Kensington, and Chelsea. Additionally, some 'inns of court', where lawyers have studied and worked for centuries, will open their gardens. Roof gardens with panoramic views across the capital, such as those at 25 Cannon Street opposite St Paul's and Battersea Roof Garden atop the former power station, are also included, though entry to Battersea requires a ballot once dates are confirmed.
While the National Garden Scheme covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Scotland operates its own separate scheme featuring 457 gardens, ranging from castle grounds to small family plots. Examples include Kirkton Manor House, with its delightful three-acre informal country garden in the Manor Valley, and Teasses Gardens, known for beautifully designed drifts of planting and extensive views.
Inspiration from Chelsea Flower Show Winner
The UK boasts an abundance of beautiful gardens worth visiting. Last year, Chelsea Flower Show winner Tom Massey highlighted the world's most beautiful gardens, noting that he has been inspired by visits to spectacular green spaces globally. He encouraged gardening enthusiasts to make time to see beautiful gardens while on holiday, including UK spots like Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Born from the 2012 Olympic Games, this park serves as a benchmark for ecological urban design, utilizing swales, wetlands, and wild planting to manage stormwater naturally while increasing biodiversity through new woodlands and meadows. Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester also made his list, championing nature-led regeneration with planters filled with native and pollinator-friendly plants, trialling new approaches to green infrastructure in urban settings.
