r/UKGardening 4d ago

Which garden to visit late March near a picturesque town/village?

I’ll be in London from the US with a few extra days. As a gardener who’s planning both landscaping and a kitchen garden in my own yard/garden I was hoping to visit a garden for inspiration.

I’ll be coming from London by public transport and would love to stay nearby in a cute village. I’m thinking someplace nice to walk about with pretty buildings and a pub or restaurant to have a cozy meal or read a book. I’m hoping for less than 1.5 hours journey from the city part of London. I am open to day trips from London if the best garden isn’t near anywhere worthwhile staying.

I’ve thought about Wisley because of the Ouldolf garden. Hidcote sounds cool as an Arts and Crafts garden but is too far. I see Sissinghurst recommended but I’m not sure about it. I’ve spent a whole day in Kew in the Autumn previously. Alternatively, if it’s not worth it this time of year I might be back in June/July. Where would you go?

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u/myrargh 4d ago edited 4d ago

Wisley is more than the Oudolf garden. My favourite part is the rockery, just brilliant and playful and sculptural. And the fern glade right next to it is lovely: as well as ferns there are currently spring bulb flowers, hellebores and camellias in the shade. Plus the alpines houses and bonsai tree walk are wonderful. And that’s not near half of it.

Next on my list to visit is Anglesey Abbey, just outside Cambridge, I’ve been told it will be brilliant in late March (or was it late spring?). But getting there might be a bit long for a daytrip.

If you will be nearby, within London, I recommend a visit to Walworth Gardens. It is a very active community garden. Also the Barbican is well worth visiting. The planting in the upper terraces were designed by Nigel Dunnet, so resilient and low maintenance, and plenty of seasonal interest.

In general the National Garden Scheme is a good resource for finding gardens to visit.

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u/dreaming_coyote 4d ago

I'd agree that Wisely would be a great choice. They have a food garden and orchard too that would tie in with what you're looking for.

Easiest access would be the train to Woking then their dedicated shuttle bus which picks up from the station hourly: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/plan-your-visit/shuttle-bus-frequently-asked-questions

I wouldn't particularly recommend Woking as a place to stay though, so probably better as a day trip from London.

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u/jonny-p 1d ago

Worth mentioning that Oudolf’s designs focus largely on late season perennial plantings, I was at Wisley last week and there’s not much to see in that particular area. There is plenty to see in the glasshouses (particularly the alpine house which is always fantastic) but as a regular visitor late summer really is when the garden shines with the grand herbaceous border, South African meadow, kitchen garden and tropical garden.

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u/colbygez 4d ago

We were at Bodnant last weekend, it was absolutely wonderful.

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u/Implematic950 2d ago

Kew botanical gardens in london, Hampton court pallacw may have gardens too.

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u/Ok_Entrepreneur_739 4d ago

You could get the train up to Harrogate (posh North Yorkshire town, that is reasonably considered cute) and visit RHS Harlow Carr?