Best Garden Visits in the UK — Our Top 15

1.Kew Gardens Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,252 reviews · 1 day · from $32Our pick

Use your one-day ticket to explore 326 acres of Kew Gardens, including the Palm House, Waterlily House, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Arboretum, Kew Palace, three art galleries, The Hive, and the treetop walkway. Free walking tours run at least twice daily when available, while food, drinks, and the Explorer train cost extra.

“A beautiful place and arrived via a river cruise. Was a very hot day and little shade on the site so was quite overwhelming. Definitely would be better to do on a cool day. The high walk was excellent. Food overpriced.”

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2.Kew Gardens Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,055 reviews · from $30

Walk at your own pace through London’s 326-acre Royal Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Palm House, Temperate House, Queen’s Garden, rare plants, and the Rhizotron and Xstrata Treetop Walkway. You can also join a free guided walk, ride the tram, or stop at a café.

“We love the treetop view and just the natural beauty that surrounded us as we toured the gardens. It was like getting a hug from nature!”

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3.The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 934 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $158

Meet your guide at Queensway Station for a two-hour walk through Kensington Gardens, passing the Italian Gardens and Round Pond while hearing royal stories and park history. Finish with afternoon tea at the Orangery, including sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, jam, cakes, and hot tea. Guides may include Doug, Paul, Paddy, Barbara, or Simon. Palace entry costs extra unless selected.

“On a rainy day in February, it was a lovely, relaxing, and educational experience. I learned a lot from my guide Barbara. She was very knowledgeable and even provided information to help make the rest of my trip easier. Barbara was an excellent tour guide and I enjoyed my time with her. The orangey was a beautiful tea room and the server was very attentive. The vanilla chai tea was perfect on a rainy day.”

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4.Kensington Palace Gardens Tour with Royal High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 325 reviews · from $160

Meet your English-speaking guide outside Queensway Station for a one-hour walk through Kensington Palace Gardens. Hear stories about Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Princess Diana, and other royals before afternoon tea in the Orangery, with sandwiches, scones, cakes, and tea. Palace entry and sparkling wine depend on the option you choose.

“Cost of the tour was a bit high but overall the guide, Dave (I believe) was very informative and a nice person.”

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5.Sky Garden Early Access with Pastry and Hot Drink

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 242 reviews · 2 hours · from $19

Visit Sky Garden early, before the main daytime crowds arrive. You will ride up the Walkie-Talkie building, stroll through its indoor gardens, enjoy one pastry and hot drink, and see the Shard, Tower Bridge, and Tower of London from above. A multilingual audio guide app lets you continue sightseeing around London afterward.

“Very nice morning experience at Sky Garden. Early access gives you a better feel about Sky Garden with less visitors around and a nice small breakfast snack. Definitely recommended”

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6.The Alnwick Garden: Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 241 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Spend a full day at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, with formal gardens, 326 TaiHaku cherry trees, a bamboo maze and the 120-jet Grand Cascade. Add the guided Poison Garden tour for £1.10 per person, and book ahead if you want lunch in the world’s largest wooden treehouse restaurant. Family tickets offer strong value.

“Easy to book and the Poison Garden was on my bucket list. Alnwick Gardens are beautiful”

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7.Birmingham: Winterbourne House and Garden Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 199 reviews · 1 day · from $13

Spend a day at Winterbourne House and Garden, a short distance from Birmingham city center. Walk through seven acres of botanical gardens, see more than 6,000 plant species, and explore Edwardian rooms filled with original furnishings. Allow at least half a day, especially if you want time for the tearoom, greenhouses, bookshop, and nearby water.

“I liked the house and garden.They all had things to look and learn about.It was interesting to learn the history of Winterbourne.I never knew anything about it.”

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8.VIP Kensington Palace Gardens Tour & Royal Tea Crown Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $159

Meet your guide near Hyde Park, hear stories of Diana, Queen Victoria, and the modern royal family, and stroll through Kensington Gardens to the Orangery. Choose the palace upgrade for timed entry, State Apartments, exhibits, and an audio tour. Finish with sandwiches, cakes, pastries, scones, and a choice of English teas.

“Our guide, Mike, was informative and very professional. We enjoyed talking with the group over tea; it was a fantastic experience.”

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9.VIP Kensington Palace Gardens Tour & Royal High Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 59 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $155

Meet your English-speaking guide at Hilton Hyde Park, walk through Kensington Gardens, view the Sunken Garden and Princess Diana’s statue, then enjoy sandwiches, cakes, and a choice of up to 10 teas at the Orangery. Upgrade for timed entry to Kensington Palace and its State Apartments.

“Tea at the Orangery was fabulous. Loved the tour. Our guide was very helpful.”

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10.Hillsborough Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 47 reviews

Spend a full day exploring Hillsborough Castle’s 100 acres of gardens, including the restored four-acre Walled Garden, woodland, waterways, lawns, the Lost Garden, and historic sites such as the Lady Alice Temple. The ticket covers the gardens only, not the castle tour. A Peter Rabbit family trail is included until 1 September 2024.

“Hillsborough Castle and its gardens are a wonderful combination of impressive architecture and picturesque nature. The castle exudes historic charm, while the gardens, with their lush greenery and colorful flowers, offer inviting tranquility and beauty. It’s a perfect place for relaxation and enjoying the outdoors.”

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11.Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden: entry to site.

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 28 reviews · 1 day · from $13

Visit Barbara Hepworth’s former home and garden in St Ives, with archive photographs, paintings, drawings, sculptures, studio views, and larger works set among sub-tropical planting. The site remains close to how Hepworth left it. Allow about an hour for a focused visit, or use the one-day ticket at your own pace.

“I spent a magical, inspirational and very interesting hour at Barbara Hepworth’s Museum and Garden. The sculptures were beautiful and lifted my soul! I learnt a lot about Barbara and Ben Nicholson from the expertly presented information and loved the gorgeous planting in the garden, which complimented the sculptures perfectly.”

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12.Walk Dean Village, New Town & Royal Botanics

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $31

Join local guide Lewis for a four-mile walk beyond Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll see Georgian New Town, Circus Lane, Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden, Dean Bridge, and Dean Village, with quiet routes, photo stops, and stories in a group of up to 10.

“Exzellent. From the guide with love choiced ways through the town with amazing views and diversified impressions. He was very aware listening and responding to desires of the group. Definitely recommendable.”

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13.Royal Horticultural Society: Hyde Hall Garden Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Spend a full day exploring RHS Garden Hyde Hall, an accessible Essex garden with hilltop views, rose walks, a Winter Garden, Birch Grove, vegetable plots, ponds, and more than 90 bird species. Tickets cover entry, while food, drinks, and an audio guide cost extra. Allow 2 to 6 hours.

“lots of space to wander round at your own pace and look at the different areas of gardens. our favourite was all the beautiful dahlias at the top garden. we had a lovely tasty sunday lunch in the hill top restaurant including one vegan, not the cheapest but a large portion. A very nice gift shop and small garden centre. plenty of parking. we will go back later in the year to see how the planting areas change with the seasons.”

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14.Abbotsford: House, Chapel and Garden Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $21Top rated

Visit Abbotsford House in the Scottish Borders, Sir Walter Scott’s former home. Your ticket covers the house, family chapel, formal gardens, Pavilion and Furnace House, with audio guides in five languages. Plan two hours for the self-guided visit, then add the café, riverside walks, or Witch Corner for more time outdoors.

“A brilliant venue to visit. Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Beautiful house and fathers and wonderful Riverside walks. Visitor centre good with good exhibition. Cafe excellent and God value for money.”

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15.Royal Horticultural Society: Rosemoor Garden Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 4 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Spend a full day at RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon, wandering 65 acres of garden rooms, 250 rose varieties, seasonal displays, fruit and vegetables, the fiery Hot Garden, and the peaceful Cool Garden. You set your own pace, with accessible routes and up to six hours to explore.

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