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Great Garden Escape: A First Class Adventure From London to Somerset

Planning a weekend getaway? Want to escape London for a day? Look no further as The Newt in Somerset has everything you could...

Editor picks: Things to do at The Newt in Somerset this season

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Considered one of the finest gardens in East Anglia since the mid 17th century, the gardens at Somerleyton continue to delight.

Set in 12 acres, the garden is gradually being re-imagined as a series of interconnected 'rooms'. The gardens include magnificent trees, Victorian architecture and glasshouses, walled gardens, a rose garden, shrubberies planted with rare and unusual plants, exotica, a working kitchen and cut flower garden. Visitors will also enjoy exploring the Yew Hedge maze, which was planted in 1846.

Somerleyton  Hall Gardens

One of the finest Victorian Stately homes and gardens in the wilds of East Anglia.

Immerse yourself in the beauty, romance and history of Cholmondeley Castle Gardens. With over 70 acres of gardens and parkland to discover, it’s the ideal setting for a day out in Cheshire.

The gardens are a showcase for the late Lady Cholmondeley’s love and talent for horticulture. Stroll between beautiful herbaceous borders on the Lavinia Walk. Breathe in the scent of over 250 flowers in The Rose Garden. The daffodils alone are worth a visit in spring. As is The Temple Garden in autumn, where maples and magnolias around the two lakes come to fiery life. 

When it’s time for a cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake, drop into the Tea Room. You can also get a glimpse of the 19th-century castle from a distance along the Deer Park Mere and Natural Trail. If your visit to Cheshire gives you time, The Cholmondeley Arms is on hand for pies and pints. 

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Extensive historic parkland and colourful gardens.

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If it’s a leisurely mooch you’re after, bring your walking shoes and let the majestic 30-acre Pinetum Gardens do the talking. In the last four decades, the largest 'new' garden in Cornwall has sprouted ten individually themed “garden rooms” which are furnished with around 6,000 plants and some of the county’s most spectacular trees. 

Wander among giants in the Pinetum, where redwoods rise out of a manicured woodland made up of 80 different types of conifer. Find inner peace amid the harmonious blend of mindfully placed pebbles, plants and water in the Japanese garden, look out for an abundance of wildlife at the dragonfly speckled water garden or just admire the floral eye candy on display in the colourful borders of the courtyard garden. 

The Pinetum Gardens is a fabulous place to engage children and teens with nature as most of the plants have been helpfully labelled. And the charming Courtyard Cafe is the perfect place to reflect on your favourite plants over lunch.

Pinetum Gardens

An incredible variety of garden rooms and specimen trees.

Kathy Brown’s Manor House Gardens at Stevington, just north of Bedford provides a garden destination with a very personal touch. Designed and cared for by Kathy and her husband Simon, over the last 30 years, this is a modern country 4.5 acre garden. Blossoms and bulbs are a treat in spring with white tree peonies and later beds of intersectional peonies a special delight. The wisteria and laburnum arches in mid May are beautifully underplanted with a sea of alliums, spires of foxgloves and generous groups of poppies. Roses clothe the house walls from May to July with many others covering the pergolas and romping through the trees. By then the wild meadows are rich with pollinators supping the scabious, knapweeds etc. The late flowering clematis begin to take centre stage with dreamy naturalistic gardens combining dainty grasses and colourful echinacea. This is a special time with art gardens based on Monet, Rothko, Matisse, Hepworth and Hokusai. The main borders exude colour with a raft of dahlias. Through August and September the orchard becomes rich with plums, apples and pears. Elsewhere topiary scenes provide special interest and there are major container displays including succulents and mossy kokedamas.
This is a wonderful destination for all afternoon tea lovers. Depending on the timing, Kathy’s cakes are flavoured with rose petals or elderflower or marigolds or lavender all growing in the surrounding flower borders. Tea is normally taken on the lawn, but if weather is windy or wet, then tea is served in her beautiful dining room and conservatory.
A small shop offers Stevington Garden cards, and Kathy’s cake recipe cards, china mugs, and her gardening books including ‘Edible Flower’£7 and ‘Painting with Nature’, a fantastic guide regarding the Manor House Garden £5.
Voted as the Regional Winner in the East among the Nation’s Favourite Top Gardens in a competition involving the National Garden Scheme and The English Garden Magazine.

Kathy Brown's Garden

A colourful and textured garden crafted with devotion.

Achamore Gardens was created by Colonel Sir James Horlick with the assistance of Gardener Kitty Lloyd Jones in 1944. Achamore Gardens is the home of Horlick’s renowned Rhododendron and Camellia Collection. Flourishing in Gigha's warm microclimate, the 54-acre Gardens hosts many notable and unusual plants and trees from around the world. The Garden Viewpoint has stunning views over to the Islands of Islay and Jura, while the pond area offers a secluded oasis.

Enjoy woodland walks with Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, New Zealand tree ferns, Hydrangeas and Fuchsias that complement the walled gardens with their tender exotics, herbaceous borders and Bamboo Maze for all to enjoy.

The Achamore Gardens are run by the Achamore Gardens Trust which was established in 2017. The Trust exists to lead the restoration of Achamore Gardens and their mandate from the Gardens’ community is to not only invite people to celebrate the wild beauty of Achamore but also to facilitate participation, engagement and regeneration.

As you explore Achamore Gardens, you will discover the amazing work that the team is doing to restore this special place, uncovering plants that haven’t been seen in years, discovering lost paths, and finding entire garden compartments hidden in the undergrowth. 


Achamore Gardens

Historic garden on the Isle of Gigha conserving rhododendron cultivars created by Colonel James Horlick.

The gardens at Dorfold Hall are filled with tumbling roses, secluded dells and there are also woodlands to view. There is also a 1000-year-old sweet chestnut tree, the dingle, and several other features, not to mention the uninterrupted view extending from the south lawn.

The recently redesigned borders flanking the two lawns to the South of the house provide an array of wonderful colours in the shape of roses, irises, delphineums, peonies, Himalayan poppies and many more.

Dorfold Hall

Cambridge University Botanic Garden is the most visited garden of its kind in the UK and it’s not just botany students that flock to its extensive collection. Among the visitors are more than 100 species of bird, including a pair of sparrowhawks and the increasingly rare song thrush. 

Established in 1846, the garden boasts over 8000 species encompassing nine national collections from fetching Fritillaries and elegant Bergenias to unusual shrubs. The much older western side is framed by a canopy of mature trees and home to Systematic Beds, with herbaceous temperate plants laid out to aid teaching. The eastern half of the garden, which was developed in the 1950s opens out onto a drought-tolerant meadow, a scented garden and spectacular planting arrangements. In between, pollinators dance among the bee borders, while those feeling brave should sniff out Titan Arum, aka the Corpse Plant, so-called for its pungent whiff. 

A visit to Cambridge University Botanic Garden wouldn’t be complete without paying homage to the infamous apple tree, said to be a descendant of the species under which Newton discovered the theory of gravity. Family-friendly activities range from craft workshops to educational talks and tours. 

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Species-rich botanic garden at the heart of Cambridge.

Woods, orchards, and cultivated gardens are nurtured using age-old skills at The Newt in Somerset. Close to artistic Bruton, this large working estate immerses visitors in the tranquillity of nature. 

The world-class gardens at The Newt cleverly evoke different historic eras. Explore the Cottage Garden for a glimpse of Gertrude Jekyll’s famous landscaping style, and see the flowers that scented 19th century gardens in the Victorian area. The Cascade is a contemporary twist on traditional water features, and the Colour Gardens feature hellebores, astrantias and anemones inspired by garden designer Penelope Hobhouse. Her family home was The Newt’s Georgian manor Hadspen House – now a luxurious hotel. 

Once you’ve taken in the gardens and explored the woodland walkways, you can refuel at The Garden Café. Or, at the Cyder Press, sample the cider made from the estate’s 3,000 apple trees, perhaps enjoying a guided tour of the cellar and apple pressing demonstrations. 

Make sure to activate your Garden Membership on Candide, and return to The Newt as often as you like over the next 12 months.

Accessibility Information
All gardens areas are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though via indirect routes – often up thick lawns, steep gradients, uneven ground and gravelled pathways. For longer distances transport is available for those requiring assistance.


The Newt in Somerset

Magnificent estate with productive gardens, museum and parkland.

Upon entering the grounds of Blenheim Palace, it’s easy to see why the likes of Harry Potter, Spectre 007 and many other blockbusters have been filmed here. The lavish UNESCO world heritage site is home to award-winning formal gardens, swoon-worthy vistas and one of Britain’s grandest houses. 

Dubbed 'the finest view in England' by Winston Churchill's father, the showstopper is the vast lake and beautiful Vanburgh Bridge set in 2100 acres of naturalistic parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. With its links to Churchill, history buffs will find plenty here to intrigue. But it’s not just the colourful history that draws people to this idyllic corner of Oxfordshire.

A delight in all seasons, the grounds play host to open-air cinema during the summer months, while the Christmas period sees the palace and gardens lit up for the annual illuminated light trail. Whether you’ve come to marvel at the opulent Baroque architecture, seek out the serenity of the secret garden, bury your nose in the rose garden or enjoy the views from the water terraces, Blenheim Palace is sure to be an unforgettable day out.  

Blenheim Palace

- Magnificent country house and vast estate with formal gardens.
- Book **[Palace, Park & Garden tickets](/GB/places/4a33aa4448ace3bdde9d0a3b950e0b86/tickets)** for a free upgrade to annual membership. 
- Book **[Park & Garden tickets](/GB/places/4a33aa4448ace3bdde9d0a3b950e0b86/tickets) **for a great value single day pass (excl. Palace entry).

Moggerhanger Park is a heritage site promoting and celebrating its historic assets created by Humphry Repton and Sir John Soane. Within its walled garden and open grounds, many plant species and veteran trees can be found, enough to enthral any keen horticulturalists or garden enthusiast! The park also offers its very own woodland walk, tea rooms, a museum as well as a plant and book shop located within the grounds. The mansion house is open to the public for guided tours throughout the year and is a popular day destination for conferences, educational seminars, celebrations, boasting its own 21 ensuite bedroom boutique B&B.



Moggerhanger Park

A Grade I listed Georgian house nestled in a Humphry Repton designed garden and woodland.

After being closed for 10 years, Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens was nearly lost forever. However, it reopened its doors in 2019 after undergoing one of the largest garden restoration projects in England. These spectacular and ancient gardens are now open for the public to enjoy once again. 

With over 240-acres of English woodland gardens set within a steep valley, you can expect to find lakes, woodland areas, and the famous Rock Garden.

Many people in the local area have fond memories of their visits and life around these gardens. Leonardslee aims to protect this magnificent heritage so that future generations get to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna within.  

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens

240-acres of English woodland gardens where you'll find lakes, forests, and the famous Rock Garden.

What was once a Georgian kitchen garden with the sole purpose of serving Archerfield House has been completely transformed. Today, it is a Walled Garden and a haven for wildlife featuring fragrant florals, fresh produce and unique nature trails.

Owned by the Douglas-Hamilton family since the late ‘60s, the one-acre site, in East Lothian, is split into several areas. Enjoy an eye-catching display of flowers in the perennial meadow, take in the delightful aroma from the Rose Garden and listen out for different creatures in the wildlife area. You can also feast your eyes on colourful fruit and vegetables in the potager and tunnel beds which you can then enjoy in the form of a tasty lunch in the Garden Cafe. 

The inviting grassy area by the pond offers the chance to relax while the play area keeps the kids entertained. Following the magical Fairy Trail with the family, through Archerfield Wood, as you look for sculptures and willow structures is a must.

Archerfield Walled Garden

Great family day out with fairy trail, cafe, walled garden and meadows.

Got a thing for walled gardens? Nestled between the glistening River Spey and the rugged Moray Coast, Gordon Castle Walled Garden is one of the oldest, largest and arguably one of the loveliest kitchen gardens in Britain.

Thanks to a sensitive restoration back in 2012, this vast space bustles with the sight of gardeners digging, sowing and harvesting – much like they did in 1803 when the garden’s present form was created. Not that you’d ever be able to tell the place had fallen into disrepair from the abundance of carefully trained produce and flourishing borders. Everything grown here is put to good use, whether it’s essential oils from the herb garden, cafe veggies from the supersized allotment or the fragrant cut flowers that decorate the cafe, holiday cottages and castle. 

The seamless transition from 19th-century private kitchen garden to the gem of an attraction it is today is down to renowned designers Arne Maynard and Craig Hamilton and head plantsmith Ed Bollom. The great thing about the grid-like layout – aside from being pleasing on the eye – is that it’s easy to loop around and make sure you haven’t missed anything. Very important when there’s this much horticultural flair on display. 

Gordon Castle Walled Garden

- A historic walled garden - the perfect Kitchen Garden inspiration.
- Book **[day tickets](/GB/places/4a33aa4448ace3bdde9d0a3b952f9f9b/tickets)** or buy an **[annual membership](/GB/places/4a33aa4448ace3bdde9d0a3b952f9f9b/tickets)** with Candide.

"The Charterhouse may have occupied this site at the heart of Clerkenwell since 1348, but it’s yet to shake its hidden gem status. And that’s no bad thing. 

Those looking for respite from the hubbub of the city could do worse than stumble across the lovingly restored gardens and palatial rooms of The Charterhouse. The interlocking courtyards and garden rooms have been carefully planted to appeal to both people and wildlife. Despite its long history, the gardeners haven’t been afraid to play with convention. The Preacher’s Court offers a modern twist on the cottage garden style, which is a contained riot of clashing colours and plants jostling for space. Contrast this with the muted but no less beautiful pallet of the Norfolk Garden. The garden also features botanical rarities which use their city setting to their advantage. For example, elegant spires of Echiums thrive on this ancient plot thanks to the unique microclimate created by the surrounding buildings. 

Over the years, this site has worn many hats, including as a Carthusian monastery, a grand Tudor mansion, a school, and an almshouse, which it remains to this day. You can soak up this history in the museum, on a tour or just by nabbing a bench in one of the stunning courtyards - just don't tell anyone. 
"

The Charterhouse

- Medieval garden and museum at the heart of London.

Fans of ferns are in for a treat at Attadale Gardens, which is home to one of the largest fern collections in Scotland. The fern-filled geodesic dome and atmospheric sunken garden are a joy to discover. But these unfurling fronds aren’t the only thing exciting green-fingered visitors. 

On arrival, visitors can marvel at the lily pad-covered water gardens before taking a stroll along the old rhododendron walk. Those with kids in tow will have a blast seeking out the animal sculptures hidden among the foliage while those looking to slow the pace can unwind in the Japanese-inspired raked gravel gardens. 

But what really makes Attadale Gardens special is its location in Wester Ross, Scotland. Head up to the viewpoint where you can see this mosaic of gardens set against the beautiful backdrop of neighbouring Skye. As well as the charming gardens, there’s an onsite tearoom providing homemade snacks, sweet treats and hot drinks in exchange for a donation, which you can leave in the honesty box.

Attadale Gardens

- Large fern collection and gardens in spectacular setting.
- Book **[day tickets](/GB/places/6cd9f9c1b9ed8123ff7df4ec3d008ab7/tickets)** or buy a **[season ticket](/GB/places/6cd9f9c1b9ed8123ff7df4ec3d008ab7/tickets)** with Candide.

A meandering and richly planted open garden on the east coast of Scotland. Cambo Estate offers amazing variety, from the alliums, lilacs and roses in its walled garden to one of the UK’s most impressive collections of snowdrops. 

One of the most interesting features of the Georgian walled garden is the burn – a gently flowing stream - that runs through it down to the sea. Start with a view of the whole garden by the twisted weeping willow, then wander past herbaceous borders packed with late-season naturalistic and prairie-style plants. In the winter, don’t miss the surrounding woodland, home to birch trees and 350 types of snowdrop.

Children will love playing in the Lost Elf Village or spying on each other through the spider hole. And those in need of a good cuppa can drop into the café. There are exciting plans for a contemporary cutting garden, though you can also buy plants in the stables. 

Go on a tour of the gardens with Lady Catherine Erksine, who has lived at Cambo House since 1976. Learn about its history as well as its quirkier features, and which parts of the garden really come to life at different points in the year.  

Cambo Gardens

Richly planted walled garden set in a large estate.

Whether you turn up in early December to cut your own Christmas tree or in late March to witness Spring’s first blooms, there really is something to see all year round at Finlaystone Gardens.

Although the Finlaystone Gardens has evolved since its inception in 1900, it still retains the charm and character of a historic garden as felt in the pretty Celtic paving and the traditional charm of the walled garden. The estate offers sweeping vistas of the lapping waters of the Firth of Clyde. And thanks to the restricted play areas, you can stare out to sea in peace. 

As the new year unfolds, the woodlands are glazed in snowdrops while bluebells, rhododendrons and azaleas provide a welcome flash of colour at the turn of the season. Look out for unusual trees and shrubs such as Eucryphias and Embothrium. Signs of a sustainable food growing culture can be found in the vegetable garden where soft fruit and espalier trees tumble into view.

The majestic Finlaystone House and accompanying woodland trails provide further roaming space, although rumbling bellies can always swing by the Garden Café. 

Finlaystone Gardens

Family-friendly estate with ancient woodland and mature gardens.

This moated house is surrounded by four acres of garden renowned for its collection of over 200 old roses and a collection of irises containing many famous Dykes medal winners, most of them dating from the 1950s. There are hidden corners in the garden so visitors find themselves coming to unexpected parts which are unanticipated from the first impression gained by looking down into it from the public footpath along the towpath beside the river Great Ouse. With its large herbaceous borders of mainly scented plants the garden gives the feeling of being a cottage garden full of favourite plants in a rather formal setting of lawns with topiary coronation shapes and chess pieces in their black and white planted squares.

The Manor - Hemingford Grey

12th Century house and cottage-style gardens by the River Ouse.

"Depending on your age, you’ll either recognise the beautiful Tintern countryside from Wordsworth’s poem Tintern Abbey or the Netflix series Sex Education. Either way, it’s easy to see why both were set in these lush rolling hills, which also happen to be the site of the gorgeous Veddw House Gardens. 

Bordered by thick woodland, this two-acre ornamental garden consists of a labyrinth of crisscrossing hedges containing a series of garden rooms. Though compact in size, there’s no shortage of things to see. A particular highlight is the reflective pool, where one can lose oneself in contemplative thought or jump right in (not literally) with the photo opportunities. 

With its dramatic use of ‘block planting’ and bold use of hedging, this garden manages to excite modern sensibilities while paying homage to the past. You’ll find references to the site’s history everywhere, from the bench carved with the names given to the house and gardens over the years to the parterre of grasses echoing the hedgerows found on a local Tithe Map from 1842. At the meadow and in the wild garden, ancient grassland sway —  untouched for generations —  in the breeze. The garden is cared for “with a light hand”, which only adds to the magic of the place.
"

Veddw

Impressively planted ornamental garden and small woodland.

Explore the 16th century house and the classically designed gardens with long borders, trees, and lakes. There's also a diverse range of birdlife including red kites, kingfishers, black swans, and little grebes.

Deene Park

Elegant country manor and estate with tea room.

Discover 300 acres of managed woodland and formal gardens, surrounding a 15th century moated castle in the heart of rural East Sussex.

Herstmonceux Castle Estate

Vast and well-kept estate with formal gardens.

Holme Pierrepont Hall is renowned for its glorious displays of Snowdrops in February, along with other winter flowering plants including hellebores, aconites, cyclamen, Cornus and winter-flowering irises. In April, the rare wild tulip, 'Tulipa Sylestris' can be seen in the Grounds and later in the Spring, the gardens come to life with a pretty palette of colourful planting and herbaceous borders. The summer months see roses, clematis, flowering shrubs and herbaceous borders. The Courtyard garden with its box parterre and the East garden with its topiary yews are also very striking throughout the year.

Holme Pierrepont Hall

An ancestral medieval manor with an exquisite Grade II listed courtyard garden

On a sheltered plot near Leominster in Herefordshire, you’ll find Stockton Bury Gardens, a quintessential English country garden, which regularly graces the ‘must visit UK garden’ lists compiled by papers. And for good reason. 

A beautiful old building cloaked in wisteria greets visitors, who can stroll (or skip) under archways made of flowers and down hedge-lined pathways leading to beautifully planted borders. 

The four-acre garden is also home to a medieval pigeon house, tranquil water gardens and an original Victorian Garden Kitchen, which supplies the cafe with fresh, zero air-mile fruit and veggies. Children are sure to be mesmerised by the Monkey Puzzle Tree, while the dappled shade of the orchard provides welcome relief on sunnier days.

Created by keen plantsmen Raymond Treasure and Gordon Fenn, Stockton Bury has been in the Treasure family for five generations and much of the garden was pasture until the pair transformed it into this well-acclaimed garden that is now about 35 years old. 

If you’re curious about the history of the garden, feel free to stop by the museum before you leave. Though we’d make sure to steal our last glimpses of the garden from the Pavilion, a tranquil spot to take in picturesque views of the rolling countryside. 

Stockton Bury Gardens

Critically-acclaimed quintessential English garden.

Set across 10 acres of wildlife-rich woodlands the Cotswold Sculpture Park is a large and diverse collection of contemporary art with everything from scrap metal work to bronzes. Some works, such as the Morris Minor mounted atop a vast spike by the entrance are monumental in scale, and many of the pieces are available to buy.

The grounds are considered part of the artwork here, with changing foliage providing a beautiful backdrop and the edges of some sculptures beginning to fade into the landscape. The owners are devoted to wildlife, with a thistle field, wildflower garden, woodland glades and a pond area, so it’s worth bringing along a pair of binoculars to catch the bird life. Visitors will also be pleased to discover that a range of hot and cold refreshments are available, and toilets can be found at the back of the site.

Cotswold Sculpture Park

Contemporary sculptures in a biodiverse woodland.

An extraordinary space at the heart of the capital. 17th Century apothecaries established Chelsea Physic Garden, and their work is continued today in its living collection of around 5,000 plants that have changed the world. 

Tucked away beside the Thames in one of London’s smartest boroughs, the Chelsea Physic Garden is a retreat from the buzz of the city. Within its sheltered walls, rare and unusual plants flourish: walkthrough shaded avenues and admire the gardens of edible, herbal and medicinal plants, colourful floral displays from the Atlantic islands and woodland and wilderness areas. Don’t miss the historical collections in the 100-year-old glasshouses. 

The Physic Garden Café serves up breakfast and lunch using British produce that you can enjoy while admiring the gardens. The garden shop is a real treat for horticultural goodies and gifts. And a whole host of events runs all year, from workshops to family activities. 

Chelsea Physic Garden

A peaceful leafy oasis with heritage glasshouses.

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