As the spring weather starts to finally happen, days out to see some of the UK’s most beautiful gardens is firmly on the horizon.
And the good news is, exploring the country’s most magnificent green spaces doesn’t need to break the bank – with entry to plenty on offer for free, including Henry VIII’s former home, Hampton Court.
Elsewhere, there’s big discounts on other regal gardens too including Winston Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace.
A family could save more than £80 on a trip to visit the Oxfordshire pile with the National Open Garden Scheme in May.
Designed to make gardens more accessible, the scheme, which has been running since 1927, includes both open days to major tourist attractions and private visits ‘by arrangement’ to smaller gardens.
At Blenheim Palace Gardens Open Day on 10 May, you’ll pay £10 per adult, instead of the normal £31 for a garden ticket.
Gardens by arrangement
As well as the Open Days, hundreds of private owners have agreed to allow visits to their gardens by appointment, according to Which?.
These include the South London garden of the chair of the National Garden Scheme and other small gardens around the country.
You can find a garden near you on the National Garden Scheme website.
According to the website: ‘These wonderful, often hidden gems are really worth exploring especially if you are keen to return to a garden you love, perhaps missed a public open day or simply want to explore somewhere completely unchartered.’
The National Garden Scheme opens more than 3,300 private gardens to the public each year.
Meanwhile, the UK has plenty of beautiful gardens on offer to see.
Last year, a Chelsea Flower Show winner revealed the world’s most beautiful gardens.
Gardener Tom Massey told the Daily Mail that he’s been inspired by visits to some of the world’s most spectacular green spaces – and says green-fingered fans should make time to see beautiful gardens when on holiday.
He included many UK spots, such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Born from the 2012 Games, this park is a benchmark for ecological urban design.
Swales, wetlands, and wild planting manage stormwater naturally, while new woodlands and meadows increase biodiversity and provide long-term public benefit.
Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester also made his list.
Castlefield Viaduct champions nature-led regeneration, using planters filled with native and pollinator-friendly plants while trialling new approaches to green infrastructure in cities.
When can you visit Hampton Court Gardens for free?
Normally if you want to visit Hampton Court’s famous gardens you’d need to pay £29 for a general entrance ticket.
However, on certain dates you can wander around gardens created for Henry VIII for free – including the Great Fountain Garden, Pond Garden and Privy Garden.
If you want to visit the maze or the children’s Magic Garden you’ll still need to buy a ticket.
The 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 (The Wilderness garden only).
London Open Gardens
London has its own open days on 6-7 June. These include access to garden squares that are normally only accessible to residents in Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea.
Some ‘inns of court’, where lawyers have studied and worked for centuries, also have gardens open.
There are roof gardens, with views across the capital at the high rise 25 Cannon Street, directly opposite St Paul’s, and Battersea Roof Garden – on top of the former power station.
To visit Battersea Roof Garden you’ll need to enter a ballot once the date has been confirmed.
Scotland’s Open Gardens
While the National Garden Open Scheme covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Scotland has its own scheme.
It includes 457 gardens, from castle grounds to small family plots.
For example, you could visit Kirkton Manor House, which has a delightful, three-acre, informal country garden set in the beautiful Manor Valley.
Or take a trip to Teasses Gardens, which features beautifully designed drifts of planting, with extensive views to the borrowed landscape beyond, as well as gorgeous spring and summer borders around a greenhouse.