A Tour of England's Most Beautiful Gardens

Sprawled across England are some of the world's most spectacular designer gardens. From the centuries old to the modern to the otherworldly, these gardens are guaranteed to thrill seasoned gardeners to the average traveler alike.

1) THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN

Decades old and sadly forgotten after the Second World War, it was only in the last part of the 20th century that Heligan made its revival into the sprawling botanical gardens there today. Its 200 acres are divided into four parts; The Northern Gardens, the Jungle, the Wilder Estate, and Horsemoor Hide & Wildlife Project.

The Northern Gardens are the original gardens restored to their former glory and contain fruit, historic flowers, and a grotto hidden amongst the ferns. The Jungle section follows a raised boardwalk among ponds and tropical plants. Hidden in Wilder Estate are flocks of horn sheep, tranquil lakes, and sculptures hidden in the plant life. There is also a restaurant on the estate, meaning the Lost Gardens of Heligan is easily made into a day-long excursion.

2) SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN

Well loved in the UK is Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Watched over by the National Trust, the garden is divided into enclosed sections or "rooms". The famous White room has all white flowers year round and in the distance you can see Sissinghurst Tower. Other areas include a rose, cottage, and herb garden in addition to the Orchard, the Lime Walk, and the Nuttery. Wandering through each cosy, enclosed room is a romantic, intimate experience.

3) LEVENS HALL

Levens Hall has the finest, and oldest, topiary in England. This award-winning garden has winding paths which are flanked by yew, box hedges, and flowers such as tulips. The trees are all cut into fantastic, painstakingly maintained shapes. On the estate are also an ornamental vegetable garden, a tea shop, a historic house open for viewing and worth a visit on its own, and a park dating back to medieval days that is home to black deer and a rare breed of horned goat. While the topiary garden is formal and clean cut, the park is undeniably about the beauty of pure nature and provides a pleasant contrast.

Photo by: Sissinghurst Garden, England