Parks & Gardens in South East England

The parks and gardens in South East England are a sight to behold, with seasonal plants that create a rainbow of colours and illustrious open spaces that provide the perfect setting for a delightful afternoon stroll.

The warmer, gentler climate of South East England, in particular of the Isle of Wight, enables more tender plants to thrive and grow well. Hence, the region boasts some of the country’s best parks and gardens. In all shapes and sizes, these magnificent gardens change their faces throughout the seasons: spring brings forth a wild, blanket of colour and summer fills the air with the gentle aroma of roses, while the changing leaves of autumn add a totally different dimension, and in winter a brisk walk through a frosty garden can be very rewarding.

Throughout the region’s counties there are formal Italianate landscapes, quaint cottage gardens and award-winning national collections. Urban parks, popular with picnickers during the warmer months, are a way to escape the hustle and bustle. England’s most historical famous park and one of the largest, Windsor Great Park, with its undulating deer lawns, woods and ornamental gardens, is the burial place of royals such as Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert.

Here is a selection of ideas for days out in the parks and gardens in South East England.

Waterperry Gardens

Eight acres of ornamental gardens set in the Oxfordshire countryside, Waterperry Gardens is home to a gallery, a country life museum and teashop offering home-baked lunches. Events gardening courses are also available throughout the year.

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Savill Garden

Developed under the patronage of Royalty, Savill Garden in Windsor is one of the country’s greatest ornamental gardens and is located in Windsor Great Park. The garden itself comprises of 35 acres of gardens and exotic woodland.

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Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Set in the grounds of a ruined Elizabethan mansion and surrounded by the beautiful Weald countryside, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is regarded by many as the epitome of the mid 20th century English garden and is a short drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells.

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Nymans

Enjoy some wonderful views across the West Sussex countryside at one of the leading green gardens in the National Trust - Nymans. Here you can explore the wider estate with walks through ancient woodland, beside lakes and wildflowers.

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Painshill Park

Regarded as one of the finest 18th century landscaped parks in Europe, Painshill Park gives visitors the chance to step into a 'living picture of paradise' in 158 acres of authentically restored Georgian landscape in Surrey.

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