Vote for Britain's best garden
See the six shortlisted spaces in Historic Houses' Garden of the Year Award
We’re spoilt for choice, when it comes to beautiful gardens. So the competition is always fierce for The Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award. This year’s shortlist has just been announced, with six sensational gardens up for public vote.
The competition, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, is sponsored by Christie’s auction house and Historic Houses. Visit historichouses.org
Here’s the six shortlisted gardens:
Chelsea Physic Garden, London
On the Thames Embankment, Chelsea Physic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in Europe. Founded in 1673 by The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, its plant collection is the only botanic garden focused on medicinal, herbal, and useful plants. For opening times, click here.
Holker Hall & Gardens, Cumbria
Holker Hall in Cumbria has a historic 23-acre garden. The Cavendish family, custodians for generations, shaped the gardens around the 16th century stately home, with themed spaces and natural settings, water features and wildflower meadow. The gardens combine beauty, history, and heritage. Visit here.
Hever Castle & Gardens, Kent
I have visited these glorious gardens many times. The Hever Castle grounds were laid out between 1904 and 1908 and the 125-acre estate is full of surprises, from the floral display and classical statuary in the Italian Garden, giant topiary chess set, huge English Rose Garden, 38-acre lake, water features and Tudor Garden. Visit here.
Picton Castle Gardens, Pembrokeshire
Picton Castle Gardens consist of 50 acres of a mix of formal and woodland gardens, including a Walled Garden, two ice houses, 18th century cascades and a Dew Pond. It is full of rare plants, like rhododendrons and banana trees. Visit here.
Inveraray Castle & Gardens, Argyll
The gardens at Inveraray Castle are home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and 85,000 guests who visit every year. The garden covers 16 acres, including formal lawns and flowerbeds, park and woodland and form one of the most important designed landscapes in Scotland. Visit here.
Ushaw Historic House, Chapel & Gardens, Durham
Ushaw is a former Catholic Seminary which re-opened for visitors in 2014. With 38 acres of formal gardens, woodland, walled gardens and sports fields, since 2017, volunteers have been bringing the derelict gardens back to life. Known for its rhododendrons, the objective is to provide spaces within the gardens for people of all ages and abilities. Visit here.
How to Vote
Voting for the Garden of the Year Award is open to everyone. Voting closes on Saturday 31 August 2024. To cast your vote, click here.
The winner will be announced at the Historic Houses AGM on Tuesday 12 November 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.