Luton Hoo Estate Walled Garden, Luton

The pretty walled garden at this active working farm and estate was designed by none other than Capability Brown in the late 1760’s for noted Botanist and Prime Minister under George III, John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute. It fell into disrepair in the 1970s but has been completely restored as part of a volunteer run project which started in 2001. The five-acre space is enclosed by the original octagonal wall, and features pretty glass houses, a potting shed and propagation houses, as well as an abundance of seasonal flora, including a rose arbour that was installed to mark the project’s 21st anniverary. Artists can buy a season pass for just £15 which allows unlimited visits to paint and draw there as they please.

When to visit: It’s open on Wednesdays from 1 May – 25 September.

Kathy Brown’s Garden, Stevington, nr Bedford

This private plot has been plotted and nurtured by garden enthusiast and author, Kathy and her husband Simon, for over three decades. You may have caught it on BBC2 Gardeners’ World Winter Special (episode 4 if you’re looking on iPlayer!). The four-and-a-half acre site features a cottage garden, formal garden, courtyard garden, Birch avenue and various areas and planting schemes inspired by artists including Hokusai, Rothko, Matisse, Monet, Mondrian and Hepworth. There’s also a tree peony border (perfect to enjoy in May!) and an edible flower area, with many of the features highlighted in Kathy’s books on the subject (available to buy when you visit). She’ll even put on some homemade cakes for visitors, or you can bring a picnic for evening events – there’s one on 29 June when you can enjoy the gorgeous evening light over the garden.

When to visit: Open Tuesdays from 16 April – 26 Sept and select weekend/Bank Holiday dates including 25 and 27 May.

Ashridge House Gardens, near Berkhamsted

With 190 acres of Grade II-listed Humphry Repton designed grounds to explore and a house fit for a king (literally – it’s a former Royal residence!) as your backdrop, Ashridge is well worth a visit. Make your way round the estate, starting with the Italianate Gardens, take in the Princess Victoria Oak (planted in 1823 when she visited), the rosary, monk’s garden, Victorian fernery, Rhodedendron walk and flower garden. You’ll see something new each time you visit. Tickets are available at the Bakehouse café (the perfect excuse for brunch or coffee and cake in the courtyard). Look out for the garden tours on their site if you want to learn more.

When to visit: Open daily – pre-book or buy a ticket on the day at the Bakehouse café.

Knebworth House and Gardens, Knebworth

The 28 acres of formal gardens at Knebworth date back to the 17th century, but have been through continual change and improvement over the years. You’ll find plenty to explore and inspire here, from the pretty walled garden and sunken garden (where al fresco theatre is held in the summer), to tropical borders, a rose garden and Gertrude Jekyll’s herb garden. Plus there’s loads to win over the kids for a family day trip too, including a maze, bug hotel, wilderness walk and, last but not least… a dinosaur trail!

When to visit: Open on select dates from 20 April – 29 September.

The Swiss Garden at Shuttleworth, Biggleswade

The romantic Regency Swiss Garden within the grounds of the vast Shuttleworth Estate consists of nine acres of scenic parkland and woodland with water features, peacocks, ducks and other wildlife roaming freely and thirteen listed features, including the pretty Swiss Cottage, Grotto and Fernery, plus statues and carvings. Keep an eye on the events calendar for garden tours, live music evenings and workshops through the year.

When to visit: It’s open all year round to enjoy in all its seasonal glory, with shorter opening hours in the winter months. Book an advance ticket and get free entry for a month so you can return as many times as you like.

Hatfield Park, Hatfield

Another 17th century gem, the gardens at Hatfield Park were originally home to former resident, Robert Cecil’s, collection of plants from all over Europe. Today you’ll find an impressive water feature designed by prolific sculptor, Angela Conner; The West Garden with its shrubs, geraniums, iris, herbacious plants, roses and annuals planted within a Yew hedge; an historic stone frieze of Queen Elizabeth; The East Garden with its elegant parterres, topiary and rare plants; the Old Palace Garden with its mini box hedge maze; and the pretty Woodland Garden, bursting with wild flowers, collection of magnolias and camellias, as well as some surviving nineteenth century rhododendrons, which is managed by Lady Salisbury.

When to visit: It’s open from Wednesdays – Sundays (inc Bank Holidays).

Henry Moore Studios and Gardens, Perry Green

Henry Moore, Two Piece Reclining Figure: Points 1969; Photo: Sarah Mason

If you enjoy art as much as gardening, this one’s a double whammy! The world famous sculptor adapted the grounds at his former home to display and work on his larger than life pieces. The Sculpture Gardens now cover 70 acres of lawns, orchard, woodland and sheep fields. With nature being one of the main sources of inspiration for Moore’s work, many of his sculptures were designed for their setting – against the backdrop of sky, fields and trees. Each year, around twenty sculptures are displayed in the gardens for visitors to enjoy, while more can be seen inside the studios, too.

When to visit: Open from Weds – Sun (plus Bank Holidays) until 3 November.

Gotha Gardens at Pembroke Farm, Baldock

Gotha Gardens, cottage garden with roses and sundial in the middle

This relatively new county house garden (it was started in 1990), was initially designed as a woodland walk to attract wildlife. Now you’ll find formal areas including topiary and rose gardens (with over 150 specimens), a woodland garden and tea lawn with cottage-style beds inspired by Gertrude Jekyll. You can also indulge in a bit of shopping at the Artisanal Botanical Candlery, Natural Perfumery and Gift Shop on site, which stock products created with botanical extracts in the Garden Studio and proceeds going back to maintaining the garden habitat. Or treat yourself to afternoon tea in the lovely natural surroundings of the Garden Café.

When to visit: Open Thursdays – Mondays from May – September. No need to book. Season tickets available.

Wrest Park, Silsoe

Wrest park gardens with statues, flower borders and pavilion

There are 90 acres to explore at this English Heritage site, with examples of English, French, Italian and Dutch styles all intermingled. But it’s not all manicured lawns and sweeping vistas, there are plenty of landmarks to spot, including an ornate marble fountain, the 18th century Bowling Green House, a Chinese Temple and Bridge, over 40 statues around the site and, the focal point of the gardens, the Baroque Archer Pavilion perched magestically at the end of the Long Water. For kids, you’ll find an adventure playground (with its own pavilion and zip wire, right next to the café so you can take fivey while they burn off some energy!). Activity backpacks and audio tours are available, too.

When to visit: Open every day but peak prices kick in from 27 May – 1 Sept, plus Bank Holidays tend to be very busy.

Benington Lordship Gardens, Stevenage

Renowned for its snowdrops in Feb and summer Chilli Festival, the grounds of this private family home are only open to the public on select dates, so miss them and you’ll miss out! At this time of year you can enjoy old fashioned favourites such as lupins, delphiniums, achilleas, asters, clematis and geraniums in the herbaceous borders, while the walled garden is divided into veg growing beds and wild flower meadow. You’ll also find two spring-fed ponds – a large carp pond and a smaller wildlife pond which attracts dragonflies and birds – as well as an orchard. Feeling parched? Refreshments are available from the adjacent parish hall on opening days.

When to visit: It’s open on 26 May with NGS, and 27 May; there’s a Plant Fairs Roadshow on 9 June and Floral Festival and Open Gardens 29 -30 June, ahead of the Chilli Festival from 24-26 August. Book here.

BEST OF THE REST

The National Garden Scheme invites visitors to snoop around over 3500 private and public gardens every year across the UK to raise money for numerous charitable causes and to promote the physical and mental health benefits of fresh air and green space. There are a number in Herts & Beds taking part this year with open days coming up. Here are a few that have caught our eye.

The Old Rectory garden wrestlingworth with aliums in foreground

The Old Rectory in Wrestlingworth near Sandy is bursting with colour in the spring, thanks to its free-style planting with wildlife in mind. Expect tulips, alliums, bearded iris, peonies, poppies, geraniums, box headging and wildflower meadows. Book a visit by arrangement until June.

Top Barn Garden, Steppingly, boat house and garden jetty with water irises — Top Barn Garden, Steppingly

Steppingly Village Gardens is a collection of open gardens in the pretty Bedfordshire Village, between Ampthill, Flitwick and Woburn, most of which was was built by the 7th Duke of Bedford between 1840 and 1872. The four participating gardens feature pretty courtyards, perenial cottage-style borders, a Victorian well, glasshouses, an orchard, veg and herb patches, wildlife havens and country views, as well as some resident chickens, ducks and fish. They are open from 26 – 27 May with homemade teas and Townsend Farmhouse and hot dogs at 21 Church End (May openings only).

Secret gardens! 14 local stunners to wake up your green fingers

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