10 of the Best English Gardens to spend an afternoon in

The birthplace of Winston Churchill and one of Britain’s most beautiful historic properties, Blenheim Palace is bordered by over 2,000 acres of Capability Brown landscaped parkland, formal gardens and a magnificent lake.

East of the South Lawn lies the Secret Garden, a secluded area where winding paths lead over bridges to tranquil water, ponds and streams, while a short trip on a miniature train transports families to the Pleasure Gardens, home to a butterfly house and the world’s second largest symbolic hedge maze.

Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP.

For more information, go to: Blenheimpalace.com.

The legendary poet and writer Vita Sackville-West began the transformation of the land at Sissinghurst Castle in the 1930s, with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson.

Harold's architectural planning of the garden rooms, and the vibrant planting by Vita, reflect the romance and intimacy of her whimsical poems and writings. The White Garden and Rose Garden are of particular note, coming into their own in high summer. Climb to the top of the castle tower for an inspirational view of this poet’s garden inspired by the land.

Address: Sissinghurst Castle, Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB.

For more information, go to: Nationaltrust.org.uk.

The 60 acres of beautiful gardens at Hampton Court Palace run down to the River Thames, featuring sparkling fountains, glorious displays of over 200,000 flowering bulbs and 750 acres of tranquil royal parkland.

The geometric Privy Garden has been restored to its original early 18th-century glory using incredibly detailed descriptions so guests can experience it as William III would have, complete with a 12-panel Tijou screen made from wrought iron. The 20th-century garden is a more informal and peaceful space; away from the busier areas of the Hampton Court gardens, it’s ideal for a picnic.

Over at The Long Water, the pretty canal is lined with scented lime trees. A fountain created to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne sends a 50 foot jet of water into the air four times each hour.

Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU.

For more information, go to: Hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace.

The topiary gardens at Levens Hall are truly something to behold – the oldest and arguably the finest in the world, they form a sublime living sculpture gallery home to some fantastic shapes, from chess pieces to Queen Elizabeth and her Maids of Honour.

After wandering through the manicured Rose and Herb gardens, you can move onto the more natural and fanciful Orchard, where flowers and foliage are encouraged to spill romantically over the narrow grassy pathways.

High summer is the perfect time to visit, when the true glory of the gardens is revealed as 20,000 flowers come into bloom. With any number of quiet spaces and intimate corners to be found, it’s a beautiful space to gather your thoughts.

Address: Levens Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0PD.

For more information, go to: Levenshall.co.uk.

The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle is home to spectacular classical and natural gardens created by William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th century. Acres of wild marshland were painstakingly transformed into magnificent private grounds, divided into the colourful Italian Gardens, mannered Rose Garden and elegant Tudor Garden.

On a warm day, take a picnic and stroll down Sunday Walk, following the course of a trickling stream to a peaceful woodland garden teeming with fascinating flora and fauna.

Among the garden’s many admirers is Dame Judi Dench, who launched the castle’s own floribunda ‘Hever Castle Rose’ (Horquinsey) in 2011.

Address: Hever Rd, Hever, Kent, TN8 7NG.

For more information, go to: Hevercastle.co.uk.

Renishaw Hall & Gardens boasts one of the best examples of native bluebell woods in the country, which form a striking contrast to the polished geometry of the formal gardens. Owned by the Sitwells, a family of writers, innovators and eccentrics, for over 400 years, their creativity is palpable in every facet of the spectacular design.

The spellbinding Italianate gardens feature naturalistic plantings on either side, and to the east of the garden lie holly and camellia avenues leading to paths through mature woodland.

On the weekends of 17 and 18 August, visitors to Renishaw Hall can come along to Plant and Food fairs, which, along with tours of the historic vineyard, offer an opportunity to purchase plants and produce admired en route.

Address: Renishaw Hall, Renishaw, Chesterfield, S21 3WB.

For more information, go to: Renishaw-hall.co.uk.

Surrounding Weston Park’s statuesque stately home are the Formal Gardens, retaining the style and feel of the 1930s, and the Broderie Italian Garden, which is sunken to allow unspoiled views from the Victorian Orangery.

Enter the gardens and you're greeted by 1,000 acres of natural beauty, tempered with three centuries of garden design. Lush, colour-packed borders filled with roses, rhododendrons, azaleas and lavender will lead you to Shrewsbury Walk, then on to the spectacular Teardrop Gardens, Rose Walk, Victorian Conservatory and St. Andrew’s church.

Those who explore even further will be rewarded with entry to the unforgettable Pleasure Grounds created for ‘Capability’ Brown, the Medieval Deer Park and gorgeous Temple Wood, where they’ll discover the 1770 James Paine bridge, Temple of Diana and Temple Pool.

Address: Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal, Telford, Shropshire TF11 8LE.

For more information, go to: Weston-park.com.

Set around the sublime ruins of a 1920s Gothic mansion, with rooms filled with flowers from the garden as Anne Messel, Countess of Rosse once had them, Nymans Gardens exude an air of magic and romanticism.

Visitors can enjoy glorious views over the High Weald and marvel over the garden’s experimental designs while their children explore the woodland playground, play giant games or even board a miniature train.

Address: Nymans Gardens, Handcross, near Haywards Heath, RH17 6EB.

For more information, go to: Nationaltrust.org.uk.

Widely acknowledged as a masterpiece of 20th-century design, these magnificent gardens take in breathtaking views of the South Downs, offering a mix of formal and informal planting laid out around an elegant country house.

Don’t leave without taking a peek inside the pretty walled kitchen garden, brimming with fruit, vegetables, and of course flowers. Forming a sweetly perfumed blanket of pastel yellow over the court yard, the collection of banksiae roses is simply beautiful – happily, they can be bought from the neighbouring shop to take home.

Address: Hinton Ampner Gardens, Petersfield Road, Hinton Ampner, Alresford, SO24 0LA.

For more information, go to: Nationaltrust.org.uk.

Today Tatton Park paints an almost complete picture of how a Victorian garden would've been, including a Japanese tea garden and the world-famous restored glasshouses once used for growing pineapples, figs, apricots, grapes, peaches and nectarines.

Inside the Walled Gardens, visitors can observe the cultivation techniques and original varieties of vegetables and fruit from 'Scarlet Emperor' runner beans and 'Fat Lazy Blonde' lettuce to 'British Queen' potatoes.

With 50 acres of landscaped gardens, a rare-breed farm, 1,000 acres of deer park and an adventure playground, it's the ideal spot for a family day out.

Address: Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN.

For more information, go to: Tattonpark.org.uk.