11 Beautiful Spring Gardens in England You Must Visit
Trying to decide which spring gardens in England are actually worth visiting – and when to go so you don’t accidentally miss the best blooms – is harder than it sounds.
Where I’m from in England, we often say spring is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it season between winter and summer, so timing really does make all the difference!
I grew up in the South East of England and have spent years visiting these gardens in different seasons, but spring is by far my favourite.
The gardens are quieter, the light is softer, and the spring flowers are just magical!
Over the years, I’ve planned spring trips around daffodils in Kent, tulips at Hampton Court Palace, and short bluebell windows that are easy to miss if you don’t know when to go.
So in this guide, I’ll share exactly where to go, when each garden is at its best, what you will see, and how to plan your visit so you can make the most of spring while it lasts!
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How to Plan Your Trip to See Spring Gardens in England
Timing
Planning a trip to see the best spring gardens in England sounds simple, right? Until you realise how short (and unpredictable!) bloom seasons actually are.
One week too early and everything’s still in bud.
One week too late, though, and it’s already past its best.
And trust me, I’ve learnt this the hard way – paying a crazy amount for a train fare to see the tulips at Hampton Court Palace, only to discover I was a week too late for peak bloom!
So, how do you make sure you’re not left disappointed on your spring trip?
Well, the easiest way is to check out recent photos and updates on social media or the garden’s own website. But, as a general guide:
- March is all about daffodils and early magnolias
- April is peak tulips and blossom (arguably the most reliable month for spring blooms)
- May has bluebells, wisteria, and fuller, more colourful gardens
If you’re trying to choose just one window, mid to late April is your safest bet.
Logistics
In terms of logistics, having a car makes a HUGE difference.
A lot of the most beautiful spring gardens in England are tucked into the countryside, and while public transport can get you close, you’ll most likely need a taxi for the final leg.
If you’re not driving, base yourself somewhere with good transport, like London or Bath.
And, of course, weekdays are always going to be calmer than weekends.
You’ll notice it most at the more popular gardens on this list, like Hampton Court Palace or Leeds Castle, but honestly, every garden is more enjoyable when it’s quietest!
11 Best Spring Gardens You Can Visit in England
1. Emmetts Garden, Kent
Emmetts Garden, near Sevenoaks in Kent, is one of my favourite spring gardens in England to visit – and it’s so underrated!
My favourite time to visit is early spring, when thousands of daffodils take over the South Garden in huge carpets of yellow, but every spring season is beautiful here.
Emmetts Garden is located at one of the highest vantage points in the Weald of Kent, so there are also stunning countryside views from the garden, reaching as far as Bewl Water!
In March and early April, you’ll see swathes of daffodils and early magnolias. And in April and May, you’ll see colourful tulips and bluebells in the woodland.
You can see my full Emmetts Garden travel guide and spring photo diary here.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: March
- Flowers in bloom: Daffodils, magnolias, tulips, bluebells
- Can’t miss: The viewpoint over the Weald of Kent and Bewl Water
- Where to stay: Donnington Manor Hotel, Sevenoaks
- How to get there: Train to Sevenoaks + 15–20 minute taxi, or drive (easiest)
2. Hampton Court Palace, London
Did you know that every April, one of London’s most famous royal palaces – Hampton Court – transforms into the most spectacular tulip garden?
Because nope, neither did I until 2023. And now I’ve been back every year since!
Thousands of spring blooms burst into colour throughout the old courtyards and gardens of the palace – and I couldn’t think of a more picture-perfect backdrop!
And it’s not just a gimmick, either.
The tulip displays are genuinely impressive – especially in the Clock Court, Fountain Court, Great Vine Border and Tiltyard Kitchen Garden.
Plus, this is the one garden that is actually easiest to get to WITHOUT a car.
Just take the direct train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court Station!
Hampton Court does get busier than some of the other gardens on this list, but the palace is large enough that you can still find quieter corners (especially in the morning and midweek).
You can see my full Hampton Court tulips travel guide and spring photo diary here.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: April (you can check current bloom peaks here)
- Flowers in bloom: Tulips, wisteria
- Can’t miss: The underrated Great Vine Border
- Where to stay: The Wellington Hotel, Waterloo Station
- How to get there: Direct train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court
3. Leeds Castle, Kent
I grew up going to Leeds Castle, and it’s just effortlessly pretty at any time of year.
But my favourite season to visit, as you might have guessed, is definitely spring!
You’ll find clusters of daffodils and other spring blooms throughout the grounds.
But the prettiest photo spot is to the right of the castle, where a carpet of daffodils stretches down the grassy bank to meet the moat, with Leeds Castle as your backdrop.
And Leeds Castle is also famous for its birdlife, so spring is the best time to spot some seriously adorable babies.
On my last trip, we saw the most adorable goslings just leaving their nest for the first time!
There are also so many other things to do at Leeds Castle in any season, including visiting inside the castle itself and watching the daily falconry display.
You can see my full Leeds Castle travel guide and spring photo diary here.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: March
- Flowers in bloom: Daffodils, cherry blossom, some tulips
- Can’t miss: Daffodils stretching along the bank of the moat, in front of Leeds Castle
- Where to stay: Hampton by Hilton Ashford International
- How to get there: Train to Ashford International + bus number 10, or drive
4. Iford Manor, Wiltshire
Iford Manor in the Cotswolds is SO underrated, but it is honestly one of the most stunning and vibrant spring gardens I have ever visited!
The gardens are small and intimate compared to the others on this list, and the vibe is almost Mediterranean thanks to its gorgeous stepped terraces.
During my last visit in late April, the cherry blossoms, wisteria, magnolias and tulips were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.
And as a photography lover, I never wanted to leave!
So if you’re looking for somewhere that still feels like a hidden gem, Iford Manor is one of my favourite spring gardens in England that I would recommend everyone visit!
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: April
- Flowers in bloom: Cherry blossoms, wisteria, tulips
- Can’t miss: The terraced garden views
- Where to stay: The Z Hotel Bath
- How to get there: Drive or taxi from Bath (20 minutes)
5. Exbury Gardens, Hampshire
Exbury Gardens is another favourite of mine, located in the New Forest National Park!
It’s very different from the others on this list, because it doesn’t offer your traditional spring flowers (for example, tulips or wisteria).
But it does have spectacular displays of large shrubs, including camellias, azaleas, magnolias and rhododendrons – all at their very best in spring.
So while the other gardens on this list feel curated, Exbury definitely looks and feels more wild and natural – but in the best way.
This is a garden I have visited a lot over the years, yet I still discover something new in its sprawling grounds every time I visit!
Plus, there are also stunning river views, peaceful paths for walking, and even an adorable little steam railway if you want to rest your feet for a while.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: April
- Flowers in bloom: Azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias
- Can’t miss: A ride on the quaint Exbury steam railway
- Where to stay: The Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu
- How to get there: Drive
6. Scotney Castle, Kent
Scotney Castle is another stunning National Trust garden in Kent!
Like Exbury, Scotney is not really known for its spring flowers, but it does have beautiful varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas in peak bloom in spring.
But by far my favourite sight is the daffodils in March, which carpet the grass in front of the ruined medieval castle, for the most beautiful photo opportunity!
Also, don’t miss the view of Scotney Castle from the top of the hill, surrounded by its moat!
And as well as the spring blooms, this sprawling estate is also the perfect place for a long walk in the countryside or a picnic under one of the ancient trees.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: March
- Flowers in bloom: Daffodils, azaleas, rhododendrons
- Can’t miss: The view down to the ruined castle and moat
- Where to stay: The Tunbridge Wells Hotel
- How to get there: Drive (easiest) or train to Wadhurst + taxi
7. The Courts Garden, Wiltshire
The Courts Garden is another hidden gem in Wiltshire, and when I first visited, I honestly wasn’t expecting to fall in love with it as much as I did!
It’s not huge, but in spring it is bursting with colour and feels incredibly peaceful to explore, making it one of the most underrated spring gardens in England.
During my last visit in April, the tulips surrounding the Water Garden and the daffodils in the arboretum were especially beautiful.
Plus, there are lots of varieties of spring bulbs planted each year, so there’s always colour!
And because it’s small, you can easily fit it into a half-day (maybe combined with a visit to nearby, beautiful Bradford-on-Avon), or take your time and relax with a picnic or at the café.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: April
- Flowers in bloom: Mixed spring blooms
- Can’t miss: The Water Garden
- Where to stay: Widbrook Grange, Bradford-on-Avon
- How to get there: Drive (best) or train to Bradford-on-Avon + taxi
8. Hole Park, Kent
If bluebells are on your spring bucket list this year (and honestly, they really should be!), Hole Park is one of the best spring gardens in England to see them.
Every year, the whole ancient woodland is transformed into a sea of blue!
And Hole Park is actually famous for its bluebells locally and even has a bluebell barometer, which you can check out here, to guarantee you see them at their peak.
Plus, as well as the famous bluebells, stunning camellias, magnolias, blossoms, wisteria, spring bulbs and tulips are also bursting with colour throughout the gardens.
It’s a dreamy, full day out this spring, and there’s always space to spread out and find a quiet corner to relax and enjoy the views!
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: April
- Flowers in bloom: Bluebells, wisteria, tulips
- Can’t miss: The spectacular bluebell woodland
- Where to stay: The Mermaid Inn, Rye
- How to get there: Drive
9. Athelhampton Gardens, Dorset
Athelhampton Gardens in Dorset feel more structured than some of the other gardens on this list, but I love that – and it’s definitely another underrated hidden gem!
The garden has been designed in a formal layout, surrounding the historic manor house, and every spring (especially in May) those gardens are bursting with colour.
As well as the neat box hedges and topiary, you’ll also see vibrant spring bulbs and even early roses in May, dotted throughout the gardens.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: May
- Flowers in bloom: Mixed spring blooms
- Can’t miss: The formal garden design and manor setting
- Where to stay: The Duchess of Cornwall Inn, Dorchester
- How to get there: Drive
10. Hever Castle, Kent
Hever Castle is one of the most famous places on this list, best known for being the home of Queen Anne Boleyn – and inside the castle are fascinating exhibits from her life.
But Hever Castle also has a spectacular lake and gardens to explore outside!
Spring starts early at Hever, with snowdrops and daffodils appearing throughout the grounds from March, and then the gardens gradually grow into fuller, colourful displays of spring blooms as the season goes on.
Throughout the gardens in spring, you’ll find pops of colour everywhere, including daffodils, blossoms, tulips, camellia and even early roses in May!
To see what’s currently blooming at Hever, check out their official Spring Watch page.
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: May
- Flowers in bloom: Snowdrops, daffodils, tulips
- Can’t miss: The spectacular view of Hever Castle from the moat
- Where to stay: The Leicester Arms Country Inn
- How to get there: Train to Hever Station + 20 minute walk, or drive (easiest)
11. Hartland Abbey, Cornwall
Hartland Abbey feels like a truly special getaway, even just visiting for the day!
And, in spring, it bursts into colour with hundreds of varieties of camellias, snowdrops, bluebells, tulips, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and daffodils all in full bloom.
My favourite garden at Hartland Abbey in spring is the walled garden for its beautiful tulips, as well as the woodland garden for its vibrant camellias.
Also, if you watched the hit BBC TV show Mallory Towers, you will have seen Hartland Abbey and its beautiful grounds as the main filming location for the show.
Plus, no matter what time of year you visit, you can’t miss the 1-mile woodland walk to the sea for the most spectacular jagged coastal views!
What you need to know:
- Best spring month: May
- Flowers in bloom: Camellias, tulips, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias
- Can’t miss: The spectacular sea views from Abbey River Beach
- Where to stay: Hartland Quay Hotel
- How to get there: Drive (essential)
Final Thoughts: How to Choose the Best Spring Garden To Visit
With so many beautiful spring gardens in England, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to see everything at once – but honestly, that’s just a recipe for stress.
So, although all of the gardens on this list are beautiful in their own right, you don’t need to see all eleven this spring.
(It’s taken me YEARS to visit them all at their peak!)
Instead, think about how you want your dream day trip to feel.
If you want something easy and low-effort, stick to more popular, well-connected places like Hampton Court Palace for the tulips or Leeds Castle for the daffodils.
If you want quiet and space, Emmetts Garden or Iford Manor are perfect hidden gems.
Or if you’re planning to travel further from the capital this spring, then a garden like Exbury or Hardland Abbey is truly magical to visit.
There’s no right or wrong choice – pick the garden that fits your trip, energy and the kind of spring blooms you want to see, and you’ll have a magical spring day out!
Read More About Travel in England:
- 11 Beautiful Spring Gardens in England You Must Visit
- Emmetts Garden in Spring: A Photo Diary & Travel Guide
- Hampton Court Tulips: An Easy Spring Day Trip from London
- Leeds Castle in Spring: A Dreamy Photo Diary & Travel Guide
- 11 Bridgerton Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit
- Ultimate Bridgerton-Inspired England Itinerary (7 Days!)
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