In the UK, we are lucky to have hundreds of beautiful estates and gardens to enjoy. Many of them are very well known, with tourists and locals both frequently flocking to the sites to enjoy them. However, we also have many gardens that have not received the recognition that they deserve. Let’s have a look at some of these ‘secret’ gardens of the UK.
Sezincote Gardens
A more remote and less well-known garden can be found surrounding Sezincote House in Gloucestershire. This is a spectacular estate with the house taking inspiration from its owner’s time in Imperial India. The garden has also been infused with a sense of the east, with an Indian style pavilion, the stream is crossed by an Indian bridge decorated with Brahmin bulls and a snake coiled around a column in the Snake Pond. This estate is an amazing place to visit, an exotic paradise in the middle of the traditional Gloucestershire countryside.
Richmond Terrace Gardens
On the outskirts of London, Richmond Terrace Gardens are one of the best in London, yet you’ll find it much quieter and peaceful than other major parks and gardens in the capital. Between 2007 and 2009 the local council invested one million pounds into the refurbishments of the gardens, with remarkable results. This project also included the installation of a three quarter span lean to Alitex greenhouse. The garden is a wonderful respite from the hectic atmosphere of the city and is well worth a visit if you are in the area, and it’s free, which in London is always a plus.
St Michael’s Mount
St Michael’s Mount Castle is an astonishing place in Marazion, Cornwall on an island just off the coast. The castle, which is steeped in history, is home to an equally incredible subtropical garden. It is hard to believe that a garden can exist on this island with the gales and salty winds, however, the Gulf stream tempers the climate so that frosts are a rarity and the rock acts as a gigantic radiator – absorbing heat by day and releasing it at night. The island therefore has its own micro-climate allowing amazing things to grow. Agave and aloe grow out of the bedrock and rosemary and lavender can also be found on the terraces. This amazing garden traverses the side of the rocky island and the terraces and lawns eventually meet with the sea, creating a unique and mesmerising experience.
These are just three of the many amazing gardens that one can find in the UK if you simply search for something more unusual. The big famous estates that we all know about, are beautiful and always provide a terrific day out. However, it is also important to support these smaller estates and gardens to ensure they stay open and you will find some amazing hidden gems along the way.
