The exterior of Hill Top cottage surrounded by thick green shrubs and trees — The house at Hill Top in the summer | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Gardens in the Lake District

A garden grown by Beatrix Potter, a riot of colour in castle grounds or an intriguing collection of culinary and medicinal herbs; the Lakes is known for dramatic country landscapes, but there are some fantastic gardens to explore, too.

This summer, soak up the colour and scent of the herbaceous border at Sizergh, see what's growing in the vegetable patch at Hill Top or explore the rose garden at Wordsworth House.

The Rock Garden in June at Sizergh Castle, near Kendal, Cumbria. The Rock garden covers almost an acre and is closely planted with dwarf conifers, Japanese maples and hardy ferns.

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Sizergh, Kendal

Feel inspired with a stroll through the gardens at Sizergh and find out what you’re likely to see growing here when you visit.

A view of the herbaceous border at Sizergh, Cumbria in summer

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Acorn Bank, near Penrith

Potter around the fascinating garden at Acorn Bank. The garden boasts over 275 varieties of herbs as well as hot beds, vegetable patches and traditional fruit orchards.

Blue Iris sibirica in the garden at Hill Top, Cumbria

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The garden at Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead

Discover Beatrix Potter's farmhouse garden, restored to how it was in her time and spot features which appear in some of her little white books.

Two visitors wearing sun hats are sat reading books in the sunny garden at Wordsworth House. Brightly coloured flowers are in bloom and the back of the house is visible.

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Wordsworth House & Garden, Cockermouth

Explore this bright and beautiful walled riverside garden which was once William Wordsworth’s secret childhood playground. Today, it's filled with the colours, scents and sounds of summer.

Two people walking on a footpath with a dog

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Allan Bank, Grasmere

Wander up from Grasmere village to see what's growing in the vegetable garden. Enjoy sweeping views from the formal lawns out across the lake to the fells beyond and keep an eye out for red squirrels in the woodland.

View from the ground up to the towering canopy of several tall fir trees, some with square labels on their trunks

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Stagshaw Garden, Ambleside

Stagshaw's rambling paths and unusual combination of shrubs, trees and plants give this tranquil garden an enchanted feel, with views out to the lake and mountains beyond.

View of the rock-strewn lake at Stickle tarn with mountains rising above it and reflecting in the water

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High Close Estate and Arboretum, The Langdales

Head to the Langdales and discover rare trees and shrubs from around the world at High Close Estate and Arboretum.

Feel inspired with a whole host of gardens to visit across the north of England

Visitors walking through the garden in summer at Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire

Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

From the glorious garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms throughout summer.

Visitors in the Walled Garden at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, North Yorkshire

Gardens and parks in Yorkshire

Enjoy Yorkshire's summer gardens and parks, from the landscaped views at Fountains Abbey, to the borders and pathways at Beningbrough and Wentworth Castle Gardens and hidden gems like Goddards.

View of Cragside house surrounded by rhododendrons in north east England

Gardens in the North East

As the weather gets warmer, there are some quite spectacular moments in store in gardens across the North East this spring. Discover wow moments set to lift your spirits, delicate, gentle blossom and colourful borders teeming with wildlife.