Explore the garden at Shugborough

Children wearing wellies in an Orchard — Exploring the walled garden | © Arnhel de Serra

Take a stroll around the gardens at Shugborough once a centre of innovation, the walled garden, formal gardens and arboretum are filled with seasonal highlights, here's a few top tips on what to look out for.

What's on?

Visit the Gardens

Walled Garden

Soak up the scents, sights and sounds of Shugborough's historic Walled Garden. Originally built in 1805, Shugborough's Walled Garden was a centre of excellence, championing innovation and new technologies. Today we continue this legacy through innovative planting designs of seasonal vegetables and flower borders. This autumn we are harvesting the fruits of a productive summer, with gourds, pumpkins available to take home for donation.

Couple with a tramper on an autumnal walk — Autumnal walk at Shugborough Estate | © David Goacher

Terraces and Formal Gardens

Find the formal terrace gardens running alongside the river Sow, and with views over to the Arboretum, the gardens the perfect place to take in the colours of the autumn season. In the terrace gardens you'll be able to spot some of the monuments that pepper the Shugborough landscape including the 'ruin', as well as newly designed gardens such as the Orangery garden and the Serenity Garden. Continuing Shugborough's long history as a centre of training, these gardens are designed by apprentice gardeners as they learn their craft here on the estate.

Autumn leaves on the weir wheel at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire — Autumn leaves on the weir wheel at Shugborough | © National Trust Images/David Goacher

Arboretum

A place of peace and tranquillity the Arboretum can be found across the red or blue bridge. Once the private gardens of Patrick Lichfield, the walk continues to be curated in his vision. With over 150 oak trees planted from acorns collected throughout a life of global travel, and taking us on an international journey from east to west there are plenty of unusual trees to spot, including the Cork Oak and impressive Giant Redwoods. The arboretum is the perfect place to see autumn colour, taking in the oranges, reds and golds of the turning leaves.

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Take nothing but pictures

During your visit, please don’t take any foliage home with you. Support us in our efforts to keep our countryside secure from the spread of serious plant diseases. Because of this, we ask you to take nothing but photos and memories. Please share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram.