The Gardens
Loudon Terrace
The Terrace is named in memory of J. C. Loudon who planned these Gardens in 1830, and is the first place to view the main sweep of the Gardens. It is a place to relax, to stroll and converse, to eat sandwiches or merely to sit in the sun.
More about the Loudon Terrace...
Main Lawn & Bandstand
The Main Lawn is an amphitheatre that acts as a sun trap, with higher ground behind cutting off the cold northerly winds. The Lawn is therefore a popular spot for picnics in fine weather and is, indeed, the hub of the Gardens, inviting the visitor to leave the formal Terrace and explore the more remote regions beyond.
More about the Main Lawn & Bandstand...
The Cottage & Garden
In a quiet enclosure behind the playground is a red-brick cottage manifesting a medley of architectural styles, indeed almost amounting to an architectural joke. The Cottage provides a natural setting for a collection of old favourite plants reminiscent, at least in the public imagination, of the cottage gardens of the last century.
More about the Cottage & Garden...
Other features...
Growing Schools Garden
Designed by TV's Chris Beardshaw, this garden shows how teaching and learning can take place outside the classroom. More about the Growing Schools Garden...- Pinetum
A conifer grove with pines, redwoods, cedars, larch, Douglas fir and a maidenhair tree, Ginko biloba - Alpine Yard
Demonstrating the many ways alpines can be displayed - Historic Gardens
Roman, Medieval and Tudor gardens - Children's Discovery Garden
An area for our younger visitors to get a feel for the natural world. More about the Childrens' Discovery Garden... - British Wetlands Habitat
A landscaped reproduction of native wetland habitat - Herbaceous Border
Launch Virtual Tour of the Herbaceous Border and Playground
- Herb Garden
Culinery, medicinal and ornamental herbs - Playground
A traditional playground and adventure trail for younger visitors to let off steam - Winter Garden & Fountain
Early flowering plants and shrubs bring colour throughout the winter months - Acer Collection
A small arboretum of maples - Rock Garden & Pool
A mountain landscape in miniature. More about the Rock Garden & Pool...
Launch Virtual Tour of the Rock Garden
- Wildlife Glade
A small plot, carefully managed to reproduce a flower meadow - Azalea Valley
A path between borders of modern azaleas - Rhododendron Walk
A shady walk planted with new and established varieties - Wilson Border
Devoted to plants collected in China by Wilson, who trained at the Gardens a century ago - Fern Garden & Woodland Walk
Recently replanted with many specimens used when first created in the 1860s. More about the Fern Garden & Woodland Walk... - Grass Garden
An inspiring collection of ornamental and economic plants of the grass family - Aviary Winter Bank
A diverse collection of plants for winter colour - Lawn Aviary
Home to varied collections of birds around an enclosed viewing plaza. More about the Lawn Aviary... - National Bonsai Collection
A fine display of about 25 hardy bonsai trees housed in a secure courtyard, owned by members of the Friends of the National Bonsai Collection (FNBC). More about the National Bonsai Collection... - Japanese Garden
A courtyard garden or 'tsubo-niwa' (garden between buildings) and was built with the help of members of the Japanese Garden Society