Quintessentially English
Weston Park, Staffordshire
Brown was responsible for reshaping the 1,000-acre parkland of this stately home into a ‘natural beauty’. Explore his 18th-century landscape designs and the more formal lines of the 19th-century gardens. See the Walled Kitchen Gardens, or venture into the yew hedge maze, labyrinth and grass mazes. A wild flower meadow is planned for the future. 01952-852100, www.weston-park.com
Croome, Worcestershire
This was the landscape architect’s first commission for a house and parkland. Restoration of the gardens started more than 17 years ago and continues today. What was previously a lost, overgrown parkland has been restored according to Brown’s very first landscape design. 01905-371006, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome
Sherborne Castle
Sherborne Castle, Dorset
Sherborne Castle is one of Brown’s earliest designs, much of which can still be seen today. Built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh, explore the Grade I-listed garden with paths, trails and views of more than 1,000 acres of lake and parkland. The trees surrounding the lake include historical specimens from Raleigh’s travels. u 01935-812072, www.sherbornecastle.com Trentham, Staffordshire One of Brown’s most celebrated successes. This award-winning garden has a mile-long ‘Capability’ Browndesigned lake, as well as Italian Gardens, woodland and a maze. Walk around the lake path (it’s two miles) or hop aboard a boat. 01782-646646,
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Noted as ‘the finest view in England’, Blenheim is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The award-winning Formal Gardens, commissioned by the 9th Duke of Marlborough, include a secret garden, the majestic water terraces, a fragrant rose garden and the grand cascade and lake. 0800-849 6500, www.blenheimpalace.com
Hampton Court, Surrey
Brown was appointed by King George III to look after Hampton Court’s gardens, raising his status amongst the nobility. He is thought to have planted a great vine in 1768, which still produces a crop of grapes. The palace is of unique, historical and horticultural importance and covers 750 acres of land. 020-3166 6000, www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Brown’s first major commission and now one of the most magnificent landscape gardens in England. He started here as head gardener in 1741. Stowe has fabulous views, lakes and temples all joined up by paths and a timeless landscape. In the 18th century it rivalled many royal gardens and Catherine the Great of Russia copied many aspects of its design for her own gardens. 01280-817156, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
The estate’s 105-acre garden features many of Brown’s 18th-century designs amid its 105 acres. Centrepieces include its 200ft fountain, a rock garden and Joseph Paxton glasshouses, as well as contemporary sculptures. Join a guided garden tour where you’ll learn all about its history. 01246-565300,
Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
Brown was responsible for softening the gardens at this country estate with a series of serpentine lakes. English Heritage took over Wrest Park in 2006 and restored it to its former glory. Explore the 90 acres of grounds where you can see French, Dutch, Italian and English styles sitting side by side and spanning three centuries of design. 01525-860000, www.english-heritage.org.uk
Harewood
Harewood, Yorkshire
Brown wanted to ensure the gardens were as imposing as the interiors of this stately home and he did this by building an enormous lake (32 acres). Enjoy this 100-acre garden where you can see the Terrace, Lakeside Garden, Himalayan Garden and Walled Garden. 0113-218 1010,
Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Compton Verney is a Grade I Georgian house set in 120 acres of Grade II parkland. Much of what you see today results from a long-term project, still ongoing today, to restore the feel of the landscape and garden created by Brown in 1768. Follow the restored footpaths and discover his minimalist natural style with sweeping vistas, viewpoints and central lake. 01926-645500, www.comptonverney.org.uk
Lowther Castle and Gardens, Penrith, Cumbria
Brown remodelled the landscape surrounding this historic country house to be more ‘natural’. Its gardens are now being restored after 70 years of neglect. Join the head gardener on a guided walk and discover designs from centuries past including the Yew Avenue, Japanese Garden, Sweet Scented Garden and Parterre Tapestry Garden. u 01931-712192, www.lowthercastle.org
For more information on England’s wealth of beautiful gardens, visit www.visitengland.com/gardens
Brown was responsible for reshaping the 1,000-acre parkland of this stately home into a ‘natural beauty’. Explore his 18th-century landscape designs and the more formal lines of the 19th-century gardens. See the Walled Kitchen Gardens, or venture into the yew hedge maze, labyrinth and grass mazes. A wild flower meadow is planned for the future. 01952-852100, www.weston-park.com
Croome, Worcestershire
This was the landscape architect’s first commission for a house and parkland. Restoration of the gardens started more than 17 years ago and continues today. What was previously a lost, overgrown parkland has been restored according to Brown’s very first landscape design. 01905-371006, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome
Sherborne Castle Sherborne Castle, Dorset
Sherborne Castle is one of Brown’s earliest designs, much of which can still be seen today. Built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh, explore the Grade I-listed garden with paths, trails and views of more than 1,000 acres of lake and parkland. The trees surrounding the lake include historical specimens from Raleigh’s travels. u 01935-812072, www.sherbornecastle.com Trentham, Staffordshire One of Brown’s most celebrated successes. This award-winning garden has a mile-long ‘Capability’ Browndesigned lake, as well as Italian Gardens, woodland and a maze. Walk around the lake path (it’s two miles) or hop aboard a boat. 01782-646646,
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
Noted as ‘the finest view in England’, Blenheim is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The award-winning Formal Gardens, commissioned by the 9th Duke of Marlborough, include a secret garden, the majestic water terraces, a fragrant rose garden and the grand cascade and lake. 0800-849 6500, www.blenheimpalace.com
Hampton Court, Surrey
Brown was appointed by King George III to look after Hampton Court’s gardens, raising his status amongst the nobility. He is thought to have planted a great vine in 1768, which still produces a crop of grapes. The palace is of unique, historical and horticultural importance and covers 750 acres of land. 020-3166 6000, www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Brown’s first major commission and now one of the most magnificent landscape gardens in England. He started here as head gardener in 1741. Stowe has fabulous views, lakes and temples all joined up by paths and a timeless landscape. In the 18th century it rivalled many royal gardens and Catherine the Great of Russia copied many aspects of its design for her own gardens. 01280-817156, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
The estate’s 105-acre garden features many of Brown’s 18th-century designs amid its 105 acres. Centrepieces include its 200ft fountain, a rock garden and Joseph Paxton glasshouses, as well as contemporary sculptures. Join a guided garden tour where you’ll learn all about its history. 01246-565300,
www.chatsworth.org
Kirkharle Lake and Courtyard, Northumberland
Brown was baptised in 1716 in the Northumbrian village of Kirkharle and today the estate where his parents worked is open to visitors. His original plans for the estate’s grounds were discovered hidden in Kirkharle Hall and have recently been used to shape today’s gardens and build a lake. 01830-540362, www.kirkharlecourtyard.co.uk
Burghley
Kirkharle Lake and Courtyard, Northumberland
Brown was baptised in 1716 in the Northumbrian village of Kirkharle and today the estate where his parents worked is open to visitors. His original plans for the estate’s grounds were discovered hidden in Kirkharle Hall and have recently been used to shape today’s gardens and build a lake. 01830-540362, www.kirkharlecourtyard.co.uk
BurghleyBurghley, Lincolnshire
Burghley took Brown 25 years to complete and he described it as ‘25 years of pleasure’. Burghley is one of England’s greatest Elizabethan houses and gardens. Explore the 300-acre deer park and gardens, where you can see Brown’s signature lake and avenues of mature trees. The Historical Garden of Surprises features obelisks, statues, flowing water and fountains. 01780-752451, www.burghley.co.uk Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
Brown was responsible for softening the gardens at this country estate with a series of serpentine lakes. English Heritage took over Wrest Park in 2006 and restored it to its former glory. Explore the 90 acres of grounds where you can see French, Dutch, Italian and English styles sitting side by side and spanning three centuries of design. 01525-860000, www.english-heritage.org.uk
HarewoodHarewood, Yorkshire
Brown wanted to ensure the gardens were as imposing as the interiors of this stately home and he did this by building an enormous lake (32 acres). Enjoy this 100-acre garden where you can see the Terrace, Lakeside Garden, Himalayan Garden and Walled Garden. 0113-218 1010,
Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Compton Verney is a Grade I Georgian house set in 120 acres of Grade II parkland. Much of what you see today results from a long-term project, still ongoing today, to restore the feel of the landscape and garden created by Brown in 1768. Follow the restored footpaths and discover his minimalist natural style with sweeping vistas, viewpoints and central lake. 01926-645500, www.comptonverney.org.uk
Lowther Castle and Gardens, Penrith, Cumbria
Brown remodelled the landscape surrounding this historic country house to be more ‘natural’. Its gardens are now being restored after 70 years of neglect. Join the head gardener on a guided walk and discover designs from centuries past including the Yew Avenue, Japanese Garden, Sweet Scented Garden and Parterre Tapestry Garden. u 01931-712192, www.lowthercastle.org
For more information on England’s wealth of beautiful gardens, visit www.visitengland.com/gardens