Gardens in the Lake District

At Acorn Bank near Temple Sowerby, the National Trust operates a water mill dating back to 1597. Surrounding the mill is a superb walled garden notable for its profusion of spring blooms, especially daffodils and wood anemones, plus a sunken garden, and a world-famous collection of culinary and medicinal herbs.
Historic Property: A partially restored watermill dating back to 1597 is featured in this sheltered garden surrounded by ancient oaks.
Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, England, CA10 1SP

Attraction Type: Garden
Location: 6 miles E of Penrith on the A66
Website: Acorn Bank
Email: acornbank@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 017683 61893
Fax: 017683 66824
National Trust
Location map
Photos of Acorn Bank
OS Grid NY615 283
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Brockhole is an ornamental terraced garden nestled at the foot of the Langdale Pikes. A wildflower meadow and woodland belie the carefully planted schemes of roses, borders, shrubbery, and rock plants. Good planning means there is always something in bloom. Brockhole was planted in the early 20th century by Thomas Mawson, and it is listed by English Heritage as being of special historic importance. The garden is owned by the Lake District National Park, and it sits beside the park visitor centre just outside Windermere. more...
Windermere, Cumbria, England, LA23 1LJ

Attraction Type: Garden
Location: on the A591, between Windermere and Ambleside
Website: Brockhole Gardens
Email: infodesk@lake-district.gov.uk
Phone: 015394 46601
Location map
OS Grid NY390 008
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The smooth Georgian front belies the medieval heritage of Dalemain, home to the same family since 1679. The house is built around an inner courtyard, and the interior rooms are a charming mixture of formal Georgian rococo and paneled Elizabethan. Take a break in the medieval hall, now the tea room.
Garden: Himalayan poppies mark the beginning of summer at Dalemain, but there is plenty to see year-round in these 5 acres of plantsmans gardens. 1680s Terrace walk, 100 old-fashioned roses, named varieties of ancient apples, Tudor Knot garden, wild garden. Largest Abies cephalonica (silver fir) in Britain. more...
Penrith, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA11 0HB

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 3 miles SW Penrith, on the A592
Website: Dalemain
Email: admin@dalemain.com
Phone: 017684 86450
Fax: 017684 86223
Location map
OS Grid NY477 269
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Victorian garden set in beautiful parkland. Flowering shrubs, azaleas, and rhododendrons, plus a formal rose garden. Best in: spring. more...
Newby Bridge, Cumbria, England, LA12 8BA

Attraction Type: Garden
Location: off the A590, midway between Newby Bridge and Hawkshead on the W shore of Lake Windermere
Website: Graythwaite Hall Garden
Phone: 015395 31333
Location map
OS Grid SD372 914
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Run by the Lakeland Horticultural Society. Walled kitchen garden, rock garden, ord, heathers, winter flowering shrubs and alpines. Holehird is home to three national collections - astilbe, polystichum, and hydrangea. more...
Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, England, LA23 1NP

Attraction Type: Garden
Location: 2 m N Windermere, off A592
Website: Holehird Gardens
Phone: 015394 46008
Location map
Photos of Holehird Gardens
OS Grid NY410 009
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The home of Lord and Lady Cavendish, Holker Hall dates to the early 16th century. The house is set in lovely parkland overlooking Morecambe Bay. The interiors are largely Victorian, with some lovely period furniture as well as some earlier Tudor and Jacobean pieces.
Garden: 200 year old parkland, offering woodland walks, and formal gardens. Specimens are well labeled. Here you will find rose gardens, azaleas, rhododendron, and spring bulbs. more...
Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, England, LA11 7PL

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 4 m W Grange-over-Sands, on B5278
Website: Holker Hall
Email: info@holker.co.uk
Phone: 01539 558 328
Fax: 01539 558 378
Location map
OS Grid SD359 773
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A lovely historic house in a quiet north Cumbrian village, Hutton-in-the-Forest boasts a Stuart limsetone facade, which is dwarfed by two towers, one a surviving pele tower from the 14th century, the other a false Gothic giant constructed in the 19th century. The interior is a mix of Regency and Vicorian rooms, including original William Moris wallpaper. The same family has been here since 1605.
Garden: The grounds of Hutton-in-the-Forest contain a classical array of terraces, topiary, walled garden, and dovecote. Fine specimen trees make a woodland stroll a pleasure. more...
Penrith, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA11 9TH

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 6 m NW Penrith, on B5305
Website: Hutton-in-the-Forest
Email: info@hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk
Phone: 017684 84449
Fax: 017684 84571
Location map
OS Grid NY460 358
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Gabled Elizabethan house on medieval foundations, set in topiary gardens. A comfortable home, not just a show-piece, with warm, panelled rooms. If you simply must see Beau Brummel's snuff box, this is the place to come.
Garden: Topiary garden designed by Guillaume Beaumont, gardener to James II, in 1692. Clipped yew and box hedges. Parkland vistas and the earliest ha-ha. Herb garden, summer bedding plants and borders. Best in: summer. more...
Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA8 0PD

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 5 m S Kendal, on A6
Website: Levens Hall
Email: houseopening@levenshall.co.uk
Phone: 01539 560 321
Fax: 01539 560 669
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OS Grid SD495 851
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14th century beginnings much modified in 18th and 19th century. Genial clutter in the library and dressing room, heavily panelled rooms throughout.
Garden: Scafell Pike, England's tallest peak, overlooks the grounds of Muncaster Castle, 77 acres of woodland gardens. Head out for the 3-hour wild walk, explore the Himalayan foothills (well, a botanic recreation of them in the Sino-Himalayan garden!) or visit the Owl Centre or the Meadow Vole maze. more...
Ravenglass, Cumbria, England, CA18 1RQ

Attraction Type: Castle
Location: in Muncaster, just S of the A595
Website: Muncaster Castle
Email: info@muncaster.co.uk
Phone: 01229 717 614
Fax: 01229 717 010
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OS Grid SD103 965
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Georgian facade fronts extensive medieval and Tudor underpinnings. Interior largely Elizabethan and earlier, with linenfold panelling and 16th century four-poster bed.
Garden: The National Trust's largest limestone rock garden may be found at Sizergh, as may two lakes and a fine show of autumn colour. 1,600-acre estate is crossed by footpaths leading to dramatic viewpoints over the bay and fells. more...
Sizergh, Kendal, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA8 8AE

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 3 m SW Kendal, off A590 and A591
Website: Sizergh Castle
Email: sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 015395 60951
National Trust
Location map
OS Grid SD498 878
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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