Little Orchards, Outwood

Little Orchard gardens in Outwood, Surrey, designed by Nic Howard — *Photo credit: @nichoward Instagram*

Opening as part of the National Garden Scheme, Little Orchards is a privately owned garden adjacent to National Trust woodland in the pretty village of Outwood. It’s the work of garden designer Nic Howard – and includes various elements from his Chelsea Flower Show designs including an oak shelter with a cedar shingle roof which featured in his 2016 English Country Garden for David Harber. The garden is arranged as a series of connected areas that flow between two properties – the old gardener’s cottage and The Old Stables. Often compared to a mini Petersham Nursery by visitors, there’s also a gift shop selling garden paraphernalia and a café area.

🌷 When to visit: Little Orchards is open on Fri 26 and Sun 28 May (12noon-4pm); Wed 6 and Sun 10 Sept (12noon-4pm); or by arrangement between April and September for groups of 20 or more. Cost is £5 adults, children free.

Painshill, Cobham

Ducks and geese on the Serpentine Lake at Painshill, Cobham, Surrey.

The award-winning 18th century landscape garden has been carefully designed as a living work of art. Winding paths will take you on a journey to discover a living canvas with beautiful vistas and dramatically placed garden buildings. Stroll around the Serpentine Lake, wander through woodland and promenade past follies, including the Ruined Abbey, Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent. Keep an eye out for the goslings and ducklings too.

🌷 When to visit: Painshill is open every day from 10am-6pm (last entry 4pm) during the summer months. Cost is £12.50 on the door or £10 online for adults; children aged 5 and 16 are £5.50 on the door or £5 online; under fives are free.

Monks Lantern, Cherstey

Monks Lantern Garden in Chertsey, Surrey, part of the National Garden Scheme — *Photo credit: Monks Lantern, National Garden Scheme*

This garden was created from scratch in 1997, and in the 26 years since then it’s been dug, planted and moulded into the garden it is today. Borders have been arranged with colour in mind; silvers and white, olive trees blend together with nicotiana and senecio. A weeping silver birch leads to the oranges and yellows of a tropical bed with large bottle brush, hardy palms and Fatsia japonica. There’s also aarge rockery and an informal pond, plus a lovely bird aviary.

🌷 When to visit: Monks Lantern is open as part of the National Garden Scheme on Sat 27 May (2pm-5.30pm); or by arrangement between June and September for groups of up to 20. Entry is £6 adults, children free.

Claremont Landscape Gardens, Esher

Goslings at Claremont Landscape Gardens near Esher in Surrey — *Photo credit: John Millar / National Trust*

This Grade I-listed garden created by the great landscape designers of the 18th century was once a playground for the wealthy and influential people – and is one of the earliest surviving gardens of its kind, the English Landscape Garden. It was the country retreat for Sir John Vanbrugh in the early 1700s, and in the years since then has been home to an illustrious group including Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold. These days, much of the original design remains including the three-acre grassed amphitheatre carved into Bridgeman’s Hill. On weekends from April to September, you can hire a row boat and view the gardens from across the water (£12 for 30 mins). Head to the Camellia Terrace to see the peonies in bloom.

🌷 When to visit: Claremont gardens is open every day from 10am to 5pm, entry is £12 adults and £6 children.

Titsey Place and Gardens, Oxted

The bordes and glasshouse at Titsey Place and Gardens, Oxted — *Photo credit: Titsey Place and Gardens*

One of the largest surviving historic estates in Surrey, there are 15 acres of formal and informal gardens to explore at Titsey Place – the magnificent ancestral home and gardens of the Gresham family since 1534. You’ll find a walled kitchen garden, Golden Jubilee rose garden and an Etruscan summer house overlooking picturesque lakes and fountains. 15 acres of formal and informal gardens in an idyllic setting. There are also woodland walks offering two routes around the plantations – a shorter route of about 2.3 miles and the longer route with steeper paths and is about 4 miles.

🌷 When to visit: Titsey Place Gardens are open Wed, Sat and Sun from 17 May to 27 Sept from 1pm-5pm, and Mon 29 May and Mon 28 Aug. Garden entry is £7.50 adults, £2 children. The house is not open on Sundays. Woodlands walks are open all year round, and are free of charge.

Timber Hill, Chobham

Timber Hill Garden, Chobham, Surrey — *Photo credit: Timber Hill Garden*

Timber Hill is a privately-owned garden between Ottershaw and Chobham, that’ has been home to the Sealy family since 1951. Here you’ll find 16 acres of mature gardens with more than 220 camellias, thousands of spring bulbs and a majestic woodland with a gorgeous view to the North Downs and across Fairoaks Aerodrome.

🌷 When to visit: Timber Hill is open as part of the National Garden Scheme on Sun 18 May, Sun 18 June and dates in October (2pm-5pm). Cost is £7 adults, £1 children. Private visits can also be arranged.

RHS Gardens, Wisley

The spring gardens and lake at RHS Wisley near Woking in Surrey — *Photo credit: RHS Wisley*

There’s pretty much something special to see at the RHS Gardens at Wisley, no matter what time of year you visit. But in the late spring / early summer, the archways of Wisteria Walk a blooming with cascades of the delicate lilac flowers. It’s also the time to see the tulip – no less than 270,000 of them in a glorious range of colours from vibrant red to sunshine yellow and brooding dark purple. And for lovers of camellia and rhododendron, head to Battleston Hill which is bursting with colour.

🌷 When to visit: The gardens at Wisley are open from 10am-6pm Mon to Fri and from 9am-6pm on Sat and Sun (last entry 5pm). Entry is £16.50 adults and £8.25 children. RHS members are free.

Kew Green Gardens, Richmond

Not one garden, but a group of five adjacent gardens which run for about 100 yards from the back of the historic houses on Kew Green down to the Thames towpath. Together they cover almost 1.5 acres, and as well as the individual styles of each garden, they can be seen as one large space – quite exceptional in London. he borders between the gardens are mostly relatively low and the trees and large shrubs in each contribute to viewing the whole, while roses and clematis climb between gardens giving colour to two adjacent gardens at the same time. They’re open as part of the National Garden Scheme.

🌷 When to visit: The five Kew Green gardens are open on Sun 28 May as part of the NGS from 6pm-8pm, or by arrangement in May and June. Cost is £10 adults, children free (for all five gardens).

Ramster Gardens, Chiddingfold

The private Ramster Gardens open each year for only a short time and they’re well worth a wander in spring. With more than 25 acres of gardens that includes woodlands, lakes and more formal gardens, the display is stunning at this time of year with the azelias in full bloom and the bluebells still showing colour. There are proper paths which twist and turn to reveal lovely surprises – sculptures, pretty lakes, formal plantings, rare trees and shrubs – and also make the gardens seem bigger than they actually are.

🌷 When to visit: The gardens and tea house are open daily until 2 July (10am-5pm). Entry is £9 for adults, children aged 5-16 £3; under 5s free. Dogs on leads welcome.

The Avenue, Sutton

National Garden Scheme garden in Sutton, Surrey — *Photo credit: National Garden Scheme*

A contemporary garden designed by RHS Chelsea Gold Medal Winner, Marcus Barnett. The garden is split across four levels which are divided into ‘rooms’ by beech hedging and columns and include a formal entertaining area, contemporary outdoor room, lawn and a wildflower meadow. Over 100 hostas hug the house, and there are also silver birch, cloud pruned box, ferns, grasses, tall bearded irises, contemporary sculptures.

🌷 When to visit: The garden at 15 The Avenue is open as part of the National Garden Scheme on Sun 28 May (4pm-8pm) or by arrangement for groups of between 10 and 50. Entry is £8 adult, £3 child.

In bloom! 10 spring gardens to visit in Surrey

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