Love a romp through acres of beautiful gardens? Thought so!

Here’s one that should go to the top of your list of faves – a Grade 1-listed garden created by some of the biggest names in landscape design in the 18th Century.

Claremont Landscape Gardens is set in 49 aces just outside Esher. It was once the pleasure ground of the rich and influential – from renowned architects to royalty. Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold once lived here (adding features like the Camelia greenhouse) and Queen Victoria herself acquired the estate to save it from development in 1866.

Many of the greatest names in landscape design history have put their stamp on the gardens over the years including Sir John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and ‘Capability’ Brown. Today it remains the one of the earliest surviving types of the English Landscape Garden, and there are still many unique and unexpected features to discover, including the three-acre grassed ampitheatre carved into Bridgeman’s Hill, the serpentine lake, a grotto, Camellia Terrace and Belvedere Tower.

It’s an oasis of green throughout most of the year, but in the autumn months it’s really something special as the maples turn their gorgeous shades of amber. In the springtime, it’s the blossom and bloom that take centre stage, as swathes of daffodils announce the new season, and then camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons following along soon after. It’s not for nothing that Hughenden ranks on our best places to see spring blossom in Surrey.

In the summer months, Claremont hosts alfresco theatre and cinema events

Dogs are welcome at Claremont all year round, as long as they’re kept on a lead. And once you’ve seen all there is to admire, head to the café where they serve hot and cold lunches, as well as lunchboxes for children. It’s open every day.