Surrey

If there’s one thing Surrey does extremely well in summer, it’s a garden moment. Think overflowing herbaceous borders, wisteria clinging on a little longer than it probably should, and lawns so perfectly kept you briefly consider going home and rethinking your entire outdoor life.



Between July and early September, the county is at its most photogenic &#8211; and whether you’re after a stately estate, a hidden horticultural gem or somewhere to simply sit with something cold and vaguely smug, there’s a garden with your name on it.



Here’s where to go when you want flowers, fresh air and a very good excuse to linger longer than planned.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-the-ultimate-inspiration-rhs-garden-wisley">Best for the ultimate inspiration: <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Garden Wisley</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/RHS-Wisley-summer.jpg" alt="The summer gardens at RHS Gardens Wisley in Surrey." class="wp-image-66244" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/RHS-Wisley-summer.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/RHS-Wisley-summer-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/RHS-Wisley-summer-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/RHS-Wisley-summer-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/RHS-Wisley-summer-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">RHS Garden Wisley in the summer. Photo credit: RHS</figcaption></figure>



The heavyweight. Summer is one of the most spectacular times to visit RHS Garden Wisley, as the flagship garden reaches a peak crescendo of colour, fragrance and lush, tropical textures.



There’s plenty to explore, but the mixed borders are the real show-stealer. Running either side of the Broadwalk, these world-famous 128-metre-long double borders hit their peak in July and August, bursting with layers of greenery and vivid seasonal colour.



Rose lovers should head straight for the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden, home to around 1,000 varieties. Early summer brings a spectacular first flush of rich scent and densely packed blooms, with repeat flowering carrying the display right through the season.



Elsewhere, the kitchen garden and orchard offer a more structured charm, while the Exotic Garden turns up the heat entirely &#8211; a jungle-like planting scheme of banana leaves, palms, cannas and vibrant salvias, with winding paths cutting through the tropical foliage.



📍 Getting there: RHS Gardens Wisley, Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-a-summer-walk-painshill">Best for a summer walk: <a href="https://www.painshill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Painshill</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10.jpg" alt="Painshill gardens in Cobham,Surrey" class="wp-image-28138" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/09/Painshill-10-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The award-winning 18th-century landscape garden has been carefully designed as a living work of art, with winding paths leading you through a constantly shifting series of views and perfectly placed garden buildings.



Follow the Serpentine Lake as it curves through the landscape, wander through peaceful woodland and stroll past a collection of dramatic follies, including the Ruined Abbey, Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent &#8211; each one adding a little theatrical flair to the scenery.



And as you go, keep an eye out for the seasonal wildlife too, with goslings and ducklings often stealing the show along the water’s edge.



📍 Getting there: Painshill, Between Streets, Cobham, KT11 1JE



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-picnic-perfection-polesden-lacey">Best for picnic perfection: <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/polesden-lacey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polesden Lacey</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/06/Polesden-Lacey-flowers.jpg" alt="The double herbaceous borders at Polesden Lacey, National Trust venue in Surrey." class="wp-image-54625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/06/Polesden-Lacey-flowers.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/06/Polesden-Lacey-flowers-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/06/Polesden-Lacey-flowers-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/06/Polesden-Lacey-flowers-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2024/06/Polesden-Lacey-flowers-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



This imposing Edwardian house at Polesden Lacey was once quite the party pad, hosting royalty and celebrities beneath its glittering gold saloon ceiling. The gardens were designed to match that glamour &#8211; and they absolutely deliver.



The star attractions are its spectacular floral displays, particularly the Edwardian rose garden and the dramatic double herbaceous borders. The borders are among the finest in England, bursting with intense summer colour &#8211; from fiery reds and oranges through to softer, layered planting that shifts gently through the season.



In summer, the gardens and grounds also host a run of relaxed events, from Lazy Jazz Sundays to open-air theatre. Pack your best picnic bits, roll out a blanket and settle in with something delicious &#8211; and for a moment, it’s very easy to imagine you live here.



📍 Getting there: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, near Dorking, RH5 6BD



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-hidden-gem-ramster-garden">Best hidden gem: <a href="https://www.ramsterevents.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ramster Garden</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Ramster-Garden5.jpg" alt="Ramster Garden near Chiddingfold in Surrey." class="wp-image-66245" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Ramster-Garden5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Ramster-Garden5-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Ramster-Garden5-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Ramster-Garden5-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



A bit more secret, a bit more wild, and all the better for it. Ramster Garden is one of Surrey’s best-kept secrets, a true hidden gem known for its rare trees and kaleidoscope of flowering shrubs.



In summer, the garden slips into a wonderfully wild phase, with meadow flowers in full bloom and a soft, naturalistic feel running through the planting. The flowering dogwoods are putting on a particularly good show, alongside summer rhododendrons, climbing roses and foxgloves, all weaving together in a relaxed, almost woodland-style display.



It makes for a beautifully cool, shaded walk on warmer days &#8211; the kind of place you linger rather than rush. There’s no need to book in advance, and dogs are welcome on short leads, making it an easy win for a spontaneous countryside wander.



An on-site tearoom adds to the appeal for a mid-walk pause. The garden and tearoom are open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.



📍 Getting there: Ramster Gardens, Petworth Rd, Chiddingfold, Godalming GU8 4SN



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-a-grand-day-out-loseley-park">Best for a grand day out: <a href="https://loseleypark.co.uk/the-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loseley Park</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Loseley-Park_115.jpeg" alt="The summer gardens and Loseley Park near Guildford in Surrey." class="wp-image-66248" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Loseley-Park_115.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Loseley-Park_115-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Loseley-Park_115-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Loseley-Park_115-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Loseley-Park_115-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Loseley Park is at its most spectacular in summer, when the gardens burst into full seasonal confidence around the 2.5-acre Walled Garden. Partially inspired by historic planting ideas from Gertrude Jekyll, the space is cleverly divided into a series of “rooms”, each with its own distinct personality and planting style &#8211; a mix of formal structure and abundant, country-cottage softness.



From June through August, the garden shifts through the seasons in vivid style, moving from romantic pastels into richer, jewel-toned planting. The Flower Garden is a particular highlight, weaving together traditional herbaceous perennials, mixed shrubs and bold drifts of annuals and bulbs for a long-lasting, high-impact display. Think fiery reds and burnt oranges softened with flashes of yellow, blue and deeper tones throughout.



Beyond the main Walled Garden, there’s also the Rose Garden with its abundance of blooms, the tranquil White Garden with its cool palette of silver and green, and the productive Herb and Organic Vegetable Gardens. Just outside the walls, a wildflower meadow offers a quieter moment of calm.



Loseley Gardens and the White Garden Café are now open Sunday to Thursday.



📍 Getting there: Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1HS



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-dramatic-views-claremont-landscape-garden">Best for dramatic views: <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/claremont-landscape-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Claremont Landscape Garden</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler.jpg" alt="Claremont Landscape Garden in Esher, Surrey." class="wp-image-48219" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2023/06/Claremont-Landscape-Gardens-amphitheatre-NT-Andrew-Butler-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Claremont Landscape Garden is one of the finest surviving examples of the 18th-century English Landscape Garden &#8211; romantic, sweeping and just a touch theatrical in all the right ways. Created by leading landscape designers of the era, it was once a playground for the wealthy and well-connected, and has hosted the likes of Sir John Vanbrugh, Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold over its storied past.



Much of the original design still remains, from ornamental water features to wide, open lawns. In summer the three-acre Amphitheatre is the star of the show &#8211; all rolling lawns and cinematic views. It&#8217;s the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon. And f you’re lucky enough to catch one of the alfresco theatre or cinema events during the summer months, even better &#8211; but it’s just as good with nothing more than a blanket, a bottle, and time to spare. Rowboats are also available to hire on weekends and school holidays until the end of September.



📍 Getting there: Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9JG



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-plant-obsessives-savill-garden">Best for plant obsessives: <a href="https://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk/explore/the-gardens/the-savill-garden/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savill Garden</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1005" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Savill-Garden-The-Golden-Jubilee-Garden-Summer.jpg" alt="The Golden Jubilee Garden at Savill Gardens, Egham in the summr" class="wp-image-66249" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Savill-Garden-The-Golden-Jubilee-Garden-Summer.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Savill-Garden-The-Golden-Jubilee-Garden-Summer-800x536.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Savill-Garden-The-Golden-Jubilee-Garden-Summer-1000x670.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Savill-Garden-The-Golden-Jubilee-Garden-Summer-400x268.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/surrey/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2026/06/Savill-Garden-The-Golden-Jubilee-Garden-Summer-768x515.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Golden Jubilee Garden at Savill Gardens.</figcaption></figure>



The Savill Garden is at its most spectacular in summer, when the 35-acre landscape bursts into colour, fragrance and lush greenery.



Best known for its contemporary Rose Garden, the garden comes alive with thousands of blooms and a viewing platform overlooking the vivid planting below. Nearby, the Herbaceous Borders are at their peak in July and August, packed with towering, pollinator-friendly perennials in rich, layered colour.



One of the garden’s standout features is the award-winning Dry Garden &#8211; the first of its kind in the UK &#8211; which thrives in late summer with drought-tolerant planting and striking South African species. For something cooler and more shaded, Summer Wood and the Hidden Garden offer peaceful woodland walks beneath mature trees and hydrangea-filled pockets.



While spring may bring the famous rhododendron displays, summer is when the garden truly hits its stride, delivering a continuous wave of scent, colour and texture across the estate. And if inspiration strikes, the on-site gift and plant shop makes it very easy to take a little of it home with you.



📍 Getting there: The Savill Garden, Wick Lane, Englefield Green, Egham, 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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<li><a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/review-painshill-gardens-cobham/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: Painshill landscape garden, Cobham</a></li>



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Blooming lovely: Surrey gardens to visit this summer

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