Brimming with sprawling landscapes, historic houses, and a rich collection of flora, the United Kingdom boasts numerous gardens that are a testament to its horticultural heritage. Some of these gardens offer guided tours focusing on Victorian plant collections, offering a glimpse into the opulent era that significantly shaped England’s botanical history. This article will explore the gardens that provide this unique, educational experience.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Nestled in the heart of London, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a marvel of ingenuity and botanical discovery. The garden is home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of plants, and its Victorian heritage is evident in numerous elements of the garden.
A visit to Kew Gardens is a journey through time. From its inception in 1759 to its evolution under the reign of Queen Victoria, Kew’s rich history is interwoven with its vast collection of plants. The guided tours at Kew focus on showcasing its Victorian legacy, particularly through its iconic Victorian Glasshouse.
The Palm House, one of Kew’s most distinctive structures, is a testament to the Victorian era’s fascination with exotic plants. The tour guides will unravel the fascinating history of this architectural masterpiece, which was designed to accommodate the tropical plants that Victorian explorers brought back from their expeditions.
Another essential feature of Kew’s Victorian heritage is the Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse. The guided tour will take you through a collection of temperate plants from around the world, offering a glimpse into the vast botanical universe that Victorian gardeners sought to recreate.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Located in Cornwall, the Lost Gardens of Heligan is another place steeped in Victorian gardening traditions. It remained lost to the overgrowth for decades after World War I before undergoing a significant restoration in the late 20th century. Today, the garden offers a rich spectacle of Victorian plant collections.
When you visit this garden, your tour guides will acquaint you with a variety of Victorian horticultural techniques, such as glasshouse cultivation, pit growing, and pineapple pits. The walled gardens, with their lush vegetable and fruit displays, will show you how Victorians managed their kitchen gardens.
The Melon Yard, housing Victorian glasshouses and cold frames, showcases the astonishing diversity of melons grown during the era. Finally, the Pleasure Grounds, with its network of historic paths through an array of ornamental plantings, was a typical feature in many Victorian gardens.
The Garden at Buckingham Palace
If you’re looking for a blend of royal grandeur and Victorian botanical artistry, then Buckingham Palace in England is the place to be. The garden, covering 42 acres, is the largest private garden in London.
While the garden is typically open for exploring during summer garden parties and the annual opening of the State Rooms, guided tours are available that focus on its Victorian plant collection. You will see the 19th-century herbaceous border, a hallmark of Victorian gardening, filled with a vibrant mix of perennials. As part of the tour, you can also explore the Rose Garden, originally created by Queen Victoria’s gardener.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1829, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a charming oasis in the heart of urban England. The Garden features a Victorian layout complete with glasshouses that reflect the period’s architectural style.
A guided tour here will introduce you to various plants from the Victorian era. You will explore the Subtropical, Mediterranean, and Arid Houses, each meticulously designed to cultivate a specific variety of plants. The garden also hosts several events all year round that delve into its Victorian roots.
Chatsworth House and Garden
Last but not least, the Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is a must-visit. The garden at Chatsworth House, spanning over 105 acres, is a spectacle of Victorian landscaping.
The enormous rock garden, the maze, and the gravity-fed Emperor Fountain are Victorian additions that stand out in this garden. The guided tour takes you through these features and more, providing insights into the grand vision of the 6th Duke of Devonshire, also known as the ‘Bachelor Duke.’
Every garden in this list offers a unique perspective on Victorian horticulture. Whether it’s the exotic collections in the Kew or the historic paths of Heligan, each provides a captivating peek into the Victorian obsession with plants and gardens. As you plan your next garden visit in the UK, these Victorian-era gardens should be at the top of your list.
Bodnant Garden
Situated in the verdant realm of Conwy, Wales, the Bodnant Garden is a glorious expanse of 80 acres, packed with plants from around the globe. The garden, set on the banks of the River Conwy, offers captivating views of the Snowdonia range. The guided tours at Bodnant Garden provide a wealth of information about the Victorian plant collections.
The garden is divided into two parts: the upper garden, which is around Bodnant Hall, comprises terraces and informal lawns, and the lower garden, known as the ‘Dell,’ is a wild garden. The Dell houses old trees and the wild Rhododendron collection, some of which date back to Victorian times. The Pin Mill, a Georgian-era building, is another notable feature that offers a glimpse into the garden’s rich history.
Bodnant’s guided tours highlight the Victorian influence on the site’s design, including the various grade listed buildings and structures that dot the landscape. The garden’s signature Laburnum Arch, a golden tunnel of hanging flowers, is a spectacular sight in late spring. It’s a prime example of the kind of dramatic, aesthetic effect that Victorian gardeners loved to create.
Hampton Court Palace Gardens
Hampton Court Palace, a royal palace located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is surrounded by 60 acres of stunning gardens. Once the home of King Henry VIII, the gardens at Hampton Court are a delightful blend of history and horticulture, with a special focus on the Victorian era.
The palace gardens are known for their impressive variety of plants, from the exotic species in the Palm House to the more common native plants found throughout the gardens. The Great Vine, believed to be the oldest and largest grapevine in the world, is another remarkable feature dating back to the Victorian period.
A guided tour of the gardens offers an in-depth look at the Victorian plant collections, with opportunities to learn about the period’s garden design principles and plant preferences. Standout features include the beautiful herbaceous border, a key characteristic of Victorian gardens, and the Victorian Walled Garden, a tranquil spot with a variety of fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
The Victorian era was a time of great exploration and discovery, especially in the field of horticulture. The UK, being at the heart of this period of exploration and innovation, is dotted with gardens showcasing the rich botanical diversity and aesthetic sensibilities of the time. Whether it’s the grandeur of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew or the historical charm of the Bodnant Garden, these gardens offer a fascinating window into the past.
A guided tour of these gardens, each one a horticultural treasure trove, offers a unique chance to delve into the botanical marvels of the Victorian era. Each garden, with its exotic plant collections, architectural wonders, and intricate garden design, is a testament to the era’s lasting influence on gardening.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip around the UK, consider visiting these gardens. As you meander through the paths, allow yourself to be transported back to the Victorian era. Experience the same sense of awe and wonder that the Victorian gardeners must have felt as they cultivated these magnificent plant collections.
