Royal Horticultural Society Gardens

Coast and Country Hotels offer short breaks and weekends in some of the UK’s favourite areas of historical interest, natural beauty and gardening heaven. These delightful hotels promise a warm welcome to help you relax and unwind whilst the stunning locations will inspire you to explore both the local area and RHS Recommended Gardens. Our reputation is built on a simple recipe, great food, friendly staff with local knowledge and great value prices. What’s more our breaks also include quality entertainment on selected nights. So whether it’s the wilds of Scotland, the secluded wooded valleys of Wales or the sheer beauty of the Lake District, there is a Coast and Country Hotel nearby for you to enjoy.

Our hotels and RHS Recommended Gardens

For more information on all our hotels and nearby RHS Recommended Gardens, including image galleries and travel directions and nearby places of interest, simply select a hotel below.

Pitlochry Hydro Hotel, Pitlochry

Drummond Gardens

Drummond has all the characteristics of a courtly, 17th century Scottish Renaissance garden. It is a composite garden, restructured in early Victorian times and renewed again in the 20th century when the garden framework and the exceptional interest of the original 19th century design were carefully preserved.

Scone palace Gardens

Whilst the gardens and grounds are beautiful throughout the year, there are a number of seasonal highlights. Spring is heralded by the arrival of snowdrops followed by the drifts of daffodils throughout the Grounds. The Primulas and bluebells bloom in the woodland areas throughout April and May. In May and June the Grounds explode with colour from the Rhododendrons and Azaleas, while the Laburnum Walkway will also dazzle you with its distinctive bright yellow flowers.

Blair Castle

Diana’s Grove is a fine planting of tall trees, originally laid out in 1737. Hercules Garden was also designed in the mid 18th century forming a walled garden of some 9 acres which has recently been restored. The historic ruins of St Bride’s Kirk stand on raised ground beyond Diana’s Grove.

Cluny House Gardens

There are two very impressive specimens of Sequioadendron giganteum the Wellingtonia or Big Tree, growing at Cluny. One of these is a Champion tree standing at about 33.5m (110 feet) and has an enormous girth of 11m (36 feet), the widest for a UK conifer. There were two introductions from California of S. giganteum into Britain in 1853. One of these was by John Matthew, a Perthshire botanist, who sent seed back to his father in Gourdiehall, Perthshire. The oldest trees in Scotland are considered to have been derived from this collection and although it is not known for certain, it is very possible that the Cluny trees also originate from this seed. Visitors can be quite overwhelmed by the massive grandeur of the two Cluny Sequoiadendrons which dominate the garden and the surrounding landscape.

Portpatrick Hotel, Portpatrick

Glenwhan Garden

This is certainly a garden for all seasons with an incredible diversity of plants. It has taken 20 years of hard work by Tessa and Bill to produce this garden of outstanding character and it is a joy to visit. Perhaps the statue of the Florentine Medici Boar - it is a symbol of fertility, in the centre of the garden has helped.

Castle Kennedy

The gardens are extensively landscaped with terraces, mounds and avenues, all of which were created by men and horses, and extend to more than 30 hectares.

Logan Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was established in 1670 and during the twentieth century acquired three Regional Gardens - the mountainous Benmore in Argyll. Dawyck in the wooded hills of the Scottish Borders and Logan on the Gulf Stream-warmed southern peninsula of Dumfries & Galloway.

Broughton House

Behind the fine 18th century town house with its pink lime washed exterior lies a treasure trove of collections together with a magically secret garden. A little known treasure of a fine town house and garden nestling on the banks of the River Dee in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway. Broughton House was the home of artist E A Hornel. Behind the pink lime washed walls a delightfully uplifting collection of art, ceramics, furniture and literature together with a magically secret garden lie hidden. This fine 18th century town house, bought by Hornel in 1901 became his home and studio. A recent recipient of the 2006 RICS conservation award following a two-year conservation project – today, you too, may find the inspiration that makes Broughton House and indeed Kirkcudbright the artists town we know today.

Derwentwater Hotel and Derwent Manor Apartments, Keswick 

Muncaster Castle Garden

The Gardens, dating back to the 18th Century, are now home to one of Europe’s largest collections of Rhododendron’s. Alongside all the beauty, the team are working in partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens at Edinburgh amongst others, working hard to conserve endangered plants and trees.

Wordsworth House and gardens

The Wordsworth gardens front and rear gardens are laid out according to the findings of our research conducted into how the wordsworths have had the garden laid out in the 1770’s and are planted with varieties of plants likely to have been available to the Wordsworths. The main rear garden is planted with fruit trees, vegetables, cut flowers and herbs – all used in the house, as they would have been in the past.

Hutton in the Forest

Hutton is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds. It is known that there were elaborate gardens around the house from the late 17th century. They have evolved since that time but the basic elements can still be seen and are a wonderful background to the plants and flowers.

Windermere Hotel, Windermere

Muncaster Castle Garden

The Gardens, dating back to the 18th Century, are now home to one of Europe’s largest collections of Rhododendron’s. Alongside all the beauty, the team are working in partnership with the Royal Botanical Gardens at Edinburgh amongst others, working hard to conserve endangered plants and trees.

Holker Hall and gardens

The immaculately kept gardens, 25 acres in all, are part woodland, part formal and essentially Victorian in character, though never heavy or oppressive. The 200-acre 'natural' parkland is in fact the result of the late 18th century planting of Lord George Cavendish. In the early 19th century several new features were added: an arboretum, a conservatory, balustrade terraces by the House, and a large walled kitchen garden.

Sizergh Castle and Gardens

Surrounded by lovely grounds and park with specimen trees and woodland walks. There are many different features with formal terraces, herbaceous borders, wall plants and roses. There is a delightful wild flower meadow, a Dutch Garden and large limestone rock garden. Moisture loving plants hug the sides of rocky streams and pools including the National Collection of four genera of hardy ferns.

Stagshaw Gardens

The garden was created by the late Cubby Acland, Regional Agent for the Trust. It contains a fine collection of shrubs, including rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Adjacent to the garden are Skelghyll Woods, which offer delightful walks and access to the fells beyond.

George Hotel, Chollerford

Bide-a-Wee Cottage Gardens

Set in the Northumberland countryside the garden is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for just an hour or two. Enjoy the peace and solitude while taking in the views of the garden and the surrounding countryside from the many seated vantage points.

Belsay Hall

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, in Northumberland has something for everyone, with a fine medieval castle, a Greek Revival villa and outstanding, plant-rich gardens to explore. Take in thirty acres of picturesque landscaping, including magnificent rhodedendorons, and see forever changing seasonal delights such as snowdrops, gorgeous summer blooms or golden leafy hues. Enter the magical and romantic Quarry Garden with ravines, pinnacles and sheer rock faces inspired by the quarries of Sicily.

Whalton Manor Gardens

The gardens of Whalton Manor are on of the hidden gems of Northumberland. Within easy reach of Northumberland's golden beaches, Alnwick, Morpeth, the Scottish Borders and Newcastle Upon Tyne. They are a must-see for visitors to the area seeking a special and an exclusive experience with a personal touch.

The Station Garden

Originally a country railway station on a line running through the Langley woods, the beautiful garden here is a very unusual and unexpected one, framed by magnificent Victorian stonework and sheltered by the woodland surrounding it. People love this gentle and peaceful place.
The Woodland Walk was created in 2003 along the old track between two arched bridges. Now it is bordered by plants which thrive in woodland conditions, including varieties of primula, erythronium, meconopis, hosta, hellebore, arum italicum pictum, tiarella, heuchera, euphorbia, foxgloves and many foliage plants including hostas and ferns.

New Southlands Hotel, Scarborough

Duncombe Park

An eighteenth century house (1717), with additions by Sir Charles Barry in 1843. Duncombe Park is well-known to garden historians for its serpentine terrace with fine views. It has an Ionic Temple, by Vanbrugh, at its north end and a Tuscan Temple at its south end. There is a Father Time sundial by van Nost. Barry's forecourt pavilions enclose Italianate nineteenth century parterres.

Scampston Hall Walled Garden

The gardens at Scampston comprise three separate areas, The Walled Garden is our most popular area and an attraction in its own right. The Garden Restaurant, visitor facilities and plants for sale are to be found in the Walled Garden. The Traditional Gardens around the house provide a peaceful area to enjoy a quiet stroll. The Park, designed by Capability Brown, provides a beautiful setting, magnificent views and plenty of space for events.

Castle Howard

The 1,000 acres of Gardens are stunning whatever the time of year, and with many diverse areas to explore, visitors can find peace and tranquillity whichever path they choose. Delightful walks reveal in turn hidden glades and breathtaking views. With many terrace walks and lakeside paths, memorable sights include the Atlas Fountain and the Temple of the Four Winds.

Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens

The beautiful, award winning gardens of Burton Agnes Hall offer something for everyone, from the walled garden containing over four thousand different plant species, herbaceous borders, a jungle garden and national collection of campanulas, to the woodland walk with creepy crawlies to spot, as well as the maze and giant games for children and adults alike.

The St. George Hotel, Harrogate

Harlow Carr

Harlow Carr seeks to push the boundaries of design and planting styles, creating displays that are beautiful but on occasion, also provocative. Careful gardening techniques, reflecting our respect for the environment, ensure that flourishing wildlife can also be enjoyed on a visit to the garden.

Newby Hall and gardens

Newby Hall and Gardens is well known in the horticultural fraternity as an impressive example of well designed and extensive range of garden features, expertly decorated with a rich and diverse range of plants. The truly magnificent herbaceous borders are the central feature of the gardens but are by no means the only feature of quality. Garden rooms and themed planting provide a range of style's that can easily be incorporated into most gardens large or small.

Harewood House

The garden landscape at Harewood has been intimately bound to the House from its beginning. In 1758, as the proportions and foundations of the Palladian Country House were being laid out, the shape of the surrounding landscape was being determined by the designer Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Although others had enhanced the landscape before him, in particular Edwin Lascelles, Brown’s interpretation of the Classical landscape with subtly altered hills and valleys, naturalistic plantings of trees and the characteristic serpentine lake form the idyllic rural setting to subsequent garden developments.

Studley Royal Water Gardens

The perfect place to escape from it all and enjoy a great, full day out, there’s so much to see and do at Fountains. Set your own pace to explore over 800 acres of naturally beautiful countryside, with ten historic buildings to discover spanning 800 years of history and acre after acre of open space. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the valley of the river Skell, on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales, only 30 miles from the historic city of York and 9 miles from the A1.

Golden Lion Hotel, Hunstanton

Elton Hall

Very little evidence remains of the original garden. Formal gardens and pleasure grounds were laid out in the 1890s and all that remains from this early planting are some of the mature trees, the box parterre and the four conical yew shapes to the south of the Hall. The garden you see today was laid out in 1913 with the construction of the paths, the lawns, the lily pond, the well-head and the flower garden wall. By 1980 a large part of the Edwardian garden had fallen into disrepair and since the early 1980s there has been a major restoration programme. The flower garden has been replanted and a new sunken garden, a shrub garden and an arboretum created. The Gothic orangery was built to celebrate the Millennium and a Gothic arbour was completed to mark the Jubilee celebrations.

Grimsthorpe Castle

Grimsthorpe Park was the southern edge of the great Lincolnshire forest. Some of these ancient trees were still growing here in the 20th century Oaks were felled during the Tudor period for ship building and again during Cromwell's ten year Commonwealth. The oak trees you see today were planted after the restoration of the Stuart Monarchy, the straight ridings through the trees creating a formal park.

Houghton Hall

The Houghton gardens received the “Garden of the Year Award” from Christies and the Historic Houses Association in recognition of the renovation of the 5-acre walled garden which began in 1991. The former kitchen garden had fallen into a state of disrepair and Lord Cholmondeley was keen to restore it as a memorial to his grandmother. An area for productive kitchen garden has been retained, the large part of the garden has been laid out as a series of ‘ornamental gardens’ in various styles.

Sandringham

Sandringham House is set in sixty acres of glorious gardens, perhaps the finest of all the Royal gardens. Every generation of the Royal Family which has lived here has added something of their own times and tastes, from the peace of the woodland walks to the drama of the carrstone rockeries, from the formality of the North Garden with its pleached lime avenues to the intimacy of the Stream Walk.

Lansdown Grove Hotel, Bath

Broadleas Gardens

The garden, favorably situated on greensand, was bought in 1946 by Lady Anne. Some fourteen years later work began in earnest, creating from a wilderness a valley garden that would not look out of place in Cornwall. Mature and semi mature Magnolias grow on each side of a steep Dell. Large specimens of Paulownia, Parrotia Styrax, Camellia and Rhododendron also flourish here.

Corsham Court Gardens

On acquiring Corsham House, as it was then known, in 1745, Paul Methuen set about not only re-modelling his mansion but also its setting. This affected the deer park, subsequently extended to the 350 acres comprising Corsham Park today and the grounds nearer the house maintained as formal gardens.

Great Chalfield Manor and Gardens

A 15th century manor with an Arts and Crafts garden designed by Alfred Parsons. Parsons was an English Painter (1847-1920) who lived for many years in the United States. Great Chalfield shows many signs of Parsons' excellent taste and attention to detail. The garden is reasonably well cared for by the National Trust but deserves the care of someone who loves flowers as well as Parsons.

Dyrham Park

Set in a beautiful Gloucestershire valley and surrounded by 110 hectares (274 acres) of garden and rolling parkland, this grand baroque house with spectacular sweeping views towards Bristol, was designed by Talman for William Blathwayt, Secretary at War during the reign of William III. Lavish 17th-century collections reflect the fashion for all things Dutch, including paintings and furniture. Later 18th-century additions include furniture by Gillow and Linnell, and the Victorian domestic quarters provide visitors with an intriguing insight into life below stairs.

Grand Atlantic Hotel, Weston-super-Mare

Hestercombe Gardens

Hestercombe is a unique collection of three gardens spanning three centuries of garden history and design. All have undergone acclaimed restoration works, and today provide important examples of gardens in contrasting styles that continue to grow and develop.

Jasmine Cottage

Jasmine Cottage is a privately owned garden, the owners maintain the garden themselves, and make many changes to the garden every year, lately they have altered a laid out a third-acre oblong plot into several 'rooms' with tall evergreen hedges many years ago from part of a larger garden. The garden is near the Bristol Channel and enjoys a fairly mild climate, although sometimes it is very windy. The soil is a free draining loam with a neutral pH. Which means a wide variety of plants can grow.

Clevedon Court

A fourteenth century house with a terraced garden, started by Sir Abraham Elton c1775. It has woods, herbaceous borders and a bowling green. Blomfield saw it as a good example of 'combined terrace and bank work'.

The Bishops Palace and Gardens

More than simply an historic house and garden, this splendid medieval Palace has been the home of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years. There are 14 acres of gardens including the springs from which the city takes its name. Visitors can also see the Bishop's private Chapel, ruined Great Hall and the Gatehouse with portcullis and drawbridge beside which the famous mute swans ring a bell for food.

Imperial Hotel, Exmouth

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens

Spanning nearly 300 years of horticultural history, these magnificent gardens are set in East Devon's picturesque Otter Valley, between the ancient city of Exeter and southwest England's Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The superbly landscaped park combines 18th century tranquillity with modern amenities to provide all year round enjoyment for every one of all ages including historic glasshouses, countryside museum, the Bicton Woodland Railway train ride, nature trail, maze, mini golf, ice-free skating, restaurant and shop.

Killerton

Killerton house is beautifully positioned on the flanks of a hill, surrounded by its glorious garden and overlooking parkland. It also has an extensive agricultural and wooded estate. There are numerous way marked circular walks, through a variety of habitats and landscapes. The garden is the great glory of Killerton. It was created in the 1770s by renowned nurseryman and landscape designer John Veitch, and features an abundance of rhododendrons, magnolias, herbaceous borders and rare trees, as well as an ice house and a rustic summerhouse (known as The Bear's Hut). There is a discovery centre near the stable courtyard and a packed programme of activities and events to enjoy all year round.

East Lambrook

A small fifteenth century manor house with a twentieth century cottage garden, made by Margery Fish. It is densely planted, with low clipped hedges forming compartments for herbaceous plants. Margery Fish had a particular interest in ground cover plants wrote a number of popular books based on her experience of making this garden. The East Lambrook Manor Gardens are being restored and hold the National Collection of Geraniums. There is a specialist plant nursery, tea shop and art gallery.

Knighthayes House and Gardens

Knightshayes Garden is one of the most enjoyable in Devon. A landscape of woodland and carefully arranged plantings of flowering shrubs creates a place of ever-changing vistas. There are a variety of amusing animal topiary and clipped hedges, spring bulbs, rare shrubs, a lily pool and excellent seasonal colours throughout. There are enjoyable walks through the mature woodlands surrounding the house.

Savoy Hotel, Bournemouth

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Established in 1765 by the first Countess of Ilchester as a kitchen garden for her nearby castle. Developed since then into a magnificent 20 acre garden filled with rare and exotic plants from all over the world. Many of these plants were first introductions to this country, discovered by the plant hunting descendants of the Countess. Since the restoration after the great storm of 1990 many new exotic and unusual plants have been introduced. The Garden is now a mixture of formal and informal, with charming walled garden walks and spectacular woodland valley views. World famous for its Camellia Groves and Magnolias, noted for its Rhododendron and Hydrangea collections. In summer it is awash with subtropical colour.

Compton Acres

Compton Acres invites you to escape to a different world. The new Compton Acres has more features than ever before. Compton Acres was built in 1929 and is a wonderful example of a historic garden in the UK. It is of late Victorian Mixed Style design with seven distinct gardens to wander around and enjoy, including the Italian Garden and the Japanese Garden.

Kingston Maurward Gardens

The parkland and pleasure gardens were originally laid out in the "Jardin Anglais" style popularised by 'Capability' Brown. Simplicity was the hallmark of the gardens, which consisted of rolling turf, carefully placed groups of trees, a lake and a lakeside temple. These and the lovely formal gardens have been carefully and sympathetically restored using 1930s photographs retaining the best features, but also introducing new ones. They now consist of a matrix of small gardens each with its own theme, tree trails, lakeside walks and a delightful walled garden.

Cranborne Manor Gardens

The garden surrounds the ancient Manor House. It is adjacent to the village of Cranborne and approached through the Garden Centre Walk through into the walled kitchen garden which is divided into four parts with apples in espalier under-planted with alpine strawberries. The path leads you towards the entrance to the Manor Garden. On either side each section is divided into four – one is flowers for picking, another is a collection of lavenders, the third is filled with vegetables round a circle of artichokes, and the last is full of sunflowers, under-planted with annual wild flowers.

Knoll Gardens

The four acre garden at Knoll is a show garden, featuring the specialist plants available in the nursery. One of the country's most extensive collections of grasses can be found within Knoll’s informal English setting, clearly demonstrating how grasses can work in the visual context of a real garden.

Mapperton Garden

The valley gardens at Mapperton reflect at least three periods of history. On the upper level, close to the house, is the Italianate garden laid out by Ethel Labouchere in her husband's memory in the 1920s, complete with grottoes, stone ornamental birds and animals and a fountain court. Below the wall and summer house are 17th century fish ponds. An orangery was added. The gardens contain many secret paths and walks.

Imperial Hotel, Tenby

Picton Castle and Woodland Gardens

Situated close to the Cleddau Estuary, known locally as the 'hidden waterway', Picton Castle comprises 40 acres of some of the most beautiful woodland gardens and grounds in West Wales. Soak up the special magic as you stroll beneath some of the largest and oldest trees in West Wales and discover woodland walks, ferns, a maze and abundant feasts of wild flowers that blend with unusual woodland shrubs from all corners of the world.

Aberglasney Gardens

A garden "lost in time", in the process of restoration. One of the interesting features is a yew tunnel planted in the 18th century. A cloister garden parapet allows you to walk along the top of the walls for views over the garden below.

National Botanical Gardens of Wales

The Great Glasshouse Collection represents thousands of plants from areas of the world which have a Mediterranean climate – central Chile, the south west of Australia, South Africa’s Cape, California, Canary Island’s and the Mediterranean Basin. The Double Walled Garden Collection tells the story of the evolution of flowering plants, the Apothecaries Garden Collection features herbal plants from around the world and the Wallace Garden Collection consists of natural plant mutations. The Woods of the World, planting which began in 2005, is made up of trees and shrubs from regions of the world.

Colby Woodlands

Set in a tranquil and secluded valley, this glorious informal woodland garden with a fascinating industrial past, offers a variety of walks along open and wooded pathways. Rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas and camellias, under planted with bluebells, provide spring colour. Later highlights are the summer hydrangeas and autumn foliage.