Monty Don has recently decided to focus on some of the UK’s top gardens, having previously travelling around the world looking at some of the finest green spaces around
Matt Jackson Trendswatch Content Editor
14:43, 02 Apr 2026
Monty Don has named a garden in Northern Ireland as one of the best in the UK(Image: PA)
Monty Don has named a Northern Irish garden as one of the best in the United Kingdom. The 70-year-old has a lifelong passion for horticulture and has travelled the world looking at some of the finest spaces.
But Gardeners’ World star Monty admits he hasn’t given “the same attention to the gardens on my doorstep”. He says many of his visits to gardens across the UK have been a “one-off” and comes without a “narrative or plan”.
It prompted Monty to wonder what the top gardens in the UK are. Having given the topic consideration, he declared Mount Stewart in Newtownards as one of the top spaces.
In the BBC Gardener’s World Magazine, he said: “The Italian Garden remains the most impressive and famous set piece. You go down broad steps to what had been sloping lawns, but which 20 ex-servicemen levelled to make a large parterre.
“It is in two halves, each mirroring the other in layout but not planting, and between the two is a round lily pond. Standing with your back to the house, facing south with the great sweep of steps behind you, the plants on the right-hand side, facing east are reds and pinks, with mauve and silver, inspired by the rising sun.
Monty is a fan of Mount Stewart(Image: navorolphotography via Getty Images)
“Those on the left, facing west, reflect the colours of the setting sun, with purples, burgundies and oranges.”
The house at Mount Stewart has long been considered a ‘home’ for the Londonderry family. Having been passed through the generations, it has always remained true to its historical roots.
It has created a house that still appears today like a family home, the National Trust explains. The garden, often considered one of the finest in the world, is described as an “arts and crafts-like garden”.
It was a personal creation of Edith Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart, the Marchioness of Londonderry. Her early 20th century additions built on the garden that was established earlier in the 18th and 19th century landscapes.
The Sunk Garden at Mount Stewart, County Down. Mount Stewart has been voted one of the world’s top ten gardens, and reflects the design and artistry of its creator, Edith, Lady Londonderry.
The Stewart family acquired the property in 1744 and planted woodlands, made estate roads, bridle paths, follies and farmland since then. The fine buildings on the site, including the stables and walled gardens are considered “architectural gems”.
Mount Stewart, which was once added onto a tentative list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also home to a vast array of wildlife. Its demesne is one of the few strongholds for the native red squirrel.
The Temple of the Winds, built on the site, is an 18th century Grade-I listed building. It was built in 1786 by Robert Stewart as a banqueting hall, modelled off the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Greece.
The Temple of the Winds at the Mount Stewart Estate(Image: Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn 2014/Getty Images)
Considered a pioneer of neo-Greek architecture in Europe, Robert saw, sketched and measured the original Greek tower while on tour, recreating it at Mount Stewart. The tower boasts a vaulted basement and tunnel leading to a wine cellar and scullery.
Mount Stewart was donated to the National Trust by Lady Mairi Bury in 1977. She lived in the house up until her death, aged 88, in 2009.
Entry to Mount Stewart costs £16 for adults during the peak season and £8 for children. During the off-peak season, prices are £13 for adults and £6.50 for children.
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