For those looking for a fun, floral day out, here is a list of the best peony spots in the UK that are perfect for a spring picnic.
Emilia Randall GAU Writer
11:58, 08 May 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The peonies typically bloom from late May to early June(Image: Penshurst Place and Gardens)
With the peony season lasting just eight short weeks, their arrival marks one of the most anticipated and fleeting moments in the spring calendar.
And this year, it’s landing at the perfect time, as the sun starts to come out. As a bonus, the top spot is just an hour’s drive from Canterbury, but there are spots all over the UK with Bloom & Wild sharing the best places to see the beautiful pink peonies in bloom alongside scenic spots ideal for relaxed, picnic-led days out.
Peonies are a national treasure and a spring favourite for many, with people buying them for themselves twice as much as any other flower, according to the flower experts.
Penshurst Place & Gardens, Kent
Peonies are only in bloom for eight weeks(Image: Xinhua/Shutterstock)
One of the most striking peony displays in the UK, featuring a 100-metre-long border filled with soft pinks, whites and heritage varieties like Sarah Bernhardt, this is a romantic setting, ideal for a spring walk.
The peonies typically bloom from late May to early June, but peony fans and Kent residents can sign up to Penshurst’s ‘peony alert list’ for updates about the peony border’s progress to find out when they’re in early bloom, and when they’re about to hit their peak.
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire
Home to a standout peony border developed with Kelways Nursery, showcasing around 70 varieties arranged as a timeline from early selections to modern hybrids. Visitors can see everything from classic herbaceous and tree peonies to lots of other varieties, known for combining the best of both in a vibrant mix of colours.
Spetchley Park Gardens, Worcestershire
Home to one of the largest private collections of peonies in Britain, these gardens offer something a little less polished and more atmospheric. Expect sweeping displays, flowering trees and a sense of quiet magic, with plants originally collected by famed horticulturists, including Ernest Wilson.
Peonies are in their prime in mid May(Image: Getty Images)
University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Bristol
A hidden gem for late spring blooms, offering a quieter, more intimate setting. In the Chinese Herb Garden, a dedicated peony display blends botanical significance with the design of traditional Suzhou gardens.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge
Known for its diverse and historic plant collections, including standout varieties such as Paeonia suffruticosa. A peaceful spot to see blooms up close in a more curated setting.
Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield
A northern favourite for seasonal colour, where the Three Island Beds evolve beautifully across spring and summer. Early bulbs give way to blush-toned peonies, alongside poppies, roses and geraniums, before later-season textures take over.
Comments are closed.