With the recent announcement of the opening of the King Charles III coastal path, which stretches around 2,700 miles worth of coastline, there has never been a more opportune time to visit the UK’s most glorious coastal gardens.
From the beautifully lush planting of South-Western gardens like Cornwall’s Trebah, to the spectacular cliffside views from Overbecks in Salcombe, and the verdant greenery of Lip na Cloiche on the Isle of Mull, the mix of planting that flourishes by the shore is truly spectacular.
If you’re planning a coastal getaway now that the sun has arrived, be sure to make a note of our list of the UK’s most dazzling coastal gardens.
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One of the biggest blessings of my career writing about exquisite gardens was trips to Cornwall. Staying at The Nare during their enchanting spring garden break, I’ve been privileged to explore the painstakingly restored Lost Gardens of Heligan, walk amongst the Camellia sinensis that grow wonderfully in Tregothnan, and make the most delicious tea I’ve ever drunk (and I’ve tried quite a few in my time). Trebah is another extraordinary subtropical coastal garden that boasts a private beach that emerges from a steep wooded valley. With tree ferns, bamboo and exotic palms, along with breathtaking magnolias and rhododendrons in spring, this Cornish garden is not one to miss.
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The Salcombe estuary is a breathtaking expanse, and sat high above it is Overbeck’s Garden, which is bursting with one of the most renowned plant collections in the South West. There are salvias, citrus plants and, of course, the most remarkable of views across the coastline. Overbeck also boasts unusual sculptures hidden throughout the garden. It’s not especially large, but with so much variety and beauty, this ‘hidden paradise’ is sure to become a favourite.
Surrounded by the magnificent rocky shorelines and woodlands, this coastal landscape boasts a selection of hardy plants, grasses, and shrubs, with sheltered ornamental planting that provides the most distinctive textures and colours throughout the year. There are lots of fantastic walking routes, and the incredible vistas make Lip na Cloiche a must-see.
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Located in the Scottish highlands near Loch Ewe, Inverewe was established in the 19th Century by Osgood Mackenzie. The garden benefits from warm Atlantic currents from the Gulf Stream, and so eucalyptus, rhododendrons and woodland plants thrive in this extraordinary scenery. The nearby mountains offer the most literary and spellbinding of views across Scotland’s much-beloved western coastline.
Near Dartmouth, this magnificent Arts and Crafts house has a coastal valley garden that is stunningly planted with subtropical plants, including bananas, tree ferns, agapanthus, and palms, and its winding paths take you on a fantastic jaunt through beautiful borders to catch a sight of the English Channel at the viewpoint. The history is fascinating too, Coleton Fishacre was built as a holiday retreat for the D’Oyly Carte family in the 1920s. A late spring or early summer visit is worth it.
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Another magnificent Cornish garden that I adore is Trelissick, which is nestled on the peninsula overlooking the Fal Estuary, providing the most sublime of views. There is a rich collection of spring and summer favourites like magnolias and rhododendrons that thrive in this mild climate, and the woodland walks make it a place of adventure that draws families and artists to enjoy this beautiful Cornwall estate. Try Crofers Café for a delicious afternoon tea.
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The home of the Londonderry family, and cared for by the National Trust, Mount Stewart has one of the finest Arts and Crafts-like gardens that was created by Edith, Lady Londonderry, in the early 20th century and was built on a pre-existing historic 18th and 19th century landscape. The mild maritime climate supports many tender species that are not so commonly seen in Northern Ireland. Rhododendrons and azaleas are a particular highlight in spring. And the Italian terrace is truly breathtaking.
The Walled Garden | Photo credit: Holkham Estate
Holkham Hall, an eighteenth-century Palladian-style mansion with its imposing sandstone grandeur, is truly astonishing. Under the care of Head Gardener Mark Morrell, The Walled Garden at Holkham is a gem for those with a horticultural head. Over the course of fourteen years, Mark and his dedicated team of gardeners and sixty volunteers have painstakingly restored Samuel Wyatt’s 1780 design, marrying modern innovations and historical discoveries together to create a vibrant, colourful and productive six acres that boasts a kitchen garden, an ornamental garden, a vineyard, a cutting garden and a frame yard.
A very pretty seaside garden, this award-winning plot has been featured on Gardener’s World and George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds. Driftwood Garden is a popular garden to visit as part of the NGS in Seaford, East Sussex. It cleverly uses a drought-tolerant planting and coastal textures in marvellously artistic ways. The landscape has been inspired by the Mediterranean and is a masterclass in sustainability, too. If you’re searching for inspiration for a contemporary coastal planting scheme, it offers it in abundance.
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A garden that was once woodland and planted to provide cover for game animals for shooting, in 1944, Colonel Sir James Horlick arrived and began a project to create a home for rare and exotic plants. Achamore Garden is now cared for under community ownership. The gardens benefit from the warming effects of the Gulf Stream, which creates wonderful conditions for palms, tree ferns, and rare rhododendrons. As you walk through the grounds, you will encounter winding woodland paths, sheltered glades, and dramatic bursts of flowering shrubs framed by Atlantic light and hearty sea air.
If you boast a coastal garden yourself and are still perplexed about what to plant, some popular plants include Griselinia littoralis, available from Crocus, which is an evergreen hedge with brilliant wind tolerance, and Escallonia, also available from Crocus. Lavandula angustifolia from Gardener’s Express will also thrive in coastal air, and Achillea millefolium is a brilliant drought-tolerant choice.
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