"O, Tiger-Lily, I wish you could talk!" says Alice in the Garden of Live Flowers. "We can talk," it replies, "when there's anybody worth talking to." - Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass (1871)
Young Alice's sentiment continues to ring true today. Sometimes, our deepest craving is simply to be outdoors, immersed in nature, and far, far away from the freneticism of daily life. It is with this spirit of rejuvenation in mind that we turn our attention to Britain's most captivating garden getaways this summer.
While the siren call of a sun-drenched beach holiday is hard to resist, these botanical breaks offer a different type of restoration. Whether you dream of sleeping amid a canopy of leaves, picnicking among wildflowers, drifting across a lake, or simply basking in meditative silence, a garden escape provides the perfect opportunity to unwind. And who knows, you might just find flowers willing to engage in conversation – provided you bring along the right company, of course.
The Hatch
Arriving at this thatched home in Crantock, you expect the humidity of hot air to hit your face, akin to disembarking a plane in the tropics. A wealth of succulents and palms surge forth from the earth as they stretch for the sun, creating a heady maze that wouldn’t look out of place in the Eden Project. Yet, this horticultural oasis is in Cornwall, despite the hammock in a concealed Balinese hut, beckoning you to drop everything and succumb to its gentle sway. Complete with a shimmering koi-carp pond and inviting orangery, the parasol-shaded table is the perfect place to revel in the exoticism of this unusual pocket – bonus points for spotting the fairy sculpture hidden in the greenery.
Verte
Childhood fantasies reach dazzling new heights at this RIBA award-winning treehouse in Devon, which seems to have organically sprouted from the glade that surrounds it. At this architectural diorama, the well-worn notion of indoor-outdoor living finds its purest expression, as the structure's wraparound windows place you squarely within the natural world, delicate catkins brushing the glass as if to welcome you. Beyond the walls, two serene ponds, connected by a cascading waterfall, beckon with rowing boats for languid jaunts or peaceful floating, a good book in hand. Nearby, a large, flat lawn calls for a nostalgically British game of croquet.
Forestkeepers
A cattle grid commands you to pause before making your way along the meandering driveway that guides you through nearly an acre of impeccably manicured gardens – the threshold to this Hampshire retreat. Vibrant flower and shrub beds burst with colour throughout the seasons, while a canopy of mature trees ensures privacy year-round. At the rear of the property, a large paddock featuring a treehouse connected to a thrilling 30-metre zipline will raucously delight children (and the young-at-heart), while you’ll also find a private gate connecting you to the pony-scattered expanse of the New Forest. When you've had your fill of exploring, retreat to the heated swimming pool, or seek respite in one of the garden's secluded courtyards.
Tangle Belle
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise... not bears, but Tangle Belle, an enchanting cottage where duck-egg-blue clapboard meets exposed stonework and a Hansel and Gretel-style paved path winds out of the trees to the doorstep. You can only access this fairytale nook near Helford by fording the stream or crossing the little stone bridge, hidden among towering firs and ancient beeches on the edge of a historic private estate. A true labour of love, the owners battled the brambles of time for 11 years, meticulously untangling a wilderness which now hosts a sun-mottled deck, riverside seating, and a fire circle.
Morwell
Nature sets the soundtrack in this wild, 50-acre haven. Here, a forested hillside envelopes heritage orchards and water meadows, with the snaking River Tamar creating an island-like allure to this hidden-away manor. Morwell's garden is a more tamed affair, with lovely lawns beckoning games of petanque under the open sky, and wildflowers making for perfect picnic companions. After a morning spent languidly sipping coffee amid the hum of bees, venture out to explore the miles of hiking trails and cycling routes that lead straight from your door. Return for a riverside gin fizz beneath a Battenburg-coloured umbrella, kingfishers hovering in the fading sunlight, and perhaps the odd otter gliding by. Finally, it's time to dive into that natural outdoor pool.
Dragonwood Boat House
Set within a 60-acre private estate in Rutland, Dragonwood peers out from a clearing between a glassy lake and thick woodland. Approached by a private road, the property's exterior seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship – local ironstone, cut stone, and slate – with its natural surroundings. Wander the resplendent gardens, where over 10,000 tulips and daffodils burst into bloom each spring, stumbling upon the occasional lichen-spotted statue as you stroll. Kayak across the lake, cast a line from the jetty, or enjoy a leisurely spread at the table by the river, complete with finger sandwiches and a Victoria sponge. Wash it down with Earl Grey and champagne cocktails; the idyllic setting, framed by a weeping willow, invites you to fall into a scene plucked straight from the pages of Austen.
Feeling inspired? Read about our home-to-home hikes in our new summer pilgrimages, discover where to go on safari on home soil, or browse the full collection of luxury homes in the UK and Ireland.
