14 beautiful gardens to visit around Suffolk, Essex & Cambridge this spring and summer

Henstead Exotic Garden, Southwold, Suffolk

The microclimate on this part of the Suffolk coast near Southwold works well for an array of tall growing exotic plants. It makes HEG a mini jungle and it has been praised by gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh. There’s also a nursery where you can buy home grown exotic plants to impress your green fingered friends. Pictured above.

Acer House, Leiston, Suffolk

A stunning collection of acers form the structure of this green retreat with topiary, trees a pond and shrubs completing the picture. Open on May 26 through the National Garden Scheme.

The Priory, Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk

Over the years this plot has gradually been extended  to nine acres and includes woodland, lawns, lakes and ornamental areas. You will find it in one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages near the border with Essex.
Open on May 19 through the NGS.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge

With its collection of over 8,000 plant species from across the world this is a place to enjoy wonderful landscapes and ever changing colours. It’s also a centre of teaching and research.

From rock and rose gardens to woodland with statuesque pines, a lake and a grass maze, there is so much to see. Pictured above.

Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens, near Colchester, Essex

Admired plantswoman Beth Chatto transformed an overgrown wasteland, deemed unfit for fruit farming, into a series of informal gardens at Elmstead Market, near Colchester. As the conditions within the garden vary widely, five distinct areas have been created providing useful examples of working with nature to find the right plant for the right place.

Fullers Mill, West Stow, Suffolk

Something of a hidden treasure nestling at the end of  a forest track in West Stow, near Bury St Edmunds. It’s an enchanting and tranquil seven-acre creation on the banks of the River Lark combining a beautiful light-dappled woodland with a plantsman’s collection of unusual shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants. It’s a place that truly offers year-round interest.

Helmingham Hall, near Stowmarket, Suffolk

Home of the Tollemache family and spectacular Grade 1 listed gardens. Stroll through the Apple Tree Walk plus the beautifully kept Rose and Knot gardens. Admire the colourful summer borders and parterre.

You’ll find it not far from Stowmarket in Suffolk. Pictured above.

Felbrigg Hall, South West of Cromer, Norfolk

Pay a visit to this country house and gardens not far from Cromer for the delightful walled garden with double flower borders, trained fruit trees and an octagonal dovecote. Nearby is the 380 acres Great Wood containing beech, oak, sweet chestnut, hawthorn and sycamore.

Squires Barn, St. Cross South Elmham, Suffolk

A garden of three acres with views over surrounding countryside. Raised vegetable beds, an orchard, greenhouse and fruit cage. There is also a large ornamental pond with water lilies, fish and a waterfall. A wildflower mound, island beds of mixed planting and a range of mature and younger trees. A recent addition is a swimming pool area. Open on June 30 through the NGS. Pictured above.

The Place For Plants, East Bergholt, Essex

Family run plant centre, garden and cafe.

Perhaps best seen in spring the 20-acre plot and arboretum is known for its magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons.

The waterside walk is worth doing.

Open on April 28 as part of the NGS.

Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

A midsummer treat for West Suffolk garden lovers. The town has many fine historic buildings but this event, held on Sunday June 30, gives the public the chance to discover secret patios, lawns and borders behind facades and high walls. All the gardens are in the town centre (there are around 30 in all) and within walking distance of each other. Money raised from the openings goes to St Nicholas Hospice Care.