Burghley has won the 2026 Garden of the Year Award

Name: Burghley House
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The gardens at Burghley House have been named Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2026, winning the prestigious award sponsored by Christie's following a public vote.

The award, presented annually by Christie's since 1984, celebrates some of the country's most spectacular gardens. Burghley was selected by public vote, beating five other shortlisted properties from across the UK.

Over the past eight years, Head Gardener Joe Whitehead has reshaped the gardens, introducing more than 100,000 plant and bulbs and managing them on organic principles that let wildlife flourish alongside the planting. He leadsa team of five full-time and two part-time gardeners, supported by 20 volunteers.

Visitors can explore two distinct yet complementary spaces. The Sculpture Garden sets contemporary sculpture among sweeping borders and wildflower drifts, with long views across Capability Brown's great lake, while the Garden of Surprises, based on sixteenth-century records of a garden by the 1st Lord Burghley, unfolds as a sequence of spaces animated by water, sound and movement.

Burghley Gardens Sculpture Garden Rememberance Borders 1

"What a year of anticipation, collaboration, extra sharp lawn edges and polished borders, and now huge excitement! The gardens team and I were honoured to be shortlisted, but to win this most prestigious of awards is something else!

For us, we are here to make the gardens sing and our visitors smile. That’s our reward and that’s what matters to us. Thank you very much from the whole team to all who visit and enjoy the gardens, and to everyone who voted.”

Joe Whitehead | Head Gardener

Burghley House was built in the sixteenth century by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, and remains a lived-in family home. Today, it is owned by the Burghley House Preservation Trust, a charity committed to the conservation and preservation of the House and Estate for all to enjoy. Its gardens sit within historic parkland designed by renowned landscape architect Capability Brown.

From their beginnings under William Cecil to the lasting influence of Capability Brown, Burghley has long been a place of thoughtful garden making.

"The team at Burghley are extremely passionate about the gardens there and you can see it in every corner. They have kept a garden with centuries of history feeling fresh and full of surprises, and worked tirelessly to engage the public. They are very worthy winners of this year’s public vote.”

Ursula Cholmeley | Chair of Historic Houses Committee

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Burghley's award-winning gardens in 2027, when they reopen for February half term from 13–21 February, ahead of the full season reopening on 6 March 2027. The gardens are currently approaching their seasonal winter closure, with the final open weekend on 14 and 15 November.

The award is a wonderful recognition of the work of the Gardens team and the continued appeal of Burghley's gardens to visitors.

Further information about the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award can be found here.

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