The Gardens

The enchanting Garden Of Surprises is inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology, astronomy and Classical civilisations, originally built by the 1^st Lord Burghley. Hidden from the outside, the gardens are waiting to reveal their surprises to those who enter.

Watch the tranquil water features as fountains bubble and a gentle rill winds its way, disappearing into Neptune’s shell grotto. Peer into the misty depths of the moss house, venture through the mirrored maze and find yourself at the centre of the world using the longitudinal dial.

Viewed from the windows of the State Rooms above, these private gardens offer a splash of colour and an injection of formality into Capability Brown’s Arcadian and sweeping vistas. The gardens are dominated by some spectacular trees, the most prominent being the Tilia platyphyllos or large-leafed lime on the west, believed to be layered from the original planted in the 16th century and the mature oak, planted by Queen Victoria during her visit in 1844.

The yew hedges and topiary were added from the 19th century in a bid to reinstate some sense of a formal parterre after so much of the original 17th century garden was boldly swept away during Brown’s tenure at Burghley as Landscape Designer and Architect. Nineteenth century Blashfield terracotta urns form the centrepieces of the restored fountains. The rose garden is planted with modern varieties of rose from David Austin which are free-flowering and highly scented.

The South Gardens are open on selected dates through the year - keep an eye on our social media for information.