(main image - RHS Garden Hyde Hall)

National Gardening Week is the UK's biggest annual celebration of gardening, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, the UK’s largest gardening charity. This year it runs from Monday 1st to Sunday 7th May 2023. And, to celebrate His Majesty King Charles III, the theme is to ‘create your coronation container’.

Why not use National Gardening Week as an excuse to book a stay at one of our 5 Star Essex lodges and get your dose of Vitamin G at these top six gardens...

Step back in time at historic gems like Bridge End and Easton Lodge, lovingly restored to their former glory. Reflect awhile at Beth Chatto’s water garden with its huge gunnera towering above a hundred shades of emerald. Breathe in the heady scents of the Mediterranean Garden at Hyde Hall and get carried away to distant shores. Drink in the vistas at Audley End with its ‘Capability’ Brown vision of temples and lakes. Planted with an artist’s eye, all are inspiring.

Beth Chatto Gardens

Above: Wakes Hall Lodges; below: Beth Chatto Gardens by Grahamec

A triumph of inspirational planting in every condition, these beautiful gardens were created 50 years ago by garden writer Beth Chatto. From the large gravel garden filled with drought resistant plants to stunning sunny borders, a dramatic water garden and dry woodland shade, inspirational plantings throughout illustrate not only the importance of choosing the right plant for the right place but also how to mix plant forms to their best advantage – with truly spectacular results.
Find out more: Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead Market CO7 7DB. www.bethchatto.co.uk 

RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Above: RHS Garden Hyde Hall by Karen Roe; below: Wakes Hall Lodges grounds & living space

This stunningly-planted 24-acre garden, with its sweeping panoramas and big open skies, is one of four RHS gardens in the country and is packed with year-round interest. Highlights include the popular Dry Garden with its Mediterranean plantings, scented Rose Garden, tranquil fish-filled pools, Australian Garden and the vast colour-themed herbaceous border, guaranteed to inspire. An excellent programme of holiday activities make it a great day out for both plant lovers and families.
Find out more: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Chelmsford CM3 8ET. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

Green Island Gardens

Above: Wakes Hall Lodges grounds & deck; below: Green Island Gardens by Paul Farmer

This beautifully-designed 20-acre garden is a true plantsman’s paradise, brimming with unusual trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. Japanese, seaside, water, gravel, woodland – there are gardens here on every theme. Spring highlights include the camellias and azaleas in the woodland garden, carpeted with flowers.
Find out more: Green Island Gardens, Ardleigh CO7 7SP. www.greenislandgardens.co.uk
 

The Gardens of Easton Lodge

Above: The Gardens of Easton Lodge by Acabashi; below: Wakes Hall Lodges lake & bedroom

This idyllic Grade II-listed haven, designed by Harold Peto for renowned hostess and mistress of Edward VII, the Countess of Warwick, had almost entirely disappeared before restoration began in 1973 and includes many historic features.
Find out more: The Gardens of Easton Lodge, Great Dunmow CM6 2BB. www.eastonlodge.co.uk

Bridge End Garden

Above:Wakes Hall Lodges bedroom & hot tub; below: Bridge End Garden by Keith Evans

Tucked away in the back streets of pretty Saffron Walden, this lovingly restored Grade II gem consists of seven interlinked gardens laid out in the nineteenth century, and features a formal knot garden, kitchen garden and a popular hedge maze. Crammed with medieval houses, antique shops and galleries, Saffron Walden also features outstanding examples of pargetting – a decorative plasterwork. Make sure you pay a visit to the Fry Art Gallery and Saffron Walden’s turf maze, the largest of its type in the world.
Find out more: Bridge End Garden, Saffron Walden CB10 1HR. www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk

Audley End House and Gardens

Above: Audley End House and Gardens; below: Wakes Hall Lodges grounds & exterior

Experience a real life period drama above and below stairs at this decadent mansion, built to entertain royalty. Meet the staff in the service wing, see the children’s stories brought to life in the nursery and explore the beautiful rolling parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown. A great historic day out, a highlight of any visit is the behind-the-scenes look into the palatial stable block, complete with resident horses and Victorian groom.
Find out more: Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF. www.english-heritage.org.uk/audley

The getaway not far away

Above: Wakes Hall Lodges grounds & living space; below: Exterior of our lodges

For a complete change of pace, take a luxury escape to our 5 Star Essex lodges for National Gardening Week. Tucked away in an ancient meadow in the breathtaking Colne Valley in their very own bucolic setting, green-fingered visitors will certainly not be disappointed. Take long countryside walks in the 500 acres of rolling private grounds, with undisturbed woodland full of flora and fauna and a stunning two-acre fishing lake stocked with carp and rudd. And after your busy day, unwind on your decked veranda with bubbling hot tub, designed to make the best of the unbroken lake and countryside views.
Find out more: Wakes Hall Lodges (sleep 2 - 6), Wakes Colne, near Colchester. The lodges are next door to each other and group bookings can also be accommodated.