(main image - RHS Garden Hyde Hall)

The driest county in Britain, Essex’s gently rolling landscapes speckled with picturesque villages have inspired many gardeners through the centuries to work their magic.

Garden-lovers can enjoy memorable days out at these Essex gardens during a stay at our 5 Star Essex lodges. Our 10 green-fingered glories are all less than an hour’s drive away.

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.

Bring a picnic. Enjoy the views. Whenever you visit, each season brings its charms – from secret bluebell glades and blowsy summer borders to autumn’s fiery hues.

Elsewhere, smaller gardens and private plots open under the National Gardens Scheme beckon exploration. Together with a plethora of countryside events, from food markets to village flower festivals, they offer a great insight into traditional country life.

Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum

Choose from a range of trails at this 200-acre estate, set around a formal lake. With an 18th-century walled garden, exotic trees, play area and leafy woodland walks, it’s a beautiful place to witness the changing seasons.
Find out more: Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum, Coggeshall CO6 1TG 
www.markshall.org.uk - 13 minutes’ drive from our Essex luxury lodges.

Green Island Gardens

Image 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 - 28 minutes’ drive from our 5 Star Essex lodges.

Beth Chatto Gardens

Image 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 - 30 minutes’ drive from our Essex holiday lodges.

The Gardens of Easton Lodge

Image by Acabashi

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 - 36 minutes’ drive from our Essex luxury lodges.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Image by Karen Roe

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 - 48 minutes’ drive from our 5 Star Essex lodges.

The Gibberd Garden

Image by Lynda Poulter

Every turn takes in a new work of art at these intriguing gardens designed by Harlow’s architect Sir Frederick Gibberd, where woodland glades, pools and allées provide settings for some 50 sculptures, ceramic pots, quirky structures and items of architectural salvage. Gibberd’s own highly individual garden is recognised as an important contribution to 20th-century garden design.
Find out more: The Gibberd Garden, Harlow CM17 0NA 
www.thegibberdgarden.co.uk - 51 minutes’ drive from our Essex holiday lodges.

Bridge End Garden

Image 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 - 53 minutes’ drive from our Essex luxury lodges.

Audley End House and Gardens

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 – 54 minutes’ drive from our 5 Star Essex lodges.

Waltham Abbey Gardens

Image by LeeValleyRegionalPark

Set in the grounds of once one of the most powerful Augustinian abbeys in the country, these peaceful rose gardens and adjoining orchard are the perfect spot for a picnic and a stroll along Cornmill Stream, an important habitat for dragonflies. Nearby, the previously top-secret Royal Gunpowder Mills make for a historic visit.
Find out more: Waltham Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey EN9 1RD 
www.visitleevalley.org.uk - 56 minutes’ drive from our 
Essex holiday lodges.

Myddleton House Gardens

Image by Rictor Norton & David Allen

Inspired by his love of unusual and exotic plants, E A Bowles, one of England’s most famous self-taught gardeners, spent his life creating the eight acres of enchanting gardens at Myddelton. Full of quirky touches they provide a tranquil place to wander.
Find out more: Myddleton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield EN2 9HG 
www.visitleevalley.org.uk - 58 minutes’ drive from our Essex luxury lodges.

The getaway not far away

For a complete change of pace, take a luxury escape to our 5 Star Essex lodges, situated in the breath-taking Colne Valley in their very own bucolic setting. Green-fingered visitors will certainly not be disappointed, and rest and relaxation is guaranteed!