Things to see and do in the garden

See the Gertrude Jekyll Garden in full bloom

Ablaze with summer colour and fragrance, Gertrude Jekyll designed it to be at its very best while Edward Hudson was enjoying his holiday home; look out for the dropped wall offering Edward and his visitors to admire the garden.

In July and August particularly, the garden is a riot of colour, with eight varieties of sweet pea filling the garden with a sweet scent and tall crimson hollyhock give height to the garden. Look out for the lavatera and chrysanthemum adorning the pathways, laid out by Lutyens. During September, gladioli and sedum add to the spectacle.

Explore

This tranquil garden was created by Gertrude ‘Bumps’ Jekyll on the site of a vegetable patch that once provided the castle’s soldiers with food.

It’s a peaceful place to sit and admire the view and listen to the bees buzzing from bloom to bloom in the summer, or watch the flocks of wading birds and geese flying past the castle during the winter months.

If you spot a plant that you love and would like to take home with you to your own garden, the chances are we will have it in the plant section of the shop in the village.

Preserving Jekyll's vision

Jekyll's original planting scheme was restored by the Trust in 2003. With its geometric layout of paths and beds, the garden is always interesting to look round.

The combination of hardy annuals, colourful perennials and heritage vegetables provide glorious sights and scents in the summer and a leafy, sheltered oasis all year round. It's green, sustainable and wildlife friendly.