Gardens in Herefordshire

The rural border county of Herefordshire has been shaped by its position between England and Wales. Keeping the Welsh out (or the English in!), has resulted in some impressive Herefordshire homes and gardens.  

There are castles and mansions, fabulous gardens, collections of rare plants and fairytale properties.

Ralph Court Gardens 

This is a proper good day out and although it’s got ‘gardens’ in the name you don’t need to be a Monty Don to really enjoy it!   

There’s 15 individually themed gardens to have a look around. It’s a round the world trip where fantasy meets fuchsias and mystery meets magnolias! You’ll also find water-based gardens and a Jurassic themed garden with real dinosaurs (well, sort of!) 

Enjoying gardens is thirsty and hungry work. Luckily there are two eateries that continue the Ralph Court experience.  

Ralph Court Gardens

Just over half an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and about 50 minutes from Rockbridge, near the small town of Bromyard. 

Hampton Gardens  

(image Visit Herefordshire)

These gardens once formed part of the Hampton Court Castle estate but is now open independently.  

There’s plenty to explore for all ages in the gardens. A Victorian walled garden, a kitchen garden, a rose garden and a Dutch garden. There’s also a 1,000 tree Yew maze and lots of waterfalls and bridges.  

Hampton Gardens

Just over half an hour’s drive from all Discover Parks. 

Kenchester Water Gardens 

On the A49 just north of Hereford is Kenchester Water Gardens. It’s all about fish, ponds, tropical fish and all the paraphernalia you need to keep your fish going.  

The grounds include landscaped pools and ponds, all full of fish with fabulous waterside planting. With places to sit and relax, the sound of fountains and waterfalls adds to the tranquil feel.  

You can buy everything from goldfish to tench, koi to orfe. There’s a huge stock of aquariums for tropical keeping too. Even if you’re not going to buy, it’s a fascinating Aladdin’s cave of fishy stuff! 

One of the attractions of Kenchester is its Tea Rooms. From breakfast to morning coffee, light lunch to afternoon tea – it’s all fab homemade fare.

Kenchester Water Gardens

Kenchester Water Gardens are about half an hour’s drive from Arrow Bank and Pearl Lake and 45 minutes from Rockbridge. 

Hergest Croft Gardens   

(image Shutterstock)

Just on the edge of Kington, under Hergest Ridge, is Hergest Croft Gardens. These are stunning – and again, you don’t need to be a hard-core horticulturalist to have a thoroughly good time.  

The gardens cover 70 acres and are home to a number of national collections. There are rare trees and specimen shrubs at every turn.  

Dating back to the late 19^th century. There’s an estimated 5,000 specimens to see and miles of paths to walk. There are also 130 Champion Trees – recognised as among the tallest or broadest examples in the British Isles. There are formal borders, rockeries and woodland to explore too. 

Maples Tearoom provides a watering hole after you’ve seen the grounds. Maples is based in the house which is undergoing rebuilding work during the winter of 2025/26.

Hergest Croft Gardens

About a quarter of an hour drive from Arrow Bank and Pearl Lake and half an hour from Rockbridge.  

Brobury House and Gardens  

(image Visit Herefordshire)

Another of Herefordshire’s homes and gardens that changes with the season. Brobury House is a Victorian home built in the 1880’s.  The 8-acre gardens slope down to the River Wye by Bredwardine Bridge. Some of the original trees are still standing adding height and history to the terraced gardens.  

With great views of the River Wye the gardens themselves are full of water features. There’s a bog garden, a stream, formal pools and a water meadow. The whole horticultural spectrum is covered too. Discover ornamental borders, specimen trees (including paper birches and ancient oaks), flowering shrubs, and woodland paths. The walled garden is a particular favourite with pergola’s and seating.  

The Walled Garden Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, teas, coffees, homemade cakes and traditional afternoon tea. Sunday Roasts are als served  

Brobury House and Gardens

Brobury Gardens is about half an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and 45 minutes from Rockbridge.   

Hellens Manor 

On the edge of the village of Much Marcle is Hellens Manor and gardens.  

The Manor, which you must book if you want to go inside, dates back to the 12^th century. It’s one of the oldest, occupied houses in England. Grade II listed, Hellens has links to some of the most famous historical families.  

The gardens reflect the history of the manor and are designed along Jacobean and Tudor lines. There’s a walled knot garden, a Yew labyrinth and a rare octagonal dove cot. There’s also a physic garden with herbs historically used for medicinal purposes. You’ll also find lots of walks on the 150-acre site.  

As with most open gardens…there’s a tearoom! Homemade soups, cakes and jams are on offer. Local produce and eggs from Hellens own hens make the food unique.  

Hellens Manor

Hellens is a 45 minute drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and just under an hour from Rockbridge. 

Stockton Bury Gardens  

This is a North Herefordshire garden with a fascinating history. Stockton Bury has been in the same family for 5 generations and the gardens are situated on the working farm.  

The gardens have been developed by the current owner, Raymond Treasure and his partner, Gordon Fenn over half a century. It’s a very personal garden which has lots of quirks and unexpected twists.  

Covering just 4 acres, you’ll see lots of plants that you may not have encountered before. There’s also a small gardening museum linking horticulture with history. Among the highlights are a Victorian kitchen garden, a water garden, and a glasshouse, all set against the background of historic farming barns and buildings. There’s also a secret garden that needs a bit of searching out! 

And of course there’s a teashop – the Tythe Barn Cafe, overlooking the cider orchard.  

Stockton Bury Gardens

Stockton Bury is just 20 minutes from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and just over half an hour from Rockbridge.  

Old Court Nurseries and the Picton Garden 

If you love daisies then you’ll love Old Court! They’ve been specialist breeders of Michaelmas Daisies since the 1900s and have over 430 varieties on show. They also hold the national collection of European polypodiums which are very resilient ferns.  

This is a gardens and nursery, so much of what you see you can also buy.  

Old Court Nurseries

Old Court is an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and an hour and a quarter from Rockbridge.  

Belmont Abbey  

Belmont Abbey is a working Benedictine monastery to the east of Hereford city.  

The Abbey is open to the public from 6am until after final prayers in the late evening. Sitting on a bit of hill, there are uninterrupted views from the Abbey and churchyard towards the Black Mountains. You also get some decent views of Hereford city.  

Although the monastery gardens are private, small group tours, led by the monks, can be booked.  

A  shop selling religious and souvenir items is open most afternoons and on Sunday mornings. Belmont Abbey hosts a number of events during the year, details of which can be found on its website.  

Belmont Abbey

These are just a selection of the gardens you’ll find locally in Herefordshire – we also have some terrific castles and National Trust properties with beautiful parklands, grounds and gardens. Read our blogs to find out more.

Stay at Discover Parks

If you’re making your way to mooch around Herefordshire homes and gardens, then why not make Discover Parks your base for the full experience.

We have three distinct parks all in stunning settings. Choose a fully serviced touring pitch for your caravan or motorhome. Get back to nature on a grass tenting pitch surrounded by wildlife. Spend time in our wide selection of self catering accommodation with couples retreats and lush lodges.