SIX OF THE BEST

Six gardens around the UK are hoping to be crowned Historic Houses’ Garden of The Year 2024. The annual competition, run by the Historic Houses Association (HHA) in partnership with auctioneers Christie’s, has shortlisted top gardens from England, Scotland and Wales for the public vote. Among those vying for the accolade is London’s Chelsea Physic Garden. Founded in 1673 by The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, it became world famous for its botanical work and plant exchange and is the only botanic garden focused on medicinal, herbal and useful plants.

The 23-acre garden at 16th century Holker Hall in Cumbria has seen successive generations of the Cavendish family develop a unique plant collection, complete with Woodland Garden and water features such as a cascade, fountain and lily pool, while at Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens, 38 acres of gardens at the former Catholic seminary have been brought back to life by a band of volunteers without the aid of machinery.

Laid out between 1904 and 1908, the spectacular gardens around historic Hever Castle in Kent showcase an Italianate garden, rose garden, grottoes and a 38-acre lake. Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, has two acres of formal lawns and flowerbeds; the rest are park and woodland in one of Scotland’s best-designed landscapes.

Finally, at Picton Castle in Pembrokeshire, 50 acres of gardens are owned by a dedicated trust, containing a formal Walled Garden, two ice houses and cascades and woodland gardens.

To vote visit historichouses. org/vote-goty