Best Blooming Summer Gardens To Visit In Southern England

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Summer is one of the best times to explore Southern England’s beautiful gardens. From colourful herbaceous borders and tranquil lakes to historic estates and woodland walks, there is something for every gardening enthusiast, family or sightseeing group.

Whether you’re organising a day out with friends, a gardening society, a retirement group or an extended family gathering, travelling together by coach or minibus makes the journey simple, comfortable and stress-free.

Instead of coordinating several cars and searching for parking, everyone can relax and enjoy the day from the moment they leave home when you hire a coach. Here are some of the finest gardens to visit this summer.

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey

One of Britain’s most famous gardens, RHS Garden Wisley is a must-visit destination during July and August. Covering more than 240 acres, it offers stunning displays of roses, mixed borders, exotic planting, glasshouses and peaceful woodland.

Summer is when Wisley truly comes alive, with colourful floral displays attracting gardeners from across the UK. Visitors can also enjoy cafés, garden centres and regular seasonal events. Its excellent accessibility also makes it ideal for organised coach groups.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, Sissinghurst Castle Garden is renowned for its elegant garden rooms and distinctive planting schemes.

The famous White Garden is particularly beautiful throughout the summer months, while climbing roses, lavender and colourful borders provide endless inspiration for keen gardeners.

Groups can easily spend several hours exploring both the gardens and the surrounding estate.

Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

Although famous for its autumn colours, Sheffield Park is equally impressive during the summer. Designed by Capability Brown, the landscape features lakes, sweeping lawns, mature trees and vibrant flower displays.

Visitors enjoy peaceful walks, wildlife spotting and spectacular reflections across the water. Its wide paths also make it suitable for visitors of all ages.

Great Dixter House & Gardens, East Sussex

For those who love bold planting combinations and naturalistic garden design, Great Dixter is one of Southern England’s most inspiring destinations.

Created by legendary gardener Christopher Lloyd, the gardens showcase colourful borders, meadows, topiary and exotic planting that constantly changes throughout the growing season. Garden enthusiasts often leave with fresh ideas for their own outdoor spaces.

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, West Sussex

Leonardslee combines beautiful woodland, lakes and formal gardens within a historic estate. During summer, visitors can enjoy peaceful walks surrounded by mature trees, sculptures and wildlife.

The estate also offers cafés and picnic areas, making it ideal for relaxed group visits. Its combination of landscaped gardens and natural scenery appeals to both keen gardeners and casual visitors alike.

Exbury Gardens, Hampshire

Located on the edge of the New Forest, Exbury Gardens offers over 200 acres of stunning landscapes.

Although famous for its spring displays, summer visitors enjoy colourful perennial borders, ornamental lakes, woodland walks and the charming steam railway that runs through the estate.

Families, photography groups and gardening clubs all find plenty to enjoy throughout the day.

Mottisfont, Hampshire

Mottisfont is particularly well known for its spectacular rose gardens. In early and mid-summer, the historic walled garden bursts into colour with fragrant old-fashioned roses growing alongside herbaceous planting and mature trees.

The estate also features riverside walks, art exhibitions and a historic house, making it a varied day out for groups.

Why coach travel makes garden visits easier

Many of Southern England’s most popular gardens attract large numbers of visitors during the summer months, making parking busy and sometimes limited.

Travelling together by coach or minibus offers several advantages:

Everyone arrives together
No need to organise multiple vehicles
Less stress navigating unfamiliar roads
Reduced parking concerns
More environmentally friendly than several separate cars
Ideal for garden clubs, community groups and family gatherings

Passengers can simply enjoy the journey while someone else takes care of the driving.

Planning your summer garden tour

Many groups choose to combine two nearby attractions into a full-day itinerary. For example, a morning visit to a historic garden can be followed by lunch in a nearby village before exploring another local attraction.

Planning ahead is especially worthwhile during the summer holidays, when many popular gardens experience higher visitor numbers. Booking transport early also helps ensure your preferred vehicle size is available.

Get in touch for coach or minibus hire

If you’re planning a visit to one or more of Southern England’s beautiful gardens this summer, our coach and minibus hire service can provide safe, comfortable and reliable transport for groups of all sizes.