We've pulled together a choice of the top five gardens to explore on the Isle of Wight for the remainder of this summer.
Mottistone Gardens
Open seven days a week and no prior booking is required: Mottistone Gardens is open for business.
Prices range between £8.80 and £4.40 for adults and children respectively, although entry is free for National Trust members.
Nestled in leafy Brighstone, Mottistone is home to an enchanting history that dates back to 1086 when it was first mentioned in the Domesday Book.
From here, it has become a site of archaeological and cultural importance with Jacquetta Hawkes, the first woman to take a degree in archaeology and anthropology, discovering the Longstone, the remains of a 6,000-year-old Neolithic barrow used to bury the dead.
More recently, Mottistone has announced some ambitious goals to tackle the changing climate and has begun Mediterranean-style planting of an olive grove and introduction of yuccas, palms, and bananas.
Farringford House and Gardens
Farringford is steeped in literary history, namely as the home of Victorian Poet Laureate, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who gained inspiration from its bucolic gardens.
In his poem of 1854, “To the Rev F.D Maurice”, Tennyson describes his garden as “careless-order’d” or as some more aptly would describe it today as ‘rewilding’.
Ahead of his time, Tennyson preferred a more informal landscape which can be observed through the abundance of flowers and trees in the picturesque woodland.
It is also worth making a visit to The Walled Garden which is carefully cultivated with oriental poppies, tobacco plants, and a profusion of cabbages and root vegetables.
The gardens are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm, with last admission being 3.30pm.
Admission price is £4 for adults and £2 for children.
Morton Manor, Brading
Morton Manor is part of the National Garden Scheme, a charity that invites budding gardeners to open their gardens to the public with all proceeds being channelled to nursing and health charities.
Located in Brading and situated a stone’s throw from the beach, Morton Gardens plays host to a colourful array of rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias.
But most importantly, after a gentle stroll around the garden, light refreshments of tea and cake are served on site.
The gardens are open for By Arrangement visits from April to October.
Adult admission is £5.
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Situated across 22 acres of land, this so-called ‘microclimate’ possesses a huge number of plants, from the Amazonian Giant Waterlily to the formidable-looking agaves and even the oldest palm trees in Britain dating back to 1871, which were a gift from Queen Victoria.
Ventnor Botanical Garden (VBG) has a serious green agenda too, with 60 solar panels delivering electricity and hot water to their cafe and restaurant.
The restaurant is desperately keen to do its bit for the planet by cutting food miles and carbon footprint by recycling plastic cups and discarded packaging.
Further still, salad, tomatoes, kale, cucumber, and much more are being grown on-site to support VBG’s ambitious climate change commitments.
Food on site is deliciously simple and head up towards The Plantation Cafe, which has panoramic views across the gardens and an exquisite selection of cakes and herbal teas.
It’s fair to say that there’s a serious buzz of excitement at VBG — and it’s not just the bees!
Ventnor Botanic Garden is open daily, from 9am to 5pm in summer.
Admission price for adults is £11.50 and £7 for children.
Osborne House
Home to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Osborne House was the ‘royal retreat’ away from the mainland.
Prince Albert was a keen gardener and began planting Magnolia grandiflora as one of the first plants, which can still be seen today.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the walled garden, the vines across the pergola, and the royal roses.
Osborne House is open seven days a week, with admissions starting from £23.60 for adults and £14.50 for children.
English Heritage member admission is free, and Osborne House membership is available to buy which allows free entry.
Have we missed your favourite garden? Let us know in the comments below.
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