Loudon Terrace

The Terrace is named in memory of J. C. Loudon who planned these Gardens in 1830, and is the first place to view the main sweep of the Gardens. It is a place to relax, to stroll and converse, to eat sandwiches or merely to sit in the sun.
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Launch Virtual Tour of the Loudon Terrace

Main Lawn & Bandstand

The Main Lawn is an amphitheatre that acts as a sun trap, with higher ground behind cutting off the cold northerly winds. The Lawn is therefore a popular spot for picnics in fine weather and is, indeed, the hub of the Gardens, inviting the visitor to leave the formal Terrace and explore the more remote regions beyond.
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The Cottage & Garden

In a quiet enclosure behind the playground is a red-brick cottage manifesting a medley of architectural styles, indeed almost amounting to an architectural joke. The Cottage provides a natural setting for a collection of old favourite plants reminiscent, at least in the public imagination, of the cottage gardens of the last century.
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Other features...

Growing Schools Garden
Designed by TV's Chris Beardshaw, this garden shows how teaching and learning can take place outside the classroom. More about the Growing Schools Garden...

Pinetum
A conifer grove with pines, redwoods, cedars, larch, Douglas fir and a maidenhair tree, Ginko biloba

Alpine Yard
Demonstrating the many ways alpines can be displayed

Historic Gardens
Roman, Medieval and Tudor gardens

Children's Discovery Garden
An area for our younger visitors to get a feel for the natural world.
More about the Childrens' Discovery Garden...

British Wetlands Habitat
A landscaped reproduction of native wetland habitat

Herbaceous Border
Launch Virtual Tour of the Herbaceous Border and Playground

Herb Garden
Culinery, medicinal and ornamental herbs

Playground
A traditional playground and adventure trail for younger visitors to let off steam

Winter Garden & Fountain
Early flowering plants and shrubs bring colour throughout the winter months

Acer Collection
A small arboretum of maples

Rock Garden & Pool
A mountain landscape in miniature.
More about the Rock Garden & Pool...

Launch Virtual Tour of the Rock Garden and Pool

Wildlife Glade
A small plot, carefully managed to reproduce a flower meadow

Azalea Valley
A path between borders of modern azaleas

Rhododendron Walk
A shady walk planted with new and established varieties

Wilson Border
Devoted to plants collected in China by Wilson, who trained at the Gardens a century ago

Fern Garden & Woodland Walk
Recently replanted with many specimens used when first created in the 1860s.
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Grass Garden
An inspiring collection of ornamental and economic plants of the grass family

Aviary Winter Bank
A diverse collection of plants for winter colour

Lawn Aviary
Home to varied collections of birds around an enclosed viewing plaza.
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National Bonsai Collection
A fine display of about 25 hardy bonsai trees housed in a secure courtyard, owned by members of the Friends of the National Bonsai Collection (FNBC).
More about the National Bonsai Collection...

Japanese Garden
A courtyard garden or 'tsubo-niwa' (garden between buildings) and was built with the help of members of the Japanese Garden Society