The loveliest places to visit in the UK in spring

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Spring in the UK is when the nation is at its best. A cascade of spring flowers bloom between March and May, bringing the UK to life. Daffodils give way to tulips and cherry blossoms, then to wisteria and roses. It is a magical time to wander villages framed with flowers or to see world-renowned British gardens at their height. Spring is my favourite time of year by far, and I’ve spent years discovering the best places in the UK to enjoy spring flowers. Here are my best recommendations for where to visit in the UK in spring.

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Spring in Yorkshire

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Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey, located near Ripon in North Yorkshire, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning ruins and expansive landscape. In spring, the abbey grounds burst into a colourful display of daffodils. The juxtaposition of the ancient stone structures against the backdrop of yellow daffodils is stunning, and one of the most breathtaking National Trust sites I’ve visited.

Harrogate

Harrogate, a charming spa town in North Yorkshire, is a wonderful spring destination as the town's parks and gardens bloom with a variety of flowers. The Valley Gardens, in particular, showcase tulips, daffodils, and vibrant bedding plants during this season. The town's Victorian architecture adds to its appeal, creating a delightful atmosphere for leisurely strolls. Harrogate is an elegant gem of the North, and I think at its best in spring.

Photo by Sherry Wright on Unsplash

Photo by Kirsten Drew on Unsplash

York

It’s impossible to leave York itself off the list! York is of course known for its historic sites and the mediaeval appeal of the wonky shops on the Shambles. The city walls of York offer a perfect view over the city, which will be filled with daffodils in early spring and cherry blossoms in April. The city's numerous gardens, including the Museum Gardens and the Dean's Park, come to life with a profusion of spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils, and magnolias.

Mount Grace Priory

Located in the North York Moors, Mount Grace Priory is a well-preserved medieval charterhouse with charming gardens. Spring brings a new life to the priory, starting with charming snowdrops before spreading to daffodils and bloom trees. Visitors can wander through the ruins of the priory, explore Arts & Crafts style manor house, and explore acres of gardens.

Castle Howard

If you can’t tell, daffodils are the theme of spring in Yorkshire, and Castle Howard may be one of the best places in the UK to see them. Castle Howard is an impressive stately home in North Yorkshire which boasts stunning gardens, including the expansive daffodil meadow that springs up in March. The grandeur of Castle Howard itself is worth the visit, with incredible period interiors that will bring you back in time.

Photo by Chris Johnson on Unsplash

Farndale Daffodil Walk

Farndale, located in the North York Moors National Park, is famous for its annual daffodil display along the River Dove. In spring, the valley transforms into a sea of golden daffodils, creating a breathtaking sight. The Farndale Daffodil Walk is a popular route for nature enthusiasts and photographers because of its scenic trail. Make sure to plan ahead by finding a car park on the route and accounting for busy trails. This walk gets to the heart of the Yorkshire countryside and can’t be missed if in Yorkshire during the spring.

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Springtime in the Cotswolds and Oxfordshire

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Snowshill

One of the most charming places in all of the Cotswolds, Snowshill is a quirky manor house filled with eclectic objects. The grounds of the manor are so sweet in the spring, with lambs wandering the land and blossom trees in bloom. To me, it feels like wandering a bucolic country farm, rather than an overly formal stately home.

Hidcote

Hidcote is one of the most famous gardens in the Cotswolds, known for its naturalistic planting scheme and ‘garden rooms’. Each room is separated by hedges that come to life in the spring, with tulips, blossom trees, and wisteria.

Buscot Park

This is one of my personal favourite gardens, and spring is the perfect time to visit and see the impressive wisteria arches in the walled garden. The extensive parkland houses ornamental lakes which are filled with fish where I saw many local families going fishing. The house is known for its art collection, and there are lots of sculptures around the grounds as well, perfect for exploring.

Iford Manor

On the edge of the Cotswolds and Wiltshire, Iford Manor is a truly special garden with Italian influences. The cloisters is like wandering a Renaissance abbey in Tuscany, and in the spring the entire site is alive with candy coloured tulips, wisteria, and cow parsley in the woods. It’s one of my very favourite gardens in the UK.

Oxford

Oxford itself is wonderful to visit in any season, but is really beautiful in the springtime. Slowly punting down the river offers a view into the spring meadows and newly green trees, and the gardens of the colleges bring colour to the beautiful architecture of the town. I love walking around and seeing the roses, wisteria and clematis spilling over the walls of the colleges.

Cotswold Villages

The Cotswolds are filled with picturesque villages that are at their best in the spring. Bourton on the Water is a personal favourite of mine, with its gently flowing river through the middle of the town and the cute model village. The nearby Upper and Lower Slaughter villages are equally sweet. Castle Combe is one of the most picturesque of the Cotswold Villages, and Broadway has dozens of beautiful shops to explore.

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London in the spring

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Victoria Embankment Gardens

One of the loveliest hidden gems in London, these gardens are located just along the river in central London and are some of the best places to see tulips spring into bloom. The displays are different each year, and I can’t get enough of the tulip extravaganza. If you’re a tulip lover, it’s definitely the best place in London for tulips.

Holland Park

Another excellent tulip location, which feels all the more fitting in a place called Holland Park. There’s so much good stuff to do in the area, like visit my favourite London restaurant, Six Portland Road.

Ham House

A London location that is close to my heart, Ham House is a Stuart-era historic home in Richmond, London. It has a wonderful garden complete with blooming tulips and a cafe covered in wisteria. Earlier in the spring season, the entire lawn is carpeted with purple crocuses.

Hampton Court

The illustrious palace of the Tudor court is also a prime destination for tulip spotting in London. The formal gardens are filled with ornate flower beds and swathes of tulips brighten up the garden.

Wisteria walks

Wisteria season is a whole thing in London — #wisteriahysteria. Houses all across the city are covered in these purple blooms in May, but there are few wisteria walks I love to take at this time of year. Chiswick Mall is one of them — some of the largest and oldest wisteria plants in the city can be seen here and they look so lovely against the historic homes of this area. Find out more about wisteria walks in London.

Isabella Plantation

Although difficult to get to, Isabella Plantation is one of those otherworldly places that is honestly life-changing. If you’re in London in May, you cannot miss the magic of Isabella Plantation, a garden within Richmond Park that is filled to the brim with azaleas and rhododendrons in the spring.

A full guide to Spring in London

As I am based in London, I have all the local tips on the best places to enjoy spring in London and when each type of spring flower blooms. Read more about the progression of spring in London here:

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Spring in South East England

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Canterbury

One of the most charming and historic towns in England, Canterbury is the pilgrim’s destination but also a beautiful place to visit in the springtime. The flowers which line the banks of the River Stour make for a perfect springtime scene, and you can even go punting on the river. Westgate Gardens is the perfect place to have a springtime stroll in Canterbury. And of course, you can’t miss Canterbury Cathedral.

Dunsborough Park

Dunsborough Park is a private estate that has one of the most spectacular gardens which only opens on a few select weeks per year, for the tulip and dahlia festivals. Tulips at Dunsborough Park are incredible, and I never stop singing its praises each spring. Not too far from London, it’s easy to drive to and so worth a quick day trip to explore. I have a guide to the gardens if you’d like to read more about flowers at Dunsborough Park.

Rye

Rye is another quintessential day trip from London and is so charming in the spring. From wisteria-covered houses to huge historic cherry blossom trees, this adorable town is a special place. The views from Rye are incredible, and the town is full of cute antique shops and charming pubs. It’s an easy train trip from London.

Arundel Castle

Perhaps one of the most impressive tulip gardens in the entire UK, Arundel Castle’s springtime tulip festival is really a sight to be seen. Even better, Arundel is an easy day trip from London via train. The castle’s grounds are filled with tens of thousands of tulips in April and in my opinion it rivals seeing them in the Netherlands.

National Trust gardens in South East England

There are so many more spring gardens to visit in South East England during the spring season, it is impossible to list them all here. Luckily I’ve written an entire post about the best gardens to visit in the South East. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Nymans

• Greys Court

• Mottisfont

• Scotney Castle

• Sissinghurst

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Spring in the Peak District

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Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House — we know it and we love it from Pride & Prejudice, and it is lovely to visit in the spring. Daffodils brighten up the formal gardens each year, and the grandeur of the landscape gardens make for a cinematic place for a springtime walk.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

For a truly unique blend of art and nature, head to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This outdoor gallery is located just on the edge of the Peak Distract. Imagine contemporary art installations harmonising with the delicate hues of cherry blossoms and the vibrancy of tulips. It’s one of the best art experiences in the UK, and spring is the perfect time to embrace new life and art.

Castleton

Castleton, a quintessential Peak District village, exudes charm at every turn, and in spring, it becomes a storybook setting come to life. Surrounded by rolling hills and limestone cliffs, Castleton is adorned with blossoming flowers that add a touch of magic to its stone cottages.

Bakewell

Bakewell, home to the famous Bakewell Pudding, is a springtime haven along the River Wye. River walks will be filled with new ducklings and goslings, and the beautiful village centre gardens will be in bloom. Bakewell is a really sweet town with lots of fun shops and cute cafes to explore.

Dovedale

Dovedale is one of the nicest places for a hike in the UK, and is perfect to visit in the green springtime. Dovedale was a favourite outdoor location for the Victorians, who went walking here across the iconic stepping stones through the river. It’s the perfect place for a springtime walk, and is near Ilam, one of the most beautiful Peak District villages, in my opinion.

Hardwick Hall

This incredible stately home is located to the east of the Peak District and is a lovely place to visit in the spring. The long drive up the hill to the house is dotted with new lambs, who when I visited last spring were joyfully chasing each other around the fields. The house itself is stunning with its Elizabethan architecture, and you may recognize it as the sinister Malfoy Mansion from Harry Potter. The blossom trees and daffodils make for a nice visit and there’s lots of spring-themed activities for kids.

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Wales in Spring

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Bodnant Garden

Bodnant might be one of the best spring locations in all of the UK. Its yellow laburnum arch is a draw for spring visitors every season as it is one of the most stunning examples of these spring flowers. Bodnant is also home to rhododendron dells, hydrangeas, and rose gardens.

Brecon Beacons

Wandering the Brecon Beacons is wonderful in the spring. I spent a week here one May, driving through verdant fields with lambs grazing and visiting castle ruins. Castle Carreg is one that I really enjoyed, and the views from the castle walls over the patchwork fields was beautiful in the springtime.

Portmeiron

A little slice of Italy in North Wales, Portmeiron as a delightfully colourful town in Italianate architecture. It is the perfect place to inject a bit of springtime colour into your life.

National Botanic Garden of Wales

The National Botanic Garden of Wales holds many spring wonders, in particular amazing bluebell woods. Swathes of bluebells cover the hills and woodlands, creating a sea of blue and making for one of the best places to see bluebells in the UK. Of course the garden also contains many other spring plants and flowers to see, as well as glasshouses to warm up in and see tropical plants.

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Spring flowers in Edinburgh

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Edinburgh is known for its beautiful displays of spring flowers, especially its pink blossom trees in late April. Here are some of the best places to enjoy spring gardens in Edinburgh.

Princes Street Gardens

One of the most beautiful parks in the UK, Princes Street Gardens is located at the base of Edinburgh Castle and so has incredible views from all angles. The ornate Ross Fountain is a beautiful centrepiece to the park and was built in the 19th century. The gardens will be full of cherry blossom trees and colourful flowerbeds in the spring.

The Meadows

Another big green space in Edinburgh, The Meadows has a long lane of cherry blossom trees that make it one of the most popular destinations in the city during spring.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden is full of all sorts of blooms in the springtime. The formal gardens and ornamental landscapes make for beautiful springtime walks, and the glasshouses will be warm and lush no matter if it’s a cold spring day outside.

Dean Village

Dean Village, a beautiful Edinburgh neighbourhood along the Water of Leith, offers incredible springtime city views. With paths lining the water, the views of the city’s architecture looks so picturesque, especially in the spring.

Market Street

Market Street is lined with cherry blossom trees in the spring, especially around the delightfully retro Waverley Cafe. This red kiosk looks so charming in the spring against the pink blossoms.

Canongate Kirk

This 17th century Presbyterian church has a unique facade, almost like a building from Amsterdam. The red doors of this church are also delightfully juxtaposed with pink spring blossoms when the trees framing the church spring into bloom.

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Spring in Somerset

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Stourhead

Stourhead has to be one of the most incredible gardens in the entire UK, with its epic ornamental landscapes creating cinematic views — which you might recognise from films like Pride & Prejudice. It is so beautiful in the spring, when the paths are lined with rhododendrons and the greenery is new and bright. I love wandering Stourhead at all times of year — especially autumn — but there is something really special about it in the spring.

Bruton

Bruton may look like an unassuming town, but its actually one of the most exciting in Somerset. Home to Hauser & Wirth, a major art gallery, as well as several top restaurants, there is plenty to keep busy with in Bruton, and it looks especially nice in the spring. Hauser & Wirth is free to enter with several galleries showing contemporary art. There’s an incredible garden behind the galleries, which starts to come to life in the spring. Osip is a Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of Bruton, but there are also many other amazing places to eat, such as At the Chapel. More galleries are in Bruton’s High Street, such as Bo Lee and Workman. It’s a perfect spring weekend destination — in fact I often come here during the first May bank holiday weekend.

Frome

One of the cutest towns I’ve visited in the UK, Frome is a creative and quirky area home to an enormous market. The monthly market features artists, designers, antiques, food, and more. The High Street also hosts a range of independent shops perfect for a springtime wander.

Wells

Wells is another gem of Somerset, with its medieval architecture and gardens. Wells is the UK’s smallest city, as it is home to the incredible cathedral. Bishop’s Palace is a must-visit in the spring, where swans swim gracefully through the ponds and blossom trees start to bloom on the edges of the castle walls. Don’t miss Vicar’s Close, one of the oldest inhabited streets in the world and very beautiful, too.

Tyntesfield

A stunning National Trust property not far from Bristol, Tyntesfield is a perfect springtime pick because of its tulip gardens and enormous wisteria. The 19th century house is ornately beautiful, especially with one of the biggest wisteria plants I’ve ever seen draped over its terraced walls. The kitchen garden is a great place to stop and see hundreds of tulips.

Montacute

Montacute is a charming small village home to a National Trust house with the same name. This one was built in Elizabethan times, and its stately architecture is framed with a formal garden of tulips in the spring. The village is so lovely to have a wander round as well.

Forde Abbey

Forde Abbey is a destination for garden enthusiasts, especially those who are interested in naturalistic planting schemes. The tulip displays are so charming in the spring, especially the tulip spiral which I couldn’t get enough of photographing last year.

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Cornwall in Spring

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The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are a historic estate that dates back to the 18th century. Abandoned for decades and rediscovered in the 1990s, the gardens have been meticulously restored, offering visitors a glimpse into the beauty of Victorian-era horticulture. The site features a variety of themed gardens, including the Italian Garden and the Jungle, along with a productive kitchen garden. In the spring, the rhododendrons and azaleas begin to bloom, adding even more to the sense of mystery and wonder at Heligan.

The Eden Project

Situated near St Austell in Cornwall, The Eden Project is a world-famous botanical garden housed within futuristic biomes. These iconic structures showcase different climates, from tropical rainforests to Mediterranean landscapes. The Eden Project serves as an educational and environmental centre, promoting sustainability and biodiversity. The striking architecture of the glass domes houses the different gardens, and makes it a warm and dry place to explore even on a wet British spring day.

Cothele

Cothele is one of my most favourite hidden gems in the UK. This medieval era house and garden is tucked away in the countryside between Cornwall and Devon, along the banks of the River Tamar. The terraced gardens are so magical and atmospheric. It’s easy to imagine people living here centuries ago, and I feel like this place takes me back in time in a way that few other properties do.

Trerice

Trerice, located near Newquay in Cornwall, is an Elizabethan manor house managed by the National Trust. Built in the late 16th century, the property showcases Elizabethan architecture, including ornate plasterwork and a Great Hall. The gardens surrounding Trerice are known for their knot garden and vibrant floral displays, which will be at their best in the spring.

Lanhydrock

Situated near Bodmin in Cornwall, Lanhydrock is a magnificent country house and estate. The house combines Victorian and Jacobean architecture and features well-preserved interiors, including the Long Gallery and the Nursery, and insights into life at the house around the 1920s. The extensive grounds include formal gardens, wooded areas, and a network of walking trails.

Glendurgan Garden

Glendurgan Garden is a subtropical paradise in Cornwall. The garden descends to the Helford River and is known for its exotic plants, including giant rhubarb and beautiful camellias. A distinctive cherry laurel maze adds a playful element to the site, making Glendurgan a unique spring destination.

Trelissick

Trelissick, situated on the Fal Estuary near Truro in Cornwall, is a National Trust property featuring a stately house and extensive gardens. The house showcases fine Georgian architecture and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The gardens include a collection of rare and exotic plants, and the estate provides scenic walking trails along the riverbanks. I really enjoyed walking here in the springtime and enjoying the tropical garden.

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