Top Sculpture Gardens to Visit This Summer

Summer holidays are looming and grandparents around the country will be tasked with keeping the grandchildren busy. Open gardens and sculpture trails are the perfect solution. Children can let off some steam run and explore whilst simultaneously learning a bit of English heritage, and their older companions can enjoy the fresh air, some beautiful scenery and possibly take some garden inspiration home.

Here are our favourite gardens to visit this summer – where you may just spot a piece of Chilstone or two along the way!

Hever Castle Gardens

This is a real winner of a day out in Kent, not only is the Castle spectacular, moated, haunted (!) and brimming with real life Tudor history (perfect for those little ones at primary school), but the beautiful gardens include a maze, with a Chilstone obelisk we donated as a centre piece, a lake, a giant topiary chess set and they are brimming with stunning traditional sculptures, statues, including the inspiration for our Leda and the Swan statue.

Hever Castle has been close to our hearts for many years (we even replaced some of the balustrade on the famous Golden Staircase that was damaged during the famous storm in the 1980’s!)

The Laskett gardens

A real hidden gem when it comes to sculpture gardens; enjoy fountains, temples and sculpture galore as you learn about Sir Roy Strong and his wife Julia.

The gardens aren’t usually open to the public in the summer holidays, but this year there is a special open garden event on 27th August to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice, a great opportunity to visit the garden and support a good cause.

All photos of The Lasket Gardens by Jonathan Myles-Lea

Kew Gardens

You will need a whole day or more to explore all that Kew gardens has to offer. As you wander through all the delightful gardens see how many Chilstone pieces you can spot!

Chilstone Showgarden

Of Course you are always more than welcome to come and explore our very own sculpture trail and show garden in Tunbridge Wells, there is a lake and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities. Entry is always free.

In the summer we are open from 9am – 5pm in weekdays and 10-5pm on Saturdays.

Have fun exploring!