The Gardens

Annual Garden Season Tickets are now available. Application forms can be downloaded here:  /servefile//GARDENS 2023/Annual Garden Season Ticket Application Form.pdf

There are 15 acres for you to explore in this historical setting, packed full of horticultural wonders. These range from ornamental gardens, water features and enchanted woodland walks.

The microclimate, from the gulf stream and the shelter belt from the hills behind, enable Milntown’s grounds to be filled with horticultural wonders all within a scenic landscape.

The ornamental gardens have something to view whatever the season. The spring is host to an array of spring flowering bulbs, large Camellia and Rhododendrons. These then merge into the Magnolia blossoms, Azaleas, Lilacs, and more species of Rhododendrons to name just a few - the heavenly scent from the blossom overpowering your senses whichever way you choose to wonder! 

The summer months are filled with herbaceous borders overflowing with their frothy ‘Manx cottage garden’ charm! The Walled Garden, a riot of colour, lined by an avenue of Salvia microphylla cultivars. The nostalgic scents from the shrub roses and the sweeping lawns bringing out the child in all and make you want to explore.

The Jungle Walk planted with large Dicksonia antartica (tree fern) contrasted by colourful leaf forms like Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’ and Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’.

The autumn brings with it the changing of the leaves, providing a wonder of different textures, tones and form. The mature Leaf form of the Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ matched by the large Acer campestre turning from green to yellow and red. The colours of the Sorbus ulleungensis ‘Olympic Flame’ clashing with the Cornus kousa var. chinensis.

The winter months can be just as beautiful, the hills beyond now visible from the falling of the leaves. The skeleton of the garden visible, this will be when the garden team undertake developments and create new areas of interest for the following year. There are still wonders to be seen if you look… The red hanging flowers from the climber Clianthus puniceus ‘Lobster Claw’ or Rhododendron ‘Christmas Cheer’ with its blowsy pink flowers appearing in the depths of winter.

This is merely a taster of what we have in the gardens and grounds. Our aim is to ensure that all will be sure to discover something new every time you visit!

For those with mobility problems, Milntown has two disability scooters which are available for use upon request.

The gardens are being managed, developed and designed by Adam Quayle. He is assisted by a wonderful team which consist of Nathan Jackson, Thomas Wood and Luke Blevins as well as all the volunteers who happily give their time.

Please be advised that from time to time we may have to close the gardens due to inclement weather conditions, if we do have to make any closures they will be posted on our website and Milntown Facebook Page. 

Unfortunately, we do only allow service dogs into the Gardens.