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Britain in Bloom: Garden Escapes in England to Enjoy in May from Chelsea to the Cotswolds
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show (Tuesday May 19 to Saturday May 23rd) has long been one of the best-known events in the British gardening calendar and the crown jewel of horticultural events.
For visitors arriving in London in May, it often feels like an introduction to the pleasures of England in late spring: There is the beauty of the planting itself of course, but also the atmosphere and the sense that Chelsea marks a wider seasonal moment.
So why stop at Chelsea? For garden lovers one of the pleasures of travelling at this time of year is that the experience need not end in the capital. Some of the loveliest gardens and countryside escapes in England lie just beyond London, in the South and West of the country.
For anyone considering a May visit, this is a wonderful time for private day trips from London, countryside escapes, and bespoke journeys shaped around Britain in Bloom.
Chelsea Flower Show: The start of a garden tour in England
One reason Chelsea works so well as the starting point for a wider journey is that a day at the show can be followed by time in the countryside, where gardens, landscapes and historic places offer a different but equally rewarding view of the season.
It is a lovely way to move from the excitement of London to the quieter pleasures of this garden loving nation, while keeping the flowery fun flowing a little longer.
The Cotswolds in May: The quintessential countryside experience.
If ever there were a destination made for May, it would surely be the Cotswolds.
In May, the hills are fresh and green, the villages look immaculate, and the quieter roads lend themselves beautifully to scenic drives. The appeal of the Cotswolds is not only in its prettiness, but in the way the whole landscape feels composed: villages, fields, manor houses and winding lanes all sitting naturally together to create the quintessential countryside experience.
For travellers with an interest in gardens, the region also pairs beautifully with some of England’s best-loved estates. Places such as Blenheim Palace, Hidcote and Snowshill add another layer to a Cotswolds journey, making it possible to combine village England with formal gardens, historic houses and wider views of the countryside.
It is the sort of region that suits slower travel particularly well, whether as a day trip from London or as part of a longer bespoke itinerary.
Top Tip: Add a visit to King Charles III’s private gardens at Highgrove and the nearby Badminton Estate, home to the brand new RHS Badminton Flower Show in July
Stourhead: One of the great garden escapes in England
Some gardens are admired for their planting. Others are remembered for the way they make you feel. Stourhead is very much one of the latter.
One of the great English landscape gardens, it is known for its lake, temples, woodland walks and carefully composed views. More than many gardens, it feels like somewhere to move through rather than simply to observe. The paths reveal new perspectives gradually, and the beauty lies as much in the atmosphere as in any individual feature.
In May, that atmosphere is especially rewarding. The landscape feels fresh, balanced and full of life, making Stourhead one of the most memorable garden visits in western England at this time of year.
It also fits naturally into a wider spring journey, whether paired with Bath, Wells, or other countryside stops across Wiltshire and Somerset.
Wells and The Bishop’s Palace gardens in spring
For a garden visit with a gentler and slightly less expected character, Wells is a lovely choice.
One of England’s smallest cities, Wells has an intimacy that makes it especially appealing in spring. Its cathedral, old streets and surrounding buildings have a calm, timeless beauty, and The Bishop’s Palace gardens deepen that feeling. With their moat, historic walls and tranquil planting, they offer a different kind of garden experience: less grand than some, perhaps, but deeply atmospheric.
In May, this combination is particularly charming. The pleasure here lies not simply in what is blooming, but in the relationship between garden and setting: water, stone, trees and planting all working together in a way that feels very English and very peaceful.
Wells is also well placed for a wider countryside route, making it an excellent addition to a bespoke spring itinerary in the West of England.
Top Tip: Combine a trip to Wells with a visit to the magical Glastonbury Tor and the Great Garden Show at the Newt in Somerset (May 9th to 17th) With talks, walks, and tutorials, picnics, feasting and even Roman style Gladiator contests in the magnificent grounds, it’s a great way to spend a day or more!
Arundel Castle, the South Downs and late-spring colour
For travellers interested in combining gardens with heritage and landscape, Arundel Castle’s Historic Houses Garden of the Year is a particularly rewarding stop in May.
The castle itself brings drama and history, while the gardens soften the setting with colour and seasonal beauty. By late spring, the grounds begin to shift into a fuller, richer phase, and the Rose Garden adds scent and romance to the strong lines of the castle and its walls.
Arundel also works beautifully with the surrounding South Downs, where rolling landscapes, attractive towns and scenic routes make for a very different kind of spring day from the Cotswolds or the West Country.
Together, they offer a varied blend of grandeur, countryside and coastal freshness and an opportunity to enjoy how gardens, landscape and historic places come together.
Together, they offer a varied blend of grandeur, countryside and coastal freshness and an opportunity to enjoy how gardens, landscape and historic places come together.
Planning your Britain in bloom escape
For anyone considering a May journey, this is a lovely time to see England at its most colourful and inviting.
From Chelsea Flower Show and the Cotswolds to Stourhead, Wells, Arundel Castle and the South Downs, there are many ways to enjoy Britain in bloom. Whether you are looking for a private day trip from London, a countryside garden escape, or a more fully bespoke England itinerary, this season offers no shortage of inspiration.
Browse our private tours or get in touch to start planning a private garden tour or bespoke spring escape in England.