The Islands of Guernsey benefit from a great growing climate. Spring actually arrives four weeks earlier in Guernsey than on mainland Britain, which allows some unique and very beautiful flora to grow on the island.
Whether you’re a budding horticulturist, gardener, or collector of house plants, there are plenty of green spaces to explore and take inspiration from.
La Seigneurie
In the gardens of La Seigneurie Estate, you will find four diverse acres to enjoy, as well as a cafe and restaurant for refreshments. The award-winning Walled Garden boasts a variety of colours, shapes and scents, with a vast array of flora.
Woodland walks take visitors on a journey past the Monk's Well, the duck pond, and across the newly installed bridge to St Magloire's island. This was recently built and installed by the Seigneur, a former military engineer. A flight of stairs leads guests back to the Archery Lawn, where guests will find a stumpery and a grass walk at the north of the lawn.
For children, the gardens feature a charming maze with a miniature castle at the centre.
At the front of the estate, the Amphitheatre has benches for visitors to relax and enjoy a picnic. The shade and fountains are a serene backdrop for a rest on your journey.
If you're lucky, you may spot some of the local wildlife, including birds and insects, and some species recently spotted for the first time in the British Isles.
Adult admission is £8, child admission is £2.
Le Grand Dixcart
These award-winning gardens sit at the heart of Le Grand Dixcart B&B experience.
Featuring raised beds, an apple orchard, the Cedar Greenhouse, and a unique Permaculture Garden, the gardens are also home to some resident chickens, who produce fresh eggs, and a thriving beehive.
Guided tours are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and can be reserved through Stocks Hotel reception.
Adult admission is £5, and child admission is £2.50
Government House
This private residence, owned by the States of Guernsey, is home to the Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick and features 10 acres of parkland and landscaped gardens.
Visitors will find over 150 mature trees and a stunning collection of camellia cultivars.
Over 1,700 square metres, the historic walled garden featured in the grounds is generally considered to be one of the finest examples of a traditional walled garden in the British Isles.
Impressively, the garden provides a hundred varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, as well as flowers for the house.
Open Garden: Saturday 21st June, 12pm - 4pm.
Adult admission is £5, children enter for free.
Grange Court Garden
With tea, cakes and merchandise on sale for charity, guests can enjoy a wander around the finely curated garden as well as live music.
Open Garden: Sunday 29th June, 10am - 4pm.
Adult admission is £5, under 12s enter for free.
Subtropical Gardens, Sausmarez Manor
'An award-winning paradise of the delightful and surprising.'
Recommended by the Royal Horticultural Society and mentioned prominently in ‘1001 Gardens to Visit Before You Die’, these gardens provide interest throughout the seasons.
Guernsey's mild climate allows plants that would typically need protection to grow within the UK to thrive in the outdoors at Sausmarez Manor.
Wandering through the winding paths and jungle-like glades allows you to discover a wide range of plants, including Giant Geraniums, Echiums, Palm trees, Bamboos, Yams (Collocasia & Alocasia), Banana trees, Tree Ferns and Camellias galore.
Open daily (except around Christmas), 10.00am – 5.00pm
Admission charges apply.
Victorian Walled Garden
Situated at Saumarez Park, this garden was once part of the de Saumarez family's private estate, which was acquired by the States of Guernsey following the death of the fourth Lord de Saumarez in 1937. Whilst the park was used widely for public purposes, the Victorian walled garden fell into a state of disuse and disrepair over the years.
Since 2006, the garden has been tended to by volunteers through a community-focused restoration and conservation project. Their work looks to preserve the heritage of Guernsey’s horticultural past, and to educate people of all ages and abilities about the benefits of gardening, both physical and mental.
Though work is ongoing, the garden is already producing well, yielding crops in varieties appropriate to the Victorian era. In both 2008 and 2009, produce from the garden gained several first prizes in the Northern Agricultural & Horticultural Society's annual show held in Saumarez Park.
The garden is open daily from April to September, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, and 10:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays, as well as the garden shop, La Choppe, where you can purchase seasonal produce.
For guided tours, please contact infovwkg@walledgarden.gg
No entry fee, though donations are appreciated.
