Holehird Gardens

About the garden

Owned by

Lakeland Horticultural Society

This 10-acre fellside garden, originally created in Victorian times, has spectacular views over Windermere towards the southern and central fells. There is something to see at all times of the year and the varied landscape offers habitats to many different plants. The walled garden has beautiful herbaceous borders and central beds in summer, with spring bulbs earlier in the year. There are national collections of Astilbe, Daboecia, Meconopsis, Polystichum, Tanacetum and mouse hostas. Areas are dedicated to hydrangeas, hostas, roses and alpines. 

Bulbs do well at Holehird. There is a winter/spring bed, streamside beds, a woodland walk, wildflower meadows and beds featuring plants from around the globe. It is difficult to take it all in on a first visit and many people return again and again.

The volunteers of the Lakeland Horticultural Society have developed and maintained the gardens since 1969, their aim being to ‘promote and develop the science, practice and art of horticulture, particularly with regard to the conditions prevailing in the Lake District’. The site is exposed, has a cool, wet climate and neutral-to-acid soil. There is extensive labelling of plants throughout the gardens. You will often find a friendly volunteer gardener willing to talk to you about the gardens. The society also offers tours of the gardens (see website).

Visitor reception is also manned by volunteers and is open from Easter to the end of October, offering information, publication sales and hot drinks. Plants that have been propagated at Holehird are available for sale in the walled garden. New accessible paths have recently been built, allowing more people to see more of the gardens. However, the position of the gardens on a steep hillside means some visitors may still find access to a few areas difficult.  

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.