Knebworth House Gardens

About the garden

Owned by

Henry and Martha Lytton Cobbold

Designed By
Edwin Lutyens

There have been gardens at Knebworth House since at least the 17th century, but the present layout dates largely from the Edwardian era and was designed by renowned British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who married into the Lytton family. 

The garden offers distinct ‘garden rooms’, bringing a variety of landscapes and colourful plants within each area. Explore the shady Green Garden and emerge into the sunny Gold Garden with its circular pool and fountain. The soft shades and relaxed planting of the adjoining Brick Garden offer a perfect contrast to the formal rose garden. The walled vegetable garden has a changing display of bright fruit and vegetables, including edible flowers. Produce from the gardens is often available from the gift shop, including Knebworth apple juice, posies of flowers and fresh vegetables. 

Other features of the 28-acre formal gardens include the Herb Garden, which was recreated in 1982 from Gertrude Jekyll’s 1907 design; the Sunken Lawn, Pergola and the Victorian Bowling Alley. There are wonderful views across the ha-ha to the historic deer park. Find a shady seat and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and birdsong in the gardens. There is a fine collection of trees and mature shrubs including redwoods, Catalpa and Cornus. 

Younger visitors will enjoy the Dinosaur Trail, where 72 life-sized dinosaurs can be found grazing among the rhododendrons and redwoods. Exploring the woodland paths carpeted with daffodils early in the year, followed by drifts of pink campion in May, children can learn about the T-Rex, the woolly mammoth and other fascinating prehistoric creatures. Each generation of the family has enhanced the gardens and the recent woodcarvings are particularly interesting. Look out for regular exhibitions of garden sculpture too. The Garden Terrace Tea Room serves light lunches and afternoon teas. The homemade cakes are particularly popular with visitors.