{{UPFirstLetterLCTheRest('Belvoir Castle')}}

BELVOIR CASTLE

Partner Garden
Free access for RHS members at selected times

Belvoir
Grantham
NG32 1PE

6 miles west of Grantham.

3000 acres

Tel
01476 871001

Visit website

Opening Hours

Please see website for opening dates and times.

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.

Facilities

  • Accessible facilities
  • Children’s play area
  • Children's activities
  • Dogs welcome
  • Free carer entry
  • Gift shop
  • Group rates
  • Picnic area
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets

Features

  • Autumn colour
  • Champion trees
  • Japanese garden
  • Pond or lake
  • Woodland

About the garden

Owned by
Emma Rutland and David Manners

Designed By
Capability Brown

Belvoir Castle is perched on top of a solitary hill surrounded by a Capability Brown landscape and spectacular views of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Amid the 3000 acres of naturally designed landscape, Capability Brown left 26 acres of pleasure gardens for duchesses to leave their own mark. Elizabeth (5th Duchess) faithfully followed Brown’s plan, Violet (8th Duchess) hired Edwardian designer Harold Peto, while Frances (10th Duchess) was a remarkable plantswoman. Emma (11th Duchess) is responsible for today’s 10-year extensive restoration program, with more than 13 acres of woodlands being cleared and replanted with rare trees and shrubs, including magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas, Enkianthus, and Styrax to name a few.

Carved into the steep hill of the castle is a formal Rose Garden that leads to wonderful views of rhododendrons over the statue garden and parterre. The Japanese woodland is full of camellias, Prunus and acers, followed by beautiful blue hydrangeas in August. The horseshoe-shaped Spring Gardens are sheltered from west winds and contain plants such as Tetrapanax, Melianthus and Euphorbia mellifera. The root and moss house with its thatched roof overlooks long, terraced herbaceous borders sheltered beneath a monkey-puzzle tree once viewed by Queen Victoria. The seven-acre Hermits Garden was cleared in 2013 and planted with unusual ericaceous-loving trees and shrubs. This planting theme has been carried on into the five-acre Carlisle Wood set amid sequoias and majestic candelabra pines.

The topography at Belvoir undoubtedly makes these gardens unique, with views around every corner, punctuated with lakes, statues or champion trees. The gardens still have plenty of undisturbed areas for wildlife.

With miles of new walks and tracks, we recommend you bring a good pair of shoes and leave plenty of time to discover the new gems at Belvoir.

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.

Plants of special interest

  • Alliums
  • Bluebells
  • Camellias
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Clematis
  • Conifers
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodils
  • Dahlias
  • Ferns
  • Fruit blossom
  • Fruit bushes/trees
  • Grasses
  • Herbs
  • Irises
  • Laburnum
  • Lavender
  • Magnolias
  • Maple
  • Primulas
  • Rhododendrons/azaleas
  • Roses
  • Snowdrops
  • Spring bulbs
  • Topiary
  • Waterlilies
  • Wildflowers
  • Wisteria

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.