Around a 35-minute drive from Hawthorns Caravan Park you’ll find Holehird Gardens. The home of The Lakeland Horticultural Society since 1969, the beautiful gardens are one of many opportunities to get back to nature in the Lake District. Located near Windermere in Cumbria, the 10 acre gardens are open to visitors every day and provide something to see all year round.
A donation is recommended for adults visiting the gardens, with free entry for children. The donations play a significant part in helping to maintain the gardens, which are run entirely by volunteers of the LHS. Visitors are asked to leave their donations at reception or in the collection boxes provided.
Things to see at Holehird Gardens
Visitors can enjoy a large variety of planting styles spread over rock and heather gardens and inside display houses. The gardens consist of its main centrepiece; the Walled Garden, as well as upper and lower gardens and a newly built Victorian-style display house.
Reception
From April to October volunteers are on hand at reception situated inside the entrance of the Walled Garden from 10am to 4pm to provide visitor information, garden maps, guides, plant information leaflets, postcards and refreshments.
Plant For Sale
Plants grown at Holehird Gardens can be purchased inside the Walled Garden. When the area is not manned by volunteers, visitors are asked to kindly pay for plants in Visitor Information, or leave payment in the donation box provided.
Guided Walks
Every Wednesday morning from May to September visitors are welcome to join volunteer-led guided walks. No fee is required for this service and there is no need to book in advance – just meet outside Visitor Information at 11am.
Getting to Holehird Gardens
There are two fantastic walking routes to get to Holehird Gardens from Windermere. A leaflet containing Information on these walks can be obtained at the start of the walks from Windermere Information, near Windermere railway station.
Free parking is available outside the Walled Garden. At busy periods, overflow parking is provided. Coach parties are welcome with parking provided at the bottom of the drive, but advance booking is required.
Visitors with limited mobility have access to most of the Walled Garden. Please note that visitors are asked to be aware that some of the rookery slopes include steep steps some areas unsuitable for wheelchairs. A disabled toilet is accessible by RADAR key in the courtyard area.
Dogs are not permitted inside the gardens, with the exception of assistance dogs.
If you’d like to get more involved with the gardens, The Lakeland Horticultural Society happily welcome new members. Membership is £18 per year for an individual member, and £27 for two people who live at the same address. Visit the Holehird Gardens website for more information and to download a membership application form.
If you’re exploring the area, see our guide for things to in the Lake District for other ideas to combine on a day trip around the lakes.
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