Gardens and Arboretums to visit in December – You can still have a great day out, with many places dog friendly and wheelchair accessible. Plus, the chance to do Christmas shopping and of course enjoy hot refreshments. We list our favourites including details of wheelchair access, dog friendly or not, cafes and restaurants.
Hillier Arboretum, near Winchester, Hampshire
The number 1 Winter Garden in Britain covering around 4 acres in total, being one of the largest in Europe, plus the rest of the arboretum to stroll around. Partial Wheelchair Access. Restaurant. Shop. No Dogs.
Stourhead Wiltshire – National Trust
Regarded as the finest landscape garden in Europe with lakeside walks, grotto, and follies. Dog Friendly on leads. Wheelchair access. Restaurant. Shop
Trebah Gardens – Cornwall
A great garden leading down through sub-tropical plantings to its own sandy/shingle beach. You may see early camellias. Dog Friendly. Partial wheelchair access. Shop. Restaurant.
Sheffield Park – Sussex – National Trust
A beautiful Capability Brown historic landscape with walks around the lake. Wheelchair Access. Dog friendly except Saturday AM. Restaurant. Shop.
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum – Gloucestershire
2 Arboretums in one with thousands of trees from all over the world. The Silk Wood Arboretum is dog-friendly, but the Old Arboretum is not. Wheelchair access, Restaurant, Shop.
Batsford Arboretum – Gloucestershire
One of our favourite places with Streamside Walk amongst rare trees and shrubs and amazing views over the Cotswold Escarpment. Dog Friendly, Partial Wheelchair access, Restaurant, Shop, Garden Centre.
Croome Court Park – National Trust – Worcestershire
Pathways take you over bridges and past other features including The Temple Greenhouse, The Grotto and Sabrina, The Island Pavilion and various statues.
Dog friendly on leads, Wheelchair Access, Restaurant, Shop
Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales
Bodnant Garden is perched above the River Conwy it has views across the valley to the Snowdonia National Park. Wonderful walks amongst woods and waterfalls.
Partial Wheelchair Access, Dog Friendly on certain days.
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire
A wonderful place to visit in Winter with Bio-Dome housing plants from all over the world. There are a wide range of trails and apps to help you plan and make the most of your visit. Dog Friendly on certain days – see website.
Cambridge Botanic Gardens
Landscape highlights at Cambridge Botanic Garden include the Winter Garden, and trails around the garden through hundreds of rare plants and trees. Good wheelchair access plus shop. No dogs.
Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, London
One of Britain's finest gardens and a world heritage site is situated close to the centre of London. The stunning glasshouses have a rich history and are as they would have been, when first built. No dogs. Wheelchair Access. Restaurants. Shop.
The five RHS Gardens – Wisley- Surrey, Rosemoor – Devon, Hyde Hall, Essex, Harlow Carr – Yorkshire, Bridgewater – Manchester
The perfect destinations for winter visits with extensive walks and something to see any time of the year. Wheelchair Access, No dogs, Restaurants, Shops.
Royal Botanical Garden – Edinburgh
Plenty to see here - a world-famous garden important for it's great selection of plants and reminds one of a slightly smaller Kew. Many walks through rare trees and plants as well as Britain's largest Palm House. No Dogs, Wheelchair Access, Restaurant shops.
We list a further collection of Gardens and Arboretums to visit in Winter - click here