2-for-1 Gardens - Castles

Order your May issue, including 2-for-1 Gardens card and guide, here

Crathes Castle

The charming Arts and Crafts garden at Crathes Castle, near Aberdeen, provides plentiful year-round planting inspiration. Ancient yew topiary encloses the lovingly maintained borders and garden rooms. Visit in late summer and delight in the warm gold and russet tones of the borders, as well as the newly refurbished rose garden. Over the coming months, take a scenic autumn walk around Coy Burn. Once inside the castle, keep an eye out for the Horn of Leys, said to have been gifted to Crathes from Robert the Bruce.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments and hot food

Find out more about Crathes Castle in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Crathes Castle website for more details

Blarney Castle

For centuries, visitors to Blarney Castle, near Cork, have been kissing the infamous Blarney Stone, hoping to be blessed with ‘the gift of the gab’. However, if you don’t want to tackle the 128 steps up to find it, there is plenty to enjoy in the gardens. Explore the carnivorous courtyard and poison garden to discover the poisonous plants which can be found in the wild, or in our own back gardens. Visit the woodland, lake and river beyond and keep an eye out for wildlife ranging from red squirrels to kingfishers. There are also caves and dungeons to see.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Not permitted
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments and hot food

Find out more about Blarney Castle in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Blarney Castle website for more details

Carisbrooke Castle

Full of royal history, Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight, is where Charles I was imprisoned before his execution. Luckily, other royals have enjoyed happier residences at Carisbrooke, including the daughter of Queen Victoria, Beatrice. The walled garden became her own privy garden which she enjoyed on her visits to the castle. Opened in 2013, the Princess Beatrice garden, designed by Chris Beardshaw, is a tribute to the Princess. Combining the original design with motifs from her royal coat of arms.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments and hot food

Find out more about Carisbrooke Castle in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Carisbrooke Castle website for more details

Bolton Castle Gardens

Bolton Castle, which overlooks the Wensleydale valley in North Yorkshire, is the perfect spot for history and horticulture lovers alike. Explore each themed garden to discover a different part of medieval life. For example, the beds in the herb garden are arranged according to the ailments the plants were used to treat. Or, in the dyer’s garden you can find the plants which were used to dye medieval clothing, such as madder and woad. There is also a maze, vineyard, falconry displays and a herd of a wild boar, so there is no chance of running out of things to see.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Not permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments

Find out more about Bolton Castle in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Bolton Castle website for more details

Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle, in Kent, is one of our 2-for-1 Gardens which is open all year. This 14th-century moated castle sits nestled within 780 acres of grade I listed parkland, perfect for a late-summer picnic or a long walk on a crisp autumn day. Both the gardens and the parkland are an example of the picturesque style. This is an aesthetic movement which crafted foregrounds and backdrops, in the same way a painter would plan a composition, so the garden merges naturally into its countryside setting.

• Disabled access: Partial access
• Dogs: Permitted on the lead
• Single visitor discount: Not available
• Refreshments: Light refreshments and hot food

Find out more about Scotney Castle in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme

Visit the Scotney Castle website for more details