Explore National Trust summer gardens in Northamptonshire that celebrate colour, calm and quiet
“Each garden is looked after by a team of the charity’s staff and volunteers and is planted to not only add colour and interest, but support wildlife and nature too. “
Early summer is the perfect time to reconnect with natures quiet rhythms. As borders burst into colour, National Trust gardens in summer invite visitors to slow down and linger a little longer.
Take in the sights and scents of flowers in full bloom and pause for a moment finding a peaceful escape from the pace of everyday life.
Visitors can while away hours in the sunshine meandering along tree-lined paths, through formal gardens and historic parterres, or basking in the warmth of walled kitchen gardens. Shady orchards are home to heritage varieties of fruit trees, and wildflower meadows buzz with life. Enjoy a solo stroll or share the moment with family and friends and pack a picnic for a full day out.
Each garden is looked after by a team of the charity’s staff and volunteers and is planted to not only add colour and interest, but support wildlife and nature too.
To celebrate the colourful, quiet days of early summer, the National Trust has pulled together a list of the best summer gardens to explore now in Northamptonshire.
Lyveden
· Gardens are open daily 10am - 5pm
Lyveden New Bield is a striking Elizabethan estate where an incomplete 400-year-old lodge, and wildflower-rich landscapes create a rare blend of history and nature.
Visitors are invited to explore the herbaceous borders around the Manor courtyard, then wander through the unfinished Elizabethan garden landscape and out into open meadows leading to the historic garden lodge. In early summer, wildflowers such as buttercups, ox-eye daisies and knapweed attract bees and butterflies, including Common Blues, Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites. The Green is perfect spot to spread out a picnic; visitors can also return after the hay cut to enjoy the 300-tree heritage orchard as fruit ripens in late summer and take in sweeping views from the historic earthworks.
Canons Ashby
· Gardens are open daily 10am - 5pm
Canons Ashby House is a historic manor house with beautifully restored gardens, offering visitors a peaceful glimpse into Northamptonshire’s rich heritage and seasonal displays.
In summer, the gardens are filled with drought-resilient perennials, colourful herbaceous borders, and fragrant climbing roses, honeysuckle, and clematis that attract bees and butterflies throughout the day. The vegetable beds provide fresh seasonal produce, with any surplus shared on the honesty bench, while home-grown flowers and plants can often be spotted in the tearoom and gift shop. Visitors may also meet members of the gardening team, who are always happy to share their knowledge.
About the National Trust
The National Trust is an independent conservation charity founded in 1895 to preserve historic and natural places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and open them up for everyone to enjoy. 131 years later and that mission is still at the heart of what we do.
Over the next decade, our cause will be delivered through our People & Nature Thriving strategy. We have three ambitious goals: to restore nature - not just on National Trust land, but everywhere; to end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and to inspire millions more people to care and take action.
With our 5.3m members, 40,000 volunteers, and our supporters, partners and communities, we collectively represent a cause that's bigger than just ourselves: it's about caring for nature and heritage everywhere, for everyone, for ever.