Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Beautiful Gardens and Fun Activities

With gardens such as the Gurkha Memorial Garden, created to showcase Nepal’s dazzling flora, valleys like the Himalayan Valley and a peat garden dating from 1964, there is a network of paths suitable for all abilities. One route takes you through Spring Walk which during May boasts flowers with vibrant colours and tantalising scents, there is so much to see. Or, explore the impressive Centenary Border, the longest double mixed border in the country, planted in 1964 by Sir Harold Hillier to mark the 100th anniversary of his Grandfather founding Winchester Nursery.

Young visitors are well catered for. Not only are there many opportunities to learn for curious minds, there are also many exciting attractions that will bring laughter and happiness to any day out. Face the Wobbly Bridge and watch the shimmering fish swim through the sparkling pond waters. Young explorers will be enchanted by the Jurassic Gunnera Boardwalk, a raised path that cuts through a huge tunnel of Gunnera leaves.

For enthusiastic little monkeys, the Woodland Tree House lets them burn off energy whilst enjoying the large Super Snake Swing and the Flying Carpet Swing. Next, brave the Hilltop Adventures where courageous guests take on a wooden obstacle course, showing off their balancing skills and strength. The Children’s Education Garden was opened in July 2006 by David Attenborough, created for school visits and family learning days, to engage children as they learn. Here you can find six ponds filled with aquatic life and dragonflies, giant bamboo wind chimes and bamboo maze. And, not to miss are their Mediterranean and oak “classrooms” with exotic plants and herbs. 

Wildlife and Ponds 

An abundance of creatures call Sir Harold Hillier Gardens home, with around 80 species of birds and 25 species of butterflies fluttering around the Gardens. Woodland pigs can even be found in the Woods of the World area. Picture a gentle slope leading towards trees from North America, Europe and Japan, where pigs happily trot around while clearing scrubland. 

Keen bird watchers will not regret bringing their binoculars either, as they discover feathered friends around every corner. 

The pond is a beautiful area that is popular with birds large and small, with species including pied wagtails, blue tits, and not to be forgotten, noisy woodpeckers. Lucky guests may even spot the rare kingfisher. Due to the sheer numbers of flowers, the Gardens are a sanctuary for butterflies with easy access to nectar. Visitors will be thrilled to find tortoiseshell, peacock and even white-letter hairstreak butterflies.

Guest will feel any stress melt away as they take a relaxing break at the pond at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens while absorbing the tranquil atmosphere. Next, they will be amazed strolling through the Pinetum, a trail of incredible natural installations of willow sculptures over 3m tall. Due to Sir Harold’s fondness of conifers, sculptures modelled around real pine, spruce and cedar cones steal the show, transporting visitors to a world of whimsy and imagination.

Jermyn’s House and Tilia Tree Café

The large Visitor Pavilion is situated at the entrance to the Gardens and houses facilities such as toilets, a restaurant, a gift shop and an exhibition gallery. Another fascinating piece of history is Jermyn’s House where Sir Harold lived, originally it was surrounded by fields and paddocks and is where Sir Harold planted his most loved plants. 

Tilia Tree Café, which opened in 2019, is located just behind the House and provides refreshments and a resting point for guests. With hot and cold drinks, and delicious light lunches, snacks and afternoon teas, visitors will soon be satisfied and ready to continue their day. Hillier Garden Centre provides green fingered guests a chance to take home a great souvenir that will be a fantastic reminder of a magical day.