Enchanted by The Secret Garden? Check out these hidden UK gems

It’s easy to underestimate the importance of this sprawling garden, planted by a naturalist commonly referred to as both an 18th-century David Attenborough and the world’s first ecologist.

Here, in the gardens of his former home in Selborne, Hampshire, Gilbert White meticulously logged all manner of details about what he planted where and when, and these notes were used to create the garden that exists today.

Many of the original features remain, including a stone ha-ha, a beautiful sundial and a towering oak tree, planted in 1730.

Don’t forget to check out the so-called fruit wall, built by White in the 1760s to trap heat and help his beloved fruit trees thrive – look closely and you’ll see his initials scratched into the stonework. Look out for urns, obelisks and statues too.

Trebah Garden, Cornwall

Don’t get us wrong – we’ve got a lot of love for Cornwall’s Eden Project and the nearby Lost Gardens of Heligan but Trebah Garden, near the tiny village of Mawnan Smith, must surely rank as one of England’s most underrated green spaces.

A 25-acre, sub-tropical garden wedged into a forested ravine, the garden’s highlights include its natural spring, the Triffid-like groves of Australian tree ferns, the thick clusters of bamboo and a tiny beach on the banks of the Helford River.

If you’re visiting in autumn or early winter, make a beeline for the Hydrangea Valley, where clouds of pastel-blue blooms are reflected in the water of the Mallard Pond.

Bishop’s Palace Gardens, Chichester

Green-fingered gurus in the know have been seeking out the leafy tranquillity of Chichester’s Bishop’s Palace Gardens for years.

Tucked between the south-western side of the cathedral and the city walls, the garden dates back to the 12th century, although a recent spruce-up saw the addition of water features, a pergola walk and wildlife-friendly areas.

The garden provides a much-needed burst of autumnal colour during the colder months thanks to the arboretum’s 100 or so rare trees and shrubs.

Plantation Garden, Norwich

A true urban retreat in the heart of Norwich, the Plantation Garden is a Grade II-listed horticultural hideaway just metres from Norwich’s centre, hidden in the shadow of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist.

Its position, inside a former chalk pit fringed by noise-muffling trees, makes it a great place to enjoy some noise-free time out, and its highlights include gothic fountains, an Italianate terrace and a beautiful, Victorian-style greenhouse.

The garden was created in 1855 by a wealthy local but was later neglected. In 1980 a charitable trust came to the rescue, clearing away unruly sycamore trees and thick tangles of ivy to restore it to its former glory.

For a walk on the wild side, head to this stately home in the heart of a 13,000-acre estate shaped by the late Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, a socialist MP known as the ‘illogical Englishman’.

Its informal layout makes this a joy to explore. Wander the footpaths that weave through the gardens to find a wide range of changing landscapes, whether it’s untamed forested areas or manicured lawns.

The thick woodland is where you’ll find the easily missed walled garden, a loved spot of Sir Trevelyan’s wife, Lady Mary Trevelyan. Enter this garden via the statue-topped Neptune’s Gate, then glide down the sweeping stone staircase to the Mary Pool water feature.

The Secret Garden is on Netflix now.

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