Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire

Historic Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire has this year joined the RHS Recommended Gardens scheme and will generously offer free garden entry to RHS members from 1 Jan–31 Dec. Now is an especially exciting time to visit the gardens as they undergo extensive restoration work.

When the 6th Duke of Bedford inherited Woburn Abbey, he commissioned Humphry Repton to improve the 17ha (42 acre) gardens and park. Some, but not all, of his designs were completed. Last year, to mark the 200th anniversary of Repton’s plans, work began to introduce some of his original ideas into the garden, and 2.4ha (6 acres) of private gardens were opened to the public for the first time.

Explore the garden and watch as it takes shape – information boards along the Garden Trail will help you to find out more about the gardens and future plans for them. You can also download regular podcasts from Gardens Manager Martin Towsey, from the Woburn Abbey website.

The gardens today are mainly Victorian in style and features include a hornbeam maze, woodland garden, herbaceous borders and a camellia house. There are also various enticing follies, a rockery and grotto, and a bog garden planted with interesting carnivorous plants.

When visiting, simply present your valid RHS Individual Membership card to enjoy free entry to the gardens throughout the open period (Member 1 only).