Vote for Burghley House: Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2026
The gardens of Burghley House are undoubtedly spectacular, and if you agree, now’s the time to cast your vote, as Stamford’s best-loved landmark seeks to secure the title of Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2026
“32 years of being a professional gardener,” says Joe Whitehead. He returned to Burghley House in 2017, having previously tended the grounds from 1997 to 2002 before leaving to pursue an RHS Wisley Diploma in Practical Horticulture.
Joe and his team are now reaping the rewards of their enthusiasm and the careful ongoing development of the gardens, with the work of previous years still providing obvious benefits. Still, there is plenty to do, both in terms of the gardens’ future development and the day-to-day upkeep required to maintain them.
The dedication of the team is one of the reasons Burghley House is one of just six finalists in the Historic Houses Garden of the Year competition. Having made the shortlist, the public is now being invited to vote for their favourite via the association’s website (www.historichouses.org), recognising the work and creativity of the team who care for the gardens.
“If a gardener’s not busy in May, then there’s something wrong,” he says. “This year has been one of the best springs I can remember for a long time,” he adds. After a wet winter, the gardens have responded with vigour. “Everything just woke up not stressed, not dry, full of moisture in the ground, and with quite a lot of warmth.”
Two gardens, one destination
Visitors can explore two distinct yet complementary spaces. The Sculpture Garden integrates contemporary art within sweeping borders, wildflower planting and long views across Capability Brown’s great lake. The Garden of Surprises, inspired by Elizabethan ideas and historic records, offers a theatrical sequence of enclosed spaces animated by water, playful features and bold, architectural planting.
Visitors can engage with the gardens in many ways, whether through horticulture, art, planting, history, seasonal change or simple enjoyment of being outdoors, making Burghley genuinely a garden for all.
New for 2026, interpretation boards add insight into the planting and sculpture, and improved pathways and wayfinding enhance accessibility. Joe leads a small team of seven gardeners, supported by around 25 volunteers. He insists the gardens are a collective achievement.
“Everything you see comes from the collective mind of the gardens team,” he says. “From new planting schemes to new paths and ongoing work to support biodiversity, it’s a shared effort across staff and volunteers.”
A garden built in layers
The result is a garden that feels richer, fuller and more confident than ever. Over the past seven or eight years, Joe and his team have planted more than 100,000 plants, many of which are now maturing into the layered displays he always imagined.
“Planting’s all about layers,” he says. “You can put five, six, seven or eight different layers into a border, so one thing always comes through; a flower grows through foliage, the flower offsets the foliage, the foliage offsets the flower…”
“We’re typically working three to five years ahead,” he says. “When we plan a space, we’re always considering how it will develop over that time.”
Three generations of gardeners
Joe’s love of gardening runs deep. He is the third generation of gardeners in his family, following both his great-grandfather and grandfather into the profession. As a child, he spent time on the Somerset estate where his grandfather was Head Gardener, wandering through walled gardens, carnation houses and greenhouses.
“His influence was huge,” he says. “I think, one way or another, I was destined to be a gardener.”
Burghley, though, is on another scale. The gardens cover more than 46 acres, sitting within Capability Brown’s celebrated landscape and beside the 26-acre lake he designed.
In the Sculpture Garden alone, Joe estimates there are now more than 1,000 varieties of plants, from woodland perennials to tropical beds featuring bananas, gingers, salvias and the Congo parrot plant.
“We want people to experience something different and unexpected as they move through the garden,” he says. “There’s a real sense of discovery from one area to the next.”
A riot of colour
In summer, Burghley is a riot of colour. The wildflower meadows begin to glow, the herbaceous borders erupt, and around 1,000 David Austin roses produce their first flush in the South Gardens, which are open for one week this month.
“When they all peak, it’s a lovely space, very scented and beautiful,” Joe says. Among his favourites are Gertrude Jekyll and Queen of Sweden, the latter prized for floristry in the house.
A living environment, not a finished picture
Joe believes what makes Burghley distinctive is its long history of thoughtful garden-making.
“From its beginnings under William Cecil to the extraordinary vision of Capability Brown, whose influence still defines the landform and views today, Burghley has never stood still,” he says.
“We’re caring for a garden where stewardship is both a privilege and a responsibility. There’s a strong sense of heritage, but also willingness to adapt and refine the gardens over time. They’re not a finished picture, but a living environment shaped by plants, people and nature.”
Visiting and voting
Burghley Gardens are open to visitors from February to November. Admission booked online in advance costs £11 per adult and £8.50 per child. For further information, visit burghley.co.uk.
Vote for Burghley House to be named Garden of the Year at www.historichouses.org/garden-of-the-year-2026/.
FAQ
How can I vote for Burghley House as Garden of the Year 2026? You can vote for Burghley House in the Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2026 competition at www.historichouses.org/garden-of-the-year-2026/. Burghley is one of just six finalists.
How big are the gardens at Burghley House? The gardens cover more than 46 acres, sitting within Capability Brown’s celebrated landscape and beside the 26-acre lake he designed, and include the Sculpture Garden and the Garden of Surprises.
When can I visit Burghley Gardens? Burghley Gardens are open to visitors from February to November. Admission booked online in advance costs £11 per adult and £8.50 per child — see burghley.co.uk.
