Gresgarth Hall Gardens
ENTRY
from £16
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Lancaster
What it’s like
Wander through wild garden, vegetable plots and rhododendron woodland on one of the handful of open days a year, kids in free.
This isn't a garden you can pop into whenever the sun's out. It only opens its gates on set days, themed open days in February, March and November, plus Sunday public access from April through October, so the visit needs a bit of planning around your calendar rather than the weather forecast.
What you're walking through is a proper private garden rather than a manicured attraction: a wild garden, a vegetable garden, and rhododendron woodland to wander at whatever pace your children fancy. There's no play equipment or trail listed, so this suits kids who are happy pottering, spotting things and getting a bit muddy rather than ones after a big adrenaline hit.
Adults pay £16 on the general open days from April to October, rising to £17 for the special ones in February, March and November, though that price does include a hot chocolate, which takes some of the sting out. Children go in free, which is a decent saving if you've got more than one in tow. Parking is free in the parkland by the entrance, but the paths themselves are gravel and uneven in places, and the site is upfront that you're wandering at your own risk near stepping stones and unsecured bits, so it's not the easiest with a buggy or a wheelchair.
Given the site only really runs 11am to 5pm on the general Sundays, and 11am to 3pm on the themed days, it's worth getting there earlier rather than later if you want a proper unhurried look round.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Kids happy to potter and explore rather than play equipment
- Parking
- Free on-site parking in parkland area
- Wheelchairs
- Mostly accessible. Uneven ground and gravel pathways limit wheelchair access to some parts
- Getting there by bus or train
- Closest train station is Lancaster, 5.5 miles away (10-15 minutes by taxi)
- Only open on set days, not a general drop-in garden
- Themed open days (Feb, March, Nov) run 11am-3pm; general Sunday days run 11am-5pm
- There are unsecured paths and stepping stones, so keep an eye on little ones
- Free parking is in the parkland just past the entrance cattle grid
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£16 for adults on the general open days between April and October. The themed days in February, March and November are £17 but include a hot chocolate. Children go in free.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's nothing to suggest you need to book, just turn up on one of the open days.
Is it open all year round?
No, it only opens for specific days: themed open days in February, March and November, and Sundays from April to October.
Is it OK for a buggy or wheelchair?
Mostly, but not entirely. The gravel pathways and uneven ground mean some parts of the garden aren't accessible for wheelchairs or buggies.
Is there parking?
Free parking in the parkland to the left and right of the entrance, just after the cattle grid.
What is there for children to do?
There's no play equipment, but they can explore the wild garden, vegetable garden and rhododendron woodland at their own pace. Children are welcome and go in free.
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