What to expect

Thornbridge Hall is surrounded by a remarkable collection of gardens originally developed in the late 19th century. The landscape was designed around the idea of creating “1,000 shades of green”, with a series of interconnected garden rooms, terraces and features carefully arranged around the hall. Today, visitors can explore the Italian Garden, Water Garden, Koi Lake, herbaceous borders, kitchen garden, Cascade Garden and several other distinctive areas.

The gardens combine historic features with more recent additions created by the current owners and the Thornbridge garden team. Three temples, numerous statues, urns and two grottos provide glimpses into the estate’s Victorian past, while newer areas such as the Modern Knot Garden, Scented Terrace and Orangery give the gardens a more contemporary character.

The hall itself is a Grade II listed building and is only open to the public through guided house tours. Around it, the gardens provide plenty of space to explore at a relaxed pace, with lawns and terraces offering views across the surrounding Derbyshire countryside. The estate also has a café, children’s activities and a smallholding, making it a destination that can appeal to a wide range of visitors.