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11 virtual garden tours to do from home

Here are 11 free virtual garden tours, from the UK and abroad, that can bring beautiful gardens right to your doorstep

Gardens Illustrated Team

Thanks to a multitude of virtual tours, if you struggle to get out and about, or you are miles away from the gardens you'd love to see, you can still get a garden fix from your own home. Here are our top 12 virtual garden tours.

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National Trust’s Hidcote

Take a 360-degree tour around the old garden, plant house and spectacular red borders of the National Trust’s Hidcote Manor Gardens in Gloucestershire. The Art & Craft-inspired garden, created in 1907, is known for its intimate garden rooms as well as the Fuchsia Garden and Bathing Pool Garden. Take the tour here .

Gardens Illustrated 's Virtual Garden Tour series

We like bringing garden people together and as you can't come to the gardens, we're bringing them to you. We have teamed up with gardens up and down the country to create virtual garden tours you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. So far there's been Iford Manor near Bath and Chastleton House Garden too. Don't miss them as more arrive.

Highgrove Gardens

Even the gardens of the private residence of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall aren’t out of bounds for a virtual tour. Sustainability is the focus for the gardens at Highgrove, with designs made to keep the garden growing in harmony with nature. The Cottage Garden, Thyme Walk, Lily Pool Garden and Sundial Garden are all available to tour online here.

Waddeson Manor Gardens

Waddeson Manor was built between 1874 and 1885 by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild and soon became a buzzing hive of socialites, artists and high society. In 1959 the grand house and gardens were opened to the public for all to admire and enjoy. The garden is known for its calm beauty and its Victorian horticulture including formal gardens, trees and walks. You can now view the gardens online too, complete with a relaxing piano soundtrack, here.

Kew Gardens

Take a tour of the top ten sights to see at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kew Gardens, with guided commentary from Kew Garden experts along the way. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew has thirty-seven acres of woodland, 14,000 trees and 50,000 different plant species. The picturesque Victorian glasshouses and Alpine rock garden are two other noteworthy sights. Try and spot them all here.

Explore all areas of The RHS’s Wisley garden online, including the Glasshouse, Wisteria Walk, Rock Garden and The Mixed Borders. You can also get an aerial view of the gardens, shot during the autumn period. Take a look here.

Birmingham Botanic Gardens

Step inside the Garden Suite at Birmingham Botanic Gardens to see a range of tropical plants, succulents and cacti. Although predominantly used for events, the Botanic Garden is situated in an idyllic spot, with plenty of plants on display. Explore the Garden Suite here.

Arundel Castle

Hot subtropical borders, herbaceous borders, a stumpery, a wild flower garden, two glasshouses with exotic fruit and vegetables, a walled flower, a babbling fountain and an organic kitchen garden are some of the things to spot at The Collector Earls Garden at Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Here head gardener Martin Duncan shows us around the beautiful sights. Take the tour here.

Monet’s garden at Giverny

Hop across the channel for a virtual tour and guide of Monet’s spectacular garden at Giverny in Normandy, France. Royal Academy curator Ann Dumas and head gardener James Priest provide commentary alongside a video tour of the famous garden, including the wonderful lily pond. View the garden here.

United States Botanic Garden

For something further afield, why not try a virtual tour of the United States Botanic Garden, located in Washington D.C. On the tour you’ll be able to explore the Conservatory, National Garden and Bartholdi Park. You can also do an audio tour and view photos of the garden and how it has developed over the last 200 years. Take a virtual wander here.

Scotland’s Garden Scheme

There’s a chance to see a wide number of gardens that usually open for Scotland’s Garden Scheme through virtual tours given by garden owners such as Terrill and Gavin Dobson at their Herbalist’s Garden at Logie House, Kirriemuir. The physic garden is divided into eight rectangles that contain more than 150 medicinal herbs. The garden also features a herbaceous border and a productive garden. Donations will help to raise money for hundreds of charities supported by the scheme. Scotlandsgardens.org

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10 Virtual Garden Tours That Are Drop-Dead Gorgeous

While there’s nothing quite like the fresh smell of spring flowers, now is a great time to feast your eyes on the blooming Boboli or Monet gardens. Tons of incredible green spaces around the world are delivering their lush views online, which means you can traipse through medieval Italian flower beds, French chateaux and Hawaiian ravines from the comfort of your living room. Here, ten of the most gorgeous virtual garden tours to bring a little springtime into your home.

Airbnb Is Launching New Virtual Experiences to Keep You Entertained

1. brooklyn Botanic Garden (brooklyn, New York)

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is keeping watch on cherry blossoms, and you can follow along as the petal pink flowers go from pre-bloom, first bloom, peak bloom and post-peak bloom. You can also virtually stroll the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and the Cherry Esplanade and Cherry Walk , for additional cherry blossom content.

2. keukenhof (lisse, Netherlands)

You’ve always wanted to catch a glimpse of those famous Holland tulips, haven’t you? Well, now you can, with a 360-degree guided tour of the gardens. Dating back to the 15th century, Keukenhof has become synonymous with spring bulbs, and the annual event brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. In this case, we get to skip the lines and fly by tourists with this three-minute video.

3. longwood Gardens (kennett Square, Pennsylvania)

With over 1,083 acres of manicured lawns, forests, meadows and greenhouses, these gardens are most definitely worth a field trip IRL. But in the meantime, the garden’s “Look and Breathe” program composed of video and photos allows you to bring a little springtime into your own home.

4. butchart Gardens (brentwood Bay, British Columbia)

A century ago, the area where Buchart Gardens now stands was actually a limestone quarry. The empty pit has since been completely transformed into lavish gardens, complete with a hand-carved carousel. And while a trip to see the real thing will have to wait, you can currently experience their lo-fi virtual garden tour that’s composed of photos.

5. giardini Botanici Villa Taranto (verbania, Italy)

South of the Alps and north of Milan, Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto sits on the shore of Lake Maggiore where herbaceous eucalyptus and giant Amazon lilies grow alongside Japanese maples. Clicking on their interactive garden map will take you from the terraced gardens to the dahlias. Pour yourself a glass of Italian wine and choose your own adventure.

6. gardens Of Villandry (villandry, France)

The Villandry is one of the great chateaux built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance, but its gardens, for the history alone, are a worth a peruse in their own right. The vast landscape includes water gardens, a hedge maze, two ornamentals gardens, a kitchen garden and so much more. Take yourself a on a self-guided tour and waste away an entire afternoon. À bientôt!

7. the Hawaii Tropical Botanic Garden (papaikou, Hawaii)

This lush slice of paradise located in Onomea Valley on the Big Island is not your average flower bed. An elevated boardwalk winds down the narrow Kahalii ravine where visitors can explore exotic tropical growth like giant bamboo, banana trees, ginger plants, orchids and heliconias. And this is Hawaii, people, so of course there are waterfalls, rambling streams and views of the ocean.

8. waddesdon Manor (waddesdon, England)

Built between 1874 and 1885, Waddesdon Manor was originally constructed by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild to display his collection of art. In 1959, the estate opened to the public (yes, even dogs!). In addition to the building and art collection, the grounds and gardens are a breathtaking example of Victorian horticulture, including formal gardens, trees and walks. What was originally designed for Baron Rothschild’s fancy guests can be viewed from your couch—no formal attire required.

9. giardino Di Boboli (florence, Italy)

The Giardino di Boboli, constructed by the Medici family (aka the Kardashians of the Renaissance), became the model for Italian garden styles—vast green expanses, grottos and fountains. You won’t find another garden replete with such architectural wonders as this one—which also happens to include a rare Tuscan example of Rococo architecture . You can explore the fascinating architecture and design as well as the botany and sculpture on the property with the simple click of a link.

10. Claude Monet Giverny Garden (giverny, France)

Whether you’re an impressionist enthusiast or budding botanist, the gardens at Claude Monet’s house in the French village of Giverny are breathtaking. There are two gardens to peruse, the Clos Normand in front of the house where Monet (yep, the painter himself was a passionate gardener) mixed a sweeping array flowers to create a harmonious display of different colors, heights and volumes, and the Japanese-inspired water garden brimming with water lilies, weeping willows and wisteria-covered bridges that may look familiar to any Monet lover.

12 Virtual Museum Tours for Kids

Executive Editor, Frazzled Mom, Bravo-Holic

Virtual Tours

Welcome to the verdant beds of Smithsonian Gardens, splashed with color and buzzing with activity. Morning walks along shady garden paths are calling. We would like to offer you virtual tours through our gardens, exhibits, and greenhouses.

Tour Our Gardens on the National Mall

Get acquainted with iconic sights from our fourteen display gardens on the Mall.

Tour the 2022 Orchid Exhibition

See the many blooms of “ Orchids: Hidden Stories of Groundbreaking Women .”

Tour of the Flight Garden at the National Air & Space Museum

Take a walk through the Flight Garden, part of Smithsonian Gardens’ Habitat exhibit, designed to attract birds and butterflies.

Tour of the Poinsettias at the Greenhouse

Take a tour of the poinsettias grown at the Smithsonian Gardens Greenhouse.

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

8 stunning virtual garden tours around the world

These are bloomin' beautiful...

Make the most of your sofa-surfing time and take a visual journey through some of the most impressive gardens with your feet up and a cup of tea in hand.

Soak up the beauty of the plants and historic architecture at Kew Gardens, wander with awe through the colour explosion at the flower -filled Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam, and jet off to the paradisiacal palm-fringed jungle canopy of the Hawaiian Tropical Botanic Garden.

Discover eight mood-boosting virtual garden tours below...

Kew Garden, Richmond, England

Surely the UK's crowning garden jewel, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting 37 acres of woodland, 14,000 trees and over 50,000 living plants.

Kew Palace is where its rich history, spanning nearly 400 years, began; the Arboretum is a living library of trees; and the Marianne North Gallery boasts over 800 paintings of plants and flowers. There are also several beautiful historic follies scattered throughout the gardens, including the Pagoda, built in 1762 for Princess Augusta.

Claude Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France

Monet's Water Lilies, a series of 250 paintings, were all inspired by his beautiful garden in Giverny, Normandy.

There are in fact two parts to Monet's garden: a flower garden called Clos Normand which sits in front of the house, and the Japanese-inspired Water Garden on the other side of the road. Both are exquisitely beautiful, and contrast and complement one another.

Monet and his family settled in Giverny in 1883, but it wasn't until 10 years later in 1893 that he bought the piece of land neighbouring his property on the other side of the railway, where the water garden now lies.

As arguably the most important painter of gardens in the history of art, Claude Monet himself once said he owed his painting 'to flowers'.

Take a virtual tour

Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, England

A Rothschild family home since the late 1800s and a National Trust property, the utterly majestic Waddesdon Manor is a French Renaissance château, built in the 19th century, and filled with royal treasures and an extensive art collection.

The gardens are an exceptional example of late Victorian garden design, and were first conceived by Ferdinand de Rothschild and extended by Alice de Rothschild.

Lined with beautiful blooms, tall trees and elegant sculptures and fountains, the gardens are looked after by 19 horticulturists plus a team of dedicated volunteers.

When Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild purchased the Waddesdon Estate in 1874, he had large trees transplanted from near-by estates to create an instant garden. His favourite were the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) trees, many of which were transplanted over 140 years ago and still survive.

Take a tour of the interiors here , and the gardens below.

RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, England

The RHS Wisley Garden in Surrey is one of the world's greats, packed with endless horticultural inspiration. The stunning Mixed Borders are probably the most iconic and celebrated area of the garden.

Originally designed by horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas, the borders are 128m long and 6m wide and backed by hornbeam hedges. The beautiful Laboratory building is a must-see. You can go on a virtual tour in pictures here , or a video tour below.

Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago, US

Every year, more than one million people visit the Chicago Botanic Garden, which boasts 385 acres of land with 27 gardens and four natural areas, including an English Oak Meadow, the Plant Science Centre, Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, and a renowned Bonsai Collection .

The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and operated by the Chicago Horticultural Society.

Keukenhof, Amsterdam, Holland

Looking for an exquisite, show-stopping array of flowers? This is it. The Keukenhof, which in Dutch means 'kitchen garden', has been around since the 15th century and covers 32 hectares. It became a public garden in 1950 and now welcomes over a million visitors a year. From the authentic 19th-century windmill, to the gigantic flower bulb mosaic, covering an area of 250m² and consisting of 50,000 tulips, grape hyacinths and crocuses, it's utterly spectacular.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Papaikou, Hawaii

This one-of-a-kind garden is a museum of living plants and it is truly beautiful. The Garden's collection of tropical plants is international in scope with over 2,000 species, representing more than 125 families and 750 genera.

Opened in 1984 by owner Dan J. Lutkenhouse, it's since been sold to a non-profit trust for the public to enjoy. Mr.Lutkenhouse, himself, chose the location of every plant and tree introduced to the Garden.

Throughout the tropical rainforest there are bubbling streams, beautiful waterfalls and exciting ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast.

US Botanic Gardens, Washington, US

Established in 1820, this is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The US Botanic Garden is located in Washington, and is supervised by the Congress through the Architect of the Capitol, who is responsible for maintaining the grounds of the United States Capitol.

From roses to orchids, the rainforest to the Mid-Atlantic, and rare and endangered plants, you will find a world of horticultural delights in the permanent exhibits and gardens. Any time of year, you'll see something beautiful in bloom at the US Botanic Garden Conservatory, the National Garden, and Bartholdi Park.

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Virtual Garden Tours: Touring Gardens While Home

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It isn’t always possible to travel these days and many tourist sites are closed due to Covid-19. Fortunately for gardeners and nature lovers, a number of botanic gardens around the world have made it possible to enjoy virtual garden tours from the comfort of home. 

Touring Gardens While Homebound

While there are far too many online garden tours to include here, these are a few examples that may speak some interest:

• Founded in 1820, the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the nation. This virtual tour of a garden includes a tropical jungle, desert succulents , rare and endangered plants, and much more. 
• Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden , on the Big Island of Hawaii, boasts more than 2,000 species of tropical plants. Online garden tours include trails, streams, waterfalls, wildlife, and birds.
• Open in 1862, Birmingham Botanic Gardens in Birmingham, England is home to more than 7,000 plant species, including desert and tropical plants. 
• See Claude Monet’s famous garden , including his oft-painted lily pond, at Giverny, Normandy, France. Monet spent most of his later years cultivating his beloved garden.
• Located in Brooklyn, New York, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is known for the beautiful cherry blossoms . Online garden tours also include the Desert Pavilion and Japanese Garden. 
• Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon is home to eight gardens inspired by Japanese traditions, including a pond garden, tea garden , and sand and stone garden. 
• Kew Gardens , in London England, consists of 330 acres of beautiful gardens, as well as a palm house and tropical nursery.
• The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is home to one of the largest Japanese gardens in North America. Virtual garden tours also include a bird’s eye view of a magnolia tree collection, visible by aerial drone.
• If you’re touring gardens while home, don’t miss the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, California, with more than 1,700 stunningly beautiful acres of colorful poppies . 
• Keukenhof , located in Amsterdam, Holland, is a spectacular public garden that welcomes more than a million visitors every year. Garden tours online include 50,000 spring bulbs, as well as a huge flower bulb mosaic and a historic 19th century windmill.

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While the USBG has continued altered operations, on-site tours are suspended. Please explore the online virtual and video tour offerings.

Online Virtual and Video Tours

Explore interactive virtual tours and video tours on our Virtual Tours page .

Guided Tours

Free 45-minute highlight tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Please check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival.

Tours on specialized topics or temporary exhibits are scheduled seasonally. Please check our calendar of events to see what may be available as you plan your visit.

Group Tours

Groups of 10 to 15 adults may reserve a free 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations must be made at least four weeks in advance. To arrange a group tour, please email [email protected] or call (202) 226-2055.

Due to high visitation and traffic flow throughout the Garden, no group tours are scheduled during the Cherry Blossom Festival, National Peace Officer’s Memorial (May 15 th ), days immediately preceding and following Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day through the end of the USBG’s holiday show Season’s Greenings (end date for Season's Greenings is the Sunday following New Year's Day). However, groups are more than welcome to visit the Garden during this time.

Due to the group-size limitations and the in-depth nature of our tours, the U.S. Botanic Garden does not offer tours for children or school groups. Please visit our Field Trips & Resources section for more information about planning a trip to the USBG, including age-appropriate activities.

Cell Phone / Smartphone Audio Tour

Use your cell phone to learn more about the gardens and plants at the U.S. Botanic Garden:

Phone call option

To get started, call (202) 730-9303.

Enter a stop number to hear a story about the Garden. You may hang up and redial the tour at any time. During the tour, you can control the audio by pressing 1 to rewind the recording, 2 to pause/play the recording or press # to skip the recording. Normal fees apply to your call.

Smartphone / Web option

Smartphone users can stream audio tour stops by visiting usbg.oncell.com .

Sample audio tour stops: