Garden landscapes have always been given attention since the feudal period, from monasteries to castles, citadels to palaces. In the 17th century, castle architecture boomed, elaborate works and large-scale designs were encouraged. Therefore, landscape design became even more important, and has been always cared for and restored to the modern era.
Adare Manor Castle and Gardens - Limerick, Ireland
Adare Manor is a Gothic-style building that recently reopened. The 840-acre estate is part of the largest restoration project of its kind in Ireland. The landscape design was led by architects Reardon Smith, with a focus on the chapel and walled garden.
Attention was also paid to the addition and maintenance of the botanical gardens, meadow parks, and forests surrounding the estate. In the entire project, there are a total of 177 botanical gardens, 2,675 forest trees, 100,000 shrubs, and more than 500 valuable ornamental plants.
Ashford Castle - County Mayo, Ireland
Once owned by the Guinness family in the 19th century, the castle sits on 350 acres of land on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong, and is now part of the Red Carnation hotel group. It was once the first falconry and breeding ground in Europe.
The garden inside Ashford Castle is called Tollman Garden, unveiled in late 2016 - previously known as Sunken. The entrance to the garden has now been greatly expanded, making it more accessible to visitors.
Beau-Rivage Palace - Lausanne, Switzerland
Set on 10 acres of private land next to Lake Geneva with majestic views of the Alps, the castle is now an impressive and popular resort.
The garden is the burial place of Coco Chanel's dog - the founder of the famous fashion house Chanel. The palace, opened in 1861, is a collection of seasonal plants and unique Swiss sculptures.
Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle - Maincy, France
With gardens designed by the famous landscape architect André le Nôtre, the château is widely recognized as the predecessor of the Versailles Gardens, the royal estate of the same name. Vaux-le-Vicomte features classical Baroque architecture, typical of the architecture of the time of Louis XIV.
The landscape includes large gardens containing many water basins, canals, fountains and gravel paths. At Christmas, the church here is decorated with the most magnificent and expensive decorations in the world.
Château du Grand-Lucé Hotel - Loire Valley, France
The castle is 45,000 m2 wide.2This neoclassical style castle is located in France's picturesque Loire Valley (just an hour's train ride from Paris). Beyond the opulence of the limestone chateau are the stunning gardens, with elegant walkways, a swimming pool, a greenhouse, and some of the finest oak trees in France.
The hotel is owned by Marcy Holthus, who also owns the famous Washington School House in the US. Château du Grand-Lucé has now been restored, with its interior and exterior restored by Paul Allen Design.
Botanical Garden at Cliveden House - England
Nicknamed the Versailles of Great Britain, Cliveden House is located in the Berkshire countryside (an hour's drive from London). It boasts picturesque gardens on 37 acres of National Trust land.
This 350-year-old castle was commissioned by the Duke of Buckingham II. The original landscaping has been restored to include a swimming pool, a maze of trees and the Parterre Botanical Garden overlooking the River Thames.
Sanssouci Summer Palace - Potsdam, Germany
Another Versailles Park in Germany is the Sanssouci Palace, built by Frederick the Great in the 18th century. Sanssouci has a beautiful landscape on the slopes with Rococo-style flower and vegetable gardens, along with a unique terraced vineyard.
To restore its original function, designer Ferdinand von Arnim renovated the palace courtyard with a system of terraced trees, a Baroque-style ornamental garden and a greenhouse for growing tropical fruits. Marble statues at the foot of the fountain create a majestic and magnificent beauty.
Garden in Jardim das Portas do Sol park - Santarém, Portugal
Set within the walls of an ancient Arab castle, the park boasts views of the Tejo River, villages, fields and ancient Roman ruins. More than just a historical landmark, the park is also a source of pride and a favorite destination for Portuguese citizens and royalty.
The garden attracts millions of tourists every year, for its beauty and monuments such as the majestic statue of Portuguese King Afonso Henriques I.
