Notice of temporary gallery closure: Please note that part of our Rooms Through Time (1878 to 2049) will be temporarily closed to the public on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 September due to scheduled filming. Our gardens and other galleries remain open as usual. We appreciate your understanding.

Open today, 10am - 5pm. Free entry.

Knot garden

A symmetrically arranged garden, designed to be seen from above.

Date

Open 10am to 5pm Every Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

Price

Free

A series of small bushes form a cross pattern with planted pots within the pattern.
Gardens

About

Knot gardens were first created in the 1550s, arranged in a square with a formal symmetrical design. They were designed to be viewed from an upstairs window, so were often located close to the house.

Knot gardens were popular for wealthier homes during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Original designs for knot gardens were usually inspired by patterns on objects found in the home, such as carpets, cushions, carvings and embroidery.

Our knot garden design is taken directly from a motif on an oak cupboard in our collection. The cupboard was made in England in about 1620 and would have been used to store cups, glasses and condiments.

A hand holding up a smartphone displaying information and an image of a terraced house from 1978, with the actual display blurred in the background.

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