Open today, Wednesday 29 April

Knot garden

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

Date

Open 10am-5pm during Museum opening hours

Price

Free

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

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.

Free digital guide

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