Historic Plantings

Victorian enthusiasm for the newly discovered redwoods shaped many of Britain's finest estates. These places still carry that history.

9 places

Giant Sequoia

Benmore Botanic Garden

Dunoon · Argyll and Bute

Home to one of the most impressive giant sequoia avenues in Britain. Planted in 1863 from seeds brought directly from California, the avenue of over a hundred sequoias creates a cathedral-like approach to the garden. The trees are now among the tallest in Scotland.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Leighton Hall Sequoia Grove

Welshpool · Powys

The Leighton Estate near Welshpool contains what is believed to be the tallest giant sequoia in Wales and one of the tallest in Britain. Planted in the 1860s as part of an ambitious Victorian planting programme, the grove includes multiple champion-sized trees in a dramatic hillside setting.

Restricted access

Giant Sequoia +1

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Tetbury · Gloucestershire

One of the greatest tree collections in the world, with outstanding giant sequoias and coast redwoods among its 2,500 tree species. The sequoias here include some of the finest specimens in England, planted in the Victorian era when the arboretum was established by Robert Holford.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens

East Budleigh · Devon

A Victorian-era botanical garden with one of the finest collections of conifers in south-west England, including impressive giant sequoias in the historic pinetum. The gardens have been accumulating remarkable trees since the early 19th century.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Stranraer · Dumfries and Galloway

Historic castle gardens with outstanding mature giant sequoias planted in the 1850s. The setting between two lochs creates an extraordinary landscape of rare trees, formal avenues, and sweeping views. One of south-west Scotland's finest designed landscapes.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Stobo · Scottish Borders

An outstanding specialist tree garden in the Scottish Borders managed by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Dawyck has remarkable giant sequoias among one of the finest dendrological collections in Britain, set in a steep valley carved by the Scrape Burn.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Killerton Estate

Broadclyst · Devon

A National Trust estate with fine giant sequoias in the historic hillside garden. Killerton was one of the earliest Devon estates to plant the newly introduced sequoias in the 1850s and 1860s. The trees stand prominently on the wooded hillside behind the house.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Sheffield Park Garden

Uckfield · East Sussex

A National Trust garden of exceptional beauty with outstanding giant sequoias among the great collection of trees. Sheffield Park is known for its four linked lakes, autumn colour, and a remarkable variety of heritage conifers including some very large Victorian-era sequoias.

Open to public

Giant Sequoia

Tyntesfield

Wraxall · North Somerset

A spectacular Victorian Gothic estate managed by the National Trust, with giant sequoias in the woodland gardens. Tyntesfield was built and planted by the Gibbs family in the 1860s–1880s and represents one of the best-preserved Victorian estates in England. The sequoias date from this period.

Open to public

More routes

Giant Sequoia Places

The giant sequoia — the largest tree by volume on Earth — was introduced to Britain in the 1850s. These are standout places to encounter it across the UK.

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Free to Visit

Redwood places that are open to the public at no charge, with straightforward access and no ticket needed.

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Best for Photography

Dramatic avenues, towering groves, and atmospheric woodland — places that reward a camera and a slow walk.

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Find more redwood places across Britain.

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