Dumfries House awarded prestigious 2025 garden accolade

Dumfries House was named garden of the year. <i>(Image: Getty)</i>
Dumfries House was named garden of the year. (Image: Getty)
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DUMFRIES House has scooped a prestigious garden award following a public vote.

The estate's green space was named Royal Horticultural Society's Garden of the Year in the fifth year of the competition.

It is the garden's first award since being completely transformed after being saved by The King's Foundation in 2007.

Until 2012, the garden was overgrown and derelict, before it was completely turned upside down into the popular visitor spot that it is today.

The late Queen Elizabeth visited the estate in 2014 to officially open the Walled Garden, with estate's whole garden area receiving the most votes from visitors, who called it "exceptional", "spectacular" and "inclusive".

Melissa Simpson is the head of gardens at the estate. (Image: The King's Foundation)

Melissa Simpson, head of horticulture at Dumfries House Estate, said: “His Majesty’s vision for Dumfries House Estate was to inspire, educate and train people, and encourage kids to get out into nature, especially in our local community, one of the most deprived areas in Scotland.

“Winning the RHS Partner Garden of the Year – our first award for the garden – means such a lot to us. The King is absolutely delighted.”

The garden champions sustainability, with between 600 and 1,000 small trees planted every year along the riverbank or within the wider woodlands.

Dumfries House's gardens are ever popular all year round, with the Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden being considered the jewel in the crown.

Other highlights include a Japanese garden, a maze, tree-lined avenues and an arboretum.

“We’re constantly adding to the garden,” Melissa added.

“We are in the process of developing a 15-acre woodland garden featuring lots of roses and a stumpery. There’s always something new to see.”

Dumfries House Estate was crowned the overall winner for 2025, voted for by many visitors who praised its exceptional beauty and the calming experience the garden offers.

One voter said: “Coming from a working-class background and living in Glasgow’s more deprived areas, I never thought I’d appreciate a country house and its gardens.

"However, my visit to Dumfries House Estate opened my eyes. I brought my children here and just fell in love with the place."

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