Dirleton Castle - a late summer garden with an old-fashioned charm

Step through the unassuming gate at Dirleton Castle, East Lothian, and you enter a place which very probably hasn’t changed much, if at all, in the last century. And some of it extends far further into the mists of time.

Now, most will visit because of the castle. No king’s ransom required here, though - just £4.50, giving you access to a remarkably-intact 12th Century castle, complete with drawbridge, pit prison and vaulted cellars. Not all rooms are accessible, but this is reflected by the reduced price.

But you also get access to two very significant gardens, which are at their best in the late summer, and it’s worth visiting just to see them, although the castle is very impressive.

Beside the bowling green lies a reconstruction of a Victorian flower garden. Not large but all very geometric with some very stylishly-shaped beds, and an absolute blast of colour. Victorians loved their carpet bedding and strong colours, and Historic Environment Scotland have faithfully reproduced what this garden would have looked like in the late 1800’s, when the castle had become a home rather than a fortification.

Victorians also loved their exotic trees and there are some beautiful specimens planted around the bowling green, including monkey puzzle and Sequoia species.

But most visitors of a horticultural bent will probably visit for the herbaceous borders, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and dating back to the early 20th Century. 

Until recently, when Kew stole the record, Dirleton boasted the longest herbaceous border in the world, although it should be said that it loops round a large shapely lawn, perhaps modestly hiding its immense length.

But horticulturally-diverse and beautifully maintained it is, and while July-early September is usually the best time for Scottish herbaceous borders, it undoubtedly offers treats earlier and later in the season.

If walled gardens, gritty paths, distinctively-aroma’d box hedging and finely mown lawns (with an old castle thrown in for good measure) are your thing, then you will find heaven in this beautiful garden of scent, colour and texture.

Oh, and you’ll get a lovely welcome from the visitor services staff. Charmingly, this place closes for lunch each day, which seems entirely in keeping with the village itself!

This is not a paid promotion. For details of opening times, visit the Dirleton Castle and Gardens website.