Our Top 15 Favorite Cottage Gardens
A couple of summers back, during a time of rapid micro-trends and the birth of Cottage Core, a romantic movement emerged. Stemming from a desire to live close to nature with a touch of sophistication, Cottage Core brought forth chintz and wicker-filled interiors, along with lush English-style gardens.
Fast forward to 2025, and the cottage gardens planted in 2020 have matured into rustic, elegant havens. Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces, these gardens offer a sense of tranquility and charm. Picture a warm summer evening with blooming bougainvillea and dewy grass – what could be more inviting than a home nestled within a whimsical garden?
In this collection, we have curated a selection of our favorite cottage gardens. Ranging from fairy tale-like gardens to woodland retreats, from historic sites like Anne Hathaway’s cottage to modern compounds tucked in the woods, each garden has its unique allure.
While we may have a preconceived notion of what a cottage garden should be, they are as diverse as the individuals who care for them. One key lesson for creating your own cottage garden is that a small space can be an advantage rather than a limitation.
Below, you will find our top 15 favorite cottage gardens from locations such as Marin County, California, to Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.
– An Amagansett cottage designed for lazy summer afternoons with a charming slate pathway.
– A 1920s English Art and Crafts style cottage in the Hamptons featuring vines and outdoor living spaces.
– A pink cottage kitchen overlooking a vibrant garden in Litchfield County, Connecticut.
– A former fishing shack in Provincetown showcasing a lush garden in a compact space.
– An indoor/outdoor cottage garden blending English and French elements in Suzie de Rohan Willner’s English Country Garden.
Each garden tells a unique story and adds a touch of magic to its surroundings. Whether whimsical or historical, these cottage gardens capture the essence of outdoor living at its finest.
Throughout different stages of my and my husband’s lives, I delight in collecting odds and ends which all come together harmoniously. Kate Middleton’s Adelaide Cottage evokes images of an Arthurian tale. The Wales family has called this Windsor abode home since 2023. Originally constructed in 1831 for Queen Adelaide (the German-born wife of William IV, who was Queen Victoria’s uncle), the cottage underwent a significant restoration in 2015, preserving its historical adornments. Interestingly, the Wales family pays market rent for their occupancy of the property.
Anne Hathaway’s renowned cottage and garden, associated with the poet, actor, and playwright, may have served as inspiration for her husband’s plays (yes, Shakespeare). This picturesque cottage garden might be the first thing that comes to mind. Now accessible to the public daily, the structure was erected over 500 years ago and was the birthplace of Hathaway in 1556.
Believe it or not, this Costco shed transformed into a cottage provides an enchanting backdrop for your ideal cottage garden fantasy. Priced at $6,499, this 12′ x 24′ structure offers ample space for your summer retreat or gardening sanctuary, making it a great DIY project for the year.
A striking glass house serves as a modern take on the classic cottage garden style. The Amagansett cottage, originally built in 1960, showcases a blend of mid-century design and mod furniture choices, complemented by Japanese Maple Trees for a woodsy touch.
Renowned artist David Hockney captured his own cottage garden in a drawing during the pandemic, highlighting the beauty of an English garden with its wild, lush, and green surroundings. In another scene, we see Ina Garten’s cottage-like building on her East Hampton estate, sporting a charming green and purple color scheme, reminiscent of a dreamy childhood playhouse.
Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet at Versailles remains the epitome of a cottage garden, with its thatched roof, hedges, and roses straight out of a fairy tale. During the former French Queen’s time, the hamlet was a mock farm where she and her daughter would pretend to be French peasants, dressed accordingly. The modest interior of this cottage, however, boasts grandeur with silk furnishings and canopy beds.
A stunning garden in Marin County, California showcases the harmonious pairing of succulents and cottages, adding a desert-inspired touch. Complete with a waterway and a dock for paddle boards, this property exudes a modern desert vibe on one side, contrasting the traditional cottage aesthetic. Like all great cottage gardens, this one offers a sense of escape and transformation.
A light wood sauna and cold plunge hidden behind shrubbery on Jenni Kayne’s Hudson Valley farmhouse grounds provide a secluded retreat against a wide open landscape.
We adore the concept of incorporating a spa-like feel into a cottage garden and exploring innovative ways to utilize the space. It’s the perfect summer retreat! Getty Images Bunny Williams is a must-mention in any conversation about gardens. The Oak Spring Garden in Upperville, Virginia, curated by Williams, serves as a perpetual inspiration for garden and cottage lovers worldwide. Williams’s vast estate doesn’t just include one cottage; it boasts a guest cottage and a basket house, both exuding charming appeal.
