United Kingdom - Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland

"Mount Stewart is one of the most spectacular and idiosyncratic gardens of Western Europe and universally renowned for the'extraordinary scope of its plant collections and the originality of its features, which give it world-class status'. It was created within an old demesne on the shores of Strangtord Lough, whose fine parkland trees and shelter belts were established for the 1782-83 house. A celebrated garden building, the Temple of the Winds, was added to the parkland in 1782-83 and the house was enlarged to designs of Dance in 1804, and by Morrison in the 1830S. The main focus of the nominated area, the gardens, occupies about 80 acres to the north and west of the house. They were begun in 1921 by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and work was greatly aided by the ample labour force available after World War I. Much advice was forthcoming from such eminent plantmen as Sir John Ross and Gertrude Jekyll. The staggering range of plants she used came from nurseries throughout the British Empire and an olive was brought from the Garden of Gethsemene. Taking advantage of Mount Stewart's equable climate, Lady Londonderry sought to acquire as many rare and tender plants as possible, especially southern hemisphere species, to create a garden of extraordinary diverse design, held together by a web of family and historical imagery. The gardens comprise both formal and informal areas, each with its own style and atmosphere..." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Aerial view of Mount Stewart, Co. Down. Thanks to Dave of Northern Ireland, UK. This site was in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage nomination but no longer so.