| Sir Harold Hillier Gardens | |
|---|---|
 An autumn view from the visitor centre | |
  Location in Hampshire | |
| Type | Arboretum |
| Nearest city | Southampton |
| Coordinates | 51°00′40″N 1°28′00″W / 51.0111°N 1.4666°W |
| Area | 180 acres (73 ha) |
| Created | 1953 |
| Operated by | Hampshire County Council |
| Open | Yes |
| Designation | Grade II |
The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is an arboretum comprising 72 hectares (180 acres) accommodating over 42,000 trees and shrubs in about 12,000 taxa, notably a collection of oaks, camellia, magnolia and rhododendron.[1]
The Gardens are located 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the town of Romsey in Hampshire, England, and were formerly known simply as the Hillier Arboretum, founded by nurseryman Harold Hillier in June 1953 when he acquired Jermyn's House and its grounds.
The arboretum was given to Hampshire County Council in 1977 to be managed as a charitable trust. Sir Harold Hillier was knighted in 1983, just two years before his death at age 80 in 1985.[1]
The Gardens were listed as Grade II on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in 1997.[2]
- ^ a b www.hilliergardens.org.uk
- ^ Historic England. "Sir Harold Hillier gardens and arboretum (1001367)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 December 2019.