The Elizabethan Gardens

Description

Located within Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on picturesque Roanoke Island of the Outer Banks, the Elizabethan Gardens bloom year round as a living memorial to North America's first English colonists. The 10.5 acres of gardens have been an ongoing project of the Garden Club of North Carolina since 1951. Designed by the acclaimed landscape architectural firm of Innocenti and Webel, highlights of the Elizabethan Gardens include:

• A 16th century-style thatched-roof gazebo, overlooking Roanoke Sound


• A marble statue of Virginia Dare carved in Italy by Maria Louisa Lander - created by the artist to portray how she imagined that Virginia Dare would have looked as an adult


• Ancient live oak, thought to be more than 400 years old


• The Sunken Garden with an antique Italian fountain as its central focal point


• The Shakespearean Herb Garden


• The Queen’s Rose Garden featuring The Queen Elizabeth Rose, which was given to The Elizabethan Gardens by Queen Elizabeth II


• From June - August, the highly acclaimed one-woman show Elizabeth R is performed at The Elizabethan Gardens

Hours of Operation

• January and February: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. seven days a week - Closed New Years Day


• March: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. seven days a week


• April and May: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. seven days a week


• June, July and August: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. from Monday - Saturday and 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday


• September and October: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. seven days a week


• November: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. seven days a week - Closed Thanksgiving Day


• December: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. seven days a week - Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

The Gift and Plant Shop

The Gift and Plant Shop offers a variety of gift items, including books and keepsakes, as well as, a selection of plants. All of the plants have been propagated and grown in The Elizabethan Gardens nursery and include native shrubs, perennials, hydrangeas, herbs, roses, camellias and ferns.

All proceeds from gift and plant sales directly benefit the maintenance and preservation efforts of The Elizabethan Gardens.

Location

The Elizabethan Gardens are located at 1411 National Park Drive, off of Highway 64/264 near the Lost Colony's Waterside Theatre within Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

Virginia Dare Birthday Celebration

Annually on August 18 - Of the many special events scheduled at the Elizabethan Gardens throughout the year, one of the most eagerly awaited is an annual celebration every August 18th on the anniversary of Virginia Dare's birthday. Working with the Roanoke Island Historical Association, Elizabeth R & Company and the National Park Service, the celebration at the Elizabethan Gardens includes performances, special tours, a plant sale and plenty of family fun. Admission on August 18th is free.

Weddings at the Elizabethan Gardens

The storybook setting of the Elizabethan Gardens provides a popular venue for Outer Banks destination weddings. During the spring, summer and fall months, it is not unusual for anywhere from two to six weddings per weekend to take place. More About Weddings at the Elizabethan Gardens

Additional Information

For additional information about the Elizabethan Gardens including the cost of admission, special events and more, visit the Elizabethan Gardens Web Site.