Calling all my fellow “Pride & Prejudice” devotees and lovers of that dreamy English countryside vibe! While I adore cozying up with “Little Women” in the winter, as soon as spring arrives, it’s all about escaping to the rolling hills and charming gardens of “Pride & Prejudice” for me. And guess what? The iconic 2005 film with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is celebrating its 20th anniversary – can you believe it?! (Psst… it’s also on Netflix for a quick rewatch if you didn’t make it to the theater!)
While those period interiors are undeniably beautiful, the outdoor spaces also steal my heart. The landscapes and gardens feel like characters themselves, and the best part? You can bring that same magic to your own backyard!
Inspired by the film and my deep dive into English gardens during Jane Austen’s time (1775-1817), I uncovered some timeless design principles. You know how we always talk about defining “rooms” in your home? Well, the English knew how to do it outdoors too! The landscape and gardens play such a starring role—and they can in your landscaping with these tips!
1. Define”rooms” outside with natural or architectural borders
“Oh, what are men compared to rocks and mountains?” – Mr. Gardiner, “Pride & Prejudice (2005)“
Boundaries are everything when it comes to creating distinct zones in your outdoor space. Think rock-lined fire pits, elegant brick-framed driveways, or lush, structured holly-lined walkways. Remember that charming scene where the Bennet girls rush out of Longbourn to share news of their uncle’s letter? Notice the subtle concrete walls framing their path – those details matter!
Historically, between 1760 and 1830, English gardens embraced walls and hedges to divide land into organized rectangular areas (according to this site!). It’s all about creating a sense of structure within the natural beauty.
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Speaking of hedges, boxwoods are a classic English choice, but we were warned that they can be prone to blight in our area. So, we pivoted to Japanese holly, which offers that same beautiful shape and prune-ability while tolerating both sun and shade. We do still cherish our more established boxwoods near the driveway.
2. Embrace sculptural garden ornaments
“Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” – Elizabeth Bennet, “Pride & Prejudice (1813)“
Just like a well-placed piece of art elevates an indoor space, garden ornaments and statues added a touch of classical elegance to English gardens of this era. Remember those gorgeous limestone finials atop the veranda at Pemberley as Darcy tries to catch up with Elizabeth? They instantly add a “finished” and sophisticated feel. Incorporating stone vases or urns is a fantastic way to bring that historical charm to your own exterior!
Planters (Similar) | Boxwood Topiaries
And who could forget the breathtaking Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire during Darcy’s dramatic first proposal in the rain? The Temple of Apollo, built in the early 1700s, stands proudly on a hilltop and even doubled as Rosings Garden in the film! Life goal to walk the grounds—or maybe every site in the movie!
Faux Plants & Planters
3. Consider a water feature
“[Pemberly House] was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste.” – “Pride & Prejudice (1813)“
Chatsworth in the Derbyshire Dales (isn’t that such an incredible township name) represents Pemberly in the movie. It has a 105-acre garden, farmyard, and acres of natural parkland. It was said that Jane Austen visited this estate in her time and was inspired by the magnitude of the property, making it the perfect place for Mr. Darcy. The canal pond directly in front of the house is one of the most gasp-inducing sights: it creates a stunning reflection of the house is must have influenced Elizabeth’s first “look” when she realizes that she could have been the mistress of such an estate.
Another of its most incredible features is the Cascade: an impressive feat of engineering that utilized gravity to flow water over a series of stone steps. But it doesn’t have to be at that scale! Whether it’s a tranquil fish pond, a gently flowing stream, a sophisticated wall fountain, or even just a simple birdbath, the presence and sound of water bring an instant sense of calm and relaxation to any garden.
Even our little fountains by the pool add that perfect touch of something special. And remember that moody, modern traditional sunroom I was dreaming up? This stunning lion fountain totally caught my eye!
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4. Let in a little wildness
“Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness at the side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it.” – Lady Catherine de Bourgh, “Pride & Prejudice (1813)“
You know how much I love the character that climbing vines bring to a home (remember our post about them?). Just look at the Bennet home, filmed at Groombridge Place! In the movie, you can spot climbing roses and ivy gracefully winding around the brick during that intense discussion between the eldest Bennet girls about Lydia and Wickham.
Our own experience with climbing vines has been so rewarding – they add so much organic beauty and texture. The intricate patterns of ivy against the brick are just so charming. I’ve even added some wisteria to a trellis in our backyard, and I can’t wait to see it flourish! It’s all about that balance of textures and colors against the solid backdrop of the house.
Planter (similar) | Doormat | Trellis (similar)
Just like you layer things in a home—like lighting, textiles, heights, English cottage gardens put variation on display. It’s all about diverse plantings—with evergreens like boxwoods, delicate annuals, lush grasses, and flowering shrubs.
The shift towards this more natural aesthetic in English gardens during the Late Georgian period was a deliberate move away from the strict formality of earlier eras. This new “picturesque” style celebrated a more painterly and romantic vision of the landscape and its surrounding structures.
In our own backyard plans, we have some repeating elements like the azaleas behind the pool, but we also intentionally created a more organic-looking cluster of plantings behind them. We embraced the native pine trees and layered in different heights with tea olives, Japanese maples, and camellias for that wild hedge feel. We also tried to mix plantings in our Modern Cottage home.
5. Try a garden for produce and pleasure
“My wife encourages me to spend as much time in the garden as possible for the sake of my health.” – Mr. Collins, “Pride & Prejudice (2015)“
Jane Austen’s novels are peppered with delightful references to fresh produce—strawberries, grapes, gooseberries, apples, and cucumbers—that would have been grown on the estate, either outdoors or in a greenhouse. Even if you only have a small space or a few pots, there’s so much joy in growing your own food!
We’ve had a blast with a salsa garden in the past, planting tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and jalapeños. Life’s a little too busy for that right now, but who knows what the future holds? I’d absolutely love to arrange some classic terracotta pots (a design staple since 500 BC!) and imagine Peter Rabbit sneaking through Mr. McGregor’s garden. Plus, terracotta just gets better with age!
Speaking of celebrating the past, this year marks Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, and of course, we had to create a garden-inspired mocktail in her honor featuring essences of lavender and rose! I hope you enjoy this fresh and floral drink all spring and summer long.
