The gardens house a 16th-century Italian marble fountain that was once part of the estate of Mrs. Patterson of Chicago.
The site contains a Sunken Garden designed to reflect the style of Elizabethan-era English gardening, featuring a sunken level protected from coastal winds.
It is the only public garden in the United States dedicated to the memory of the first English settlers in America.
The garden collection includes a 'Queen's Rose Garden' which houses varieties that were known to exist during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
A bronze statue of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World, is located on the grounds.
The garden is integrated into the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, maintaining a connection to the archaeological history of the 1587 colony.
The site utilizes a 'living collection' policy, prioritizing plants that were common in 16th-century English gardens, such as English ivy and boxwoods.
The gatehouse entrance is modeled after the architecture of 16th-century English manor homes.
The garden hosts an annual butterfly release and educational programs centered on local coastal pollinator health.
Ancient live oaks, estimated to be over 400 years old, frame many of the garden paths.
The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, North Carolina, is a 10-acre public garden designed to commemorate the first English colonists who arrived in the New World in the 16th century. It is located on the historic site of Fort Raleigh, where the Sir Walter Raleigh expeditions landed between 1584 and 1587. The garden features a formal Renaissance-style design, incorporating period-appropriate plants, gravel paths, and structural stonework. Notable elements include the Great Lawn, a sunken garden, and a collection of antique statues, most notably a marble fountain featuring Virginia Dare. The site houses a wide variety of native plants, camellias, hydrangeas, and rare tree species that thrive in the coastal maritime climate of the Outer Banks. It serves as a living museum, blending historical interpretation with horticultural preservation. The grounds are maintained by the Garden Club of North Carolina and host seasonal blooming events throughout the year. The gardens are adjacent to the Roanoke Island Festival Park and the historic site of the Lost Colony theater production.
The central fountain area at the bottom of the sunken garden provides the most symmetric and iconic background.
Visit during the spring or fall to experience the peak blooming periods of the azaleas and camellias.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the paths consist of loose gravel and uneven surfaces.
Bring mosquito repellent, as the humid, lush environment of the Outer Banks is prime territory for insects.
Do not attempt to walk through the garden beds or touch the antique statuary, as they are fragile historical artifacts.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day; occasionally closes for private events or inclement weather.
Stay on marked paths to protect the historic soil and sensitive plantings; quiet behavior is expected.
