Enclosed Gardens will be closed from 4.00pm Tuesday 24 December. Last entry 3.30pm.

Enclosed Gardens and Gallagher Visitor Centre will be closed on Wednesday 25 December. Reopening at 10am Thursday 26 December.
Outer areas including Rogers' Rose Garden, Turtle Lake, Rhododendron Lawn and the Children's Playground remain open.

Enter a hidden oasis from the noisy, dusty streets of a bustling Indian city in the age of the Mughal Empire with the Char Bagh Garden.

Char Bagh gardens are inspired by the four gardens of paradise described in Islam’s holy book, the Quran. These are gardens of the desert, where precious water brings forth carpets of flowers and trickles down channels to cool the air. Our Char Bagh is based on a riverside garden from the north of India during the Mughal Empire. This is a garden to linger in, as if you’ve found refuge from the heat and bustle of a dusty north Indian city in the 17th century.

Paradise

Paradise

Ticket Required

Best viewed: all seasons

Easily accessible

Colourful blooms

Popular with kids

Highlights Tour available

Audio Guide available

Looking through the arches of the pavilion at the Indian Char Bagh Garden at Hamilton Gardens A view of the decorated ceiling inside the pavilion at the Indian Char Bagh Garden An elevated view of the vibrant Indian Char Bagh Garden at Hamilton Gardens

What you'll find in the Indian Char Bagh Garden

Visit the Char Bagh Garden to experience true relaxation.

  • A Persian style carpet of many coloured flowers.
  • Sacred symmetry and complex symbolism with ancient roots in Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
  • Bubbling or trickling water designed to preserve this precious resource.

Background of the Indian Char Bagh Garden

All is calm here amid burbling water, carpets of flowers, and the sacred symmetry of its design.

Experience a garden that's not just beautiful, but also a symbol of the entire universe. That's the magic of the Char Bagh (four gardens), also known as the "Universal Garden." This incredible style spread across the Muslim world over centuries, leaving its mark on major religions like Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

Think back to the powerful Mughal emperors, descendants of Genghis Khan. As they expanded their empire eastward, they brought not just their faith, but also the stunning Persian garden design to India. Imagine vibrant gardens built for royalty, filled with refreshing water features to combat the hot, dry climate.

But these gardens weren't just for show. They were secret havens, bursting with the sweet scent of flowers and the calming sounds of trickling water. Picture yourself relaxing in a cool pavilion, watching fluffy clouds drift past white towers, and listening to the gentle splash of fountains. Feeling peaceful already, right?

The best part? You don't have to travel all the way to Asia to experience this magic. And if you ever find yourself near Agra, India, check out Lal Mahal, the hunting palace that served as inspiration for Hamilton's Char Bagh – a true connection across history.

Ready to step into a haven of relaxation? Start your Char Bagh adventure today.

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