Gardens and Gratitude - A Visit to V&A Dundee

There’s something about the V&A Dundee that always leaves me feeling a little lighter. It’s one of those places I go when I need to recharge or just slow the pace a bit. I’d been waiting in anticipation to see their new exhibition, Garden Futures: Designing with Nature. 

Garden Futures: Designing with Nature exhibition poster, V&A Dundee

The exhibition digs deep into the world of garden design – not just the big, showy landscapes, but the everyday green spaces that quietly shape our lives. It explores how gardens reflect who we are, what we value, and how we imagine the future. It’s part history, part hope, and very thought-provoking.

Outdoor space at V&A Dundee

Wandering through made me pause and think about the green spaces in my own life. The ones that help me breathe a little deeper. That remind me it’s okay to slow down. When life gets noisy or stress creeps in, it’s easy to miss the small, beautiful details – and being able to notice them again feels like a superpower.

Fun-usual gardens activity (V&A Dundee)

One part that really stuck with me was seeing the hand-drawn garden plans by Piet Oudolf. He’s a Dutch designer known for creating wild, naturalistic gardens that change beautifully with the seasons. His work feels alive. You get a sense of how deeply he thinks about the experience of being in a space – not just for humans, but for insects (a bugs life!),  birds, everything that shares it.

The Perfect Place to breathe …

V&A Dundee, waterfront

If you’re someone who finds comfort in green spaces, or you’re just curious about how design and nature meet, this one’s worth a visit. Go slow, take it in – and maybe you’ll leave feeling just that little bit more rooted too.

The Garden Futures: Designing with Nature exhibition is open until 25th January 2026. You can find out more via the V&A Dundee website here.