Redwoods in England? No—But You Can Visit Giants at Botanical Gardens

England has no native redwoods. The two species—Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) and Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia)—are endemic to California and Oregon.

However, introduced specimens thrive in parks and estates:

• Wellingtonia (giant sequoia) planted widely in Victorian era. Notable: Benmore Botanic Garden (Scotland), Biddulph Grange (Staffordshire), Kew Gardens.
• Coast redwoods at Wakehurst (Kew’s wild botanic garden), Bedgebury Pinetum.
• Tallest in UK: ~55m (Benmore), still juveniles—wild giants reach 90–115m.

Climate limits: UK lacks the coastal fog (redwoods) or Sierra Nevada snowmelt (sequoias) that drive maximal growth. But they survive, sequester carbon, and inspire.

For true redwood forests, book a flight to California. For a taste of their majesty, visit a British arboretum.