The gardens consist largely of a series of airing courts for the patients recreation. Ten of these surround the outer perimeter of the pavilion wards, which open directly onto them. They are largely laid to lawn and planted with scattered mature trees.
The structure of the landscaping was laid out towards the end of the construction of the main buildings, from 1910 onwards, and an asylum farm was constructed. The external airing courts were surrounded by iron railings sunk in ditches in the fashion of ha-has, and the whole estate was surrounded by 2m high oak palings. Much off the detailed landscaping, particularly the planting, was carried out from 1913 by patients as part of the therapeutic regime. This work was disrupted by World War One. However, the airing courts were laid out and planted during the winter of 1914-15.