Ever wonder what it would feel like to tumble down Alice's rabbit hole and pop out in Wonderland? Well, I imagine taking a stroll through the Garden of Cosmic Speculation in Scotland is as close at you can get.

The private garden, which sprawls over 30 acres at Portrack House near Dumfries, was so named because its features are based on natural and scientific processes. This fusion of terrestrial nature, modern science and design creates some breathtaking results. Such concepts as quantum mechanics, string theory and complexity theory are illustrated through bizarre landscaping and metal sculptures. Structures representing black holes and fractals loom over the grounds.

The mastermind behind this incredible space is renowned landscape architect Charles Jencks, who began work on the garden in 1988 and dedicated it to his late wife, Maggie Keswick. Surely, the pictures hardly do it justice—imagine actually exploring such a magical place! Unfortunately, the garden is only open to the public one day a year. I know, I know. But it is a private garden, after all. And the proceeds from that day's admission go to Maggie's Centres, a cancer care charity named for Jencks' wife.

DNA Spiral:

And more:

If you ever find yourself in southern Scotland on May 2, I highly suggest tumbling into the Garden of Cosmic Speculation.

Some other hand-picked posts you might enjoy on our Design Blog:

Three Dimensional Works by Daniel Arsham
Wind-Powered Creatures Roam the Beaches of Holland
Home Design: Growing Outdoor Living Rooms?

Via Kuriositas & images from Paulus Maximus and Wikimedia