Last week, we launched our competition to find the best food gardens in Britain and the entries are already flooding in. Here are the pick of the bunch so far.
New garden designers are in the ascendant now that show season is here. Here are five names to look out for at the front of the pack. By Rae Spencer-Jones.
Garden lovers will be sure to find
something to delight them in the famous gardens of the Cotswolds. You can stroll around
a garden attached to an old manor house and soak up the atmosphere or admire the formality
and manicured gardens elsewhere.
The National Trust owns the world-renowned Hidcote
Manor gardens, while the nearby Kiftsgate Court garden is famous
world-wide for the Kiftsgate climbing rose. Rodmarton Manor and
Barnsley House gardens are both fine examples of traditional
English country gardens while Westbury Court garden is the earliest
formal Dutch water garden remaining in the country. There are
many to explore.
Garden Type - Mature Soil Soil Type - LightAlkaline
Garden Type - Arboretum Soil Type - Cotswold Sand and clay
Garden Type - Formal / herbaceous Soil Type - Alkaline / Lime
Family garden created since 1952 by the well known writer and gardener Rosemary Verey and is now run by her son Charles. A wonderful mixture of planting and features. Located in the village of Barnsley, near Bibury.
55 acres of Parkland overlooking the Evenlode Valley containing over 1500 species of trees. In spring displays of flowering bulbs, wild flowers, and magnolias. Located on the outskirts of the village of Batsford near Moreton-in-Marsh
Surrounding a delightful 18th century Cotswold Manor House (not open) and 16th century tithe barn, this exciting 3 acre garden brims with ideas. Located in the village of Bourton-on-the-Hill near Moreton-in-Marsh.
Available to walk round if you dine or have afternoon tea.
six weeks during May and June, Bowood’s rhododendrons
are in flower and a separate woodland garden is open. Near Chippenham.
Garden Type - Romantic Soil Type - Alkaline - Neutral
Garden Type - Romantic Soil Type -
For Running for 200 miles from Lyme Regis on the South Coast to the Wash is an uninterrupted seam of Upper Greensand and Gault. The Rhododendron Walks are on the Western edge of this sedimentary formation. It is this soil type, coupled with the protection from the elements by mature oak and scotch pine, together with ample moisture, which provides the ideal growing conditions for rhododendrons and azaleas.
Secret Cotswold garden with typical Victorian features. Working kitchen garden in walled area with large herbaceous borders, plant collection, and parkland setting. Located in the village of North Cerney, not far from Cirencester.
The Courts Gardens is an example of the English style at its best.The garden is full of charm and variety, There are many interesting plants and an imaginative use of colour, with surrounding topiary, ornaments and water features. An arboretum with natural planting of spring bulbs, a kitchen garden and orchard complements the garden. The garden is only 2.8 hectares or 7 acres and the way the garden seems much larger is due to the small arboretum that contains several large specimens, including the Cut-leafed Beech.
Opening Dates: Saturday 31st March to Wednesday 31st October
2007 inclusive. Rhododendron Walks 11am - 6pm (open daily from late April to early
June - please telephone or check this Web Site for exact dates) www.bowood-house.co.uk/
rhododendrons.html
Garden Type - Early 20th Century Soil Type -Neutral
Garden Type - Woodland Soil Type - Magnesium enhanced limestone
This garden is internationally renowned and is a series of smaller gardens each with its own theme. One of the most inventive and influential gardens of the 20th century. Located near the village of Hidcote Bartrim not far from Chipping Campden.
Perched on the edge of the Cotswolds with wonderful views to the west, the gardens of Kiftsgate reflect gardening through the 20th century. The original gardens around the house are planted in colour themes separated by yew hedges. Located opposite to Hidcote Manor Gardens.
The home of Viscount Bledisloe and is set in beautiful countryside. The spring gardens are in an enchanting secluded wooded valley with lakes and Rhododendrons, Roman temple site museum and New Zealand Museum. Located at Lydney in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Royal Forrest of Dean and the River Seven estuary.
5 acres of magnificent garden located
adjacent to Malmebury Abbey. There is a huge variety of planting
through double herbaceous borders, foloiage garden, wooded
and laburnum walks. Along the sloping pathways collections
of hellebore, hydrangea, camellia, rhodoendon and azalea. There
is a collection of 2000 roses and 2000 herbal plants. See Malmesbury Abbey details.
Set in 2.5 acres of Cotswold countryside this
water-mill garden has been designed and planted in English
country style. Steep terraces rise from the mill-pool, stream,
and grotto. Paths wander through the rose walk and there is
a potager and fantasy fruit garden. Located in the village
of Blockley,
near Chipping Campden.
Situated in a hidden 6 acre Cotswold valley,
the Rococo garden is the only compete survivor from the brief
early 18th century period of English Rococo Garden design.
It combines formality and informality in a magical experience
at any time of the year. Located on the outskirts of the market
town of Painswick.
This Grade I Italian-style garden is famous for its tranquil beauty and was the home of architect and landscape gardener, Harold A. Peto from 1899 to 1933. This unique and romantic hillside garden is characterised by steps, terraces, sculpture and magnificent rural views.
A visit to the Peto Garden at Iford includes delightful features such as the Loggia, the Great Terrace, the Casita and the largest of Peto’s garden buildings, the Cloisters. This building is the location for most of the recitals and operas that take place throughout the summer as part of the Iford Arts programme.
Prior Park Landscape Garden: was influential in defining the style of garden known as the "English garden" in continental Europe. Prior Park was created by local entrepreneur and philanthropist Ralph Allen from about 1734 until his death in 1764, with advice from both Pope and Brown. In around 1742, Allen commissioned architect John Wood to build a mansion within the park, which is now owned by Prior Park College. William Warburton, Allen's son-in-law, lived there for some time. The 28 acre (113,000 m²) landscape garden is set in a dramatic site running down a small steep valley, with fine views of the city of Bath. Its many interesting features include a Palladian bridge, Gothic temple, gravel cabinet, Mrs Allen's Grotto, and three lakes plus a serpentine lake. In November 2006, a large-scale restoration project began on the cascade, serpentine lake and Gothic temple. Work is expected to be completed in spring 2007.
The Gardens consist of a number of different rooms each with its own character.
Rodmarton Manor House was completed in 1920, the last manor-house to be built in England.
Located near Cirencester.
Open May to September, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2pm -5pm.
Open: on Sundays During April & October The Peto Garden at Iford Manor Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 863146
Fax: +44 (0) 1225 862364
Email: info@ifordmanor.co.uk www.ifordmanor.co.uk
Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive Bath BA2 5AH
tel: 01225-833422 fax: 01225 833422
Opening Days and Hours 3rd Feb - 25th Feb; Sat & Sun; 11am - 5p.30m 2nd Mar - 28th Oct; Every day except Tues; 11am - 5.30pm, or dusk if earlier Closed 25th/26th Dec & 1st Jan. Last admissions 1 hour before closing.
Garden Type - Organic Cottage Garden Soil Type - Neutral Loam
Rousham House and its landscape garden should be a place of pilgrimage for students of the work of William Kent (1685-1748). Rousham represents the first phase of English landscape design and remains almost as Kent left it, one of the few gardens of this date to have escaped alteration, with many features which delighted eighteenth century visitors to Rousham still in situ, such as the ponds and cascades in Venus' Vale, the Cold Bath, and seven arched Praeneste, Townsend's Building, the Temple of the Mill, and, on the skyline, a sham ruin known as the 'Eyecatcher'.
This garden at Sezincote surrounds a fine house built to encompass Indian character in 1810.
The Indian influence is seen in the garden and the drive goes over an Indian Bridge with statues of bulls. Water features include a temple pool, Canal, stream bordered with bog loving plants. Fine trees include copper beeches, cedars, limes and yews with many unusual shrubs. In Autumn the tints are marvellous. Located on A44 1.5 miles from Moreton-in-Marsh towards Broadway.
Tel. 01386 700444, GL56 9AW
Snowshill Manor is full to the brim of Charles
Wade's collection from all over the world.
The charming cottage style garden is set in 2.5 acres and is organically
run. The garden has stunning views. Located at the village of Snowshill,
5 minutes by car from Broadway.
Garden Type -Landscape Soil Type - Medium Loam / Clay
Garden Type - Historic House Soil Type - Stoney Alkaline
30 acres of lake, landscaping, and walled garden loved by laymen and plantsmen alike. Spetchley Park and Gardens are owned by the Berkeley family - the owners of Berkeley Castle. The House is not open to the public. In spring the banks of the lake are covered in daffodils and makes a wonderful sight. Located 3 miles east of Worcester on the A44 towards Evesham.
Tel. 01453 810 303
Fodor's Great Britain Guide describes Stanway House 'as perfect and pretty
a Cotswold manor house as anyone is likely to see'. The house and gardens are a jewel
surrounded by beautiful landscaped parkland and villages. There are two wonderful water
features. Located near the village of Stanton.
Sudeley Castle is set against the backdrop of the Cotswold hills and is steeped in history. Surrounding the castle are ten enchanting gardens and a wild flower walk to the tithe barn and heritage seed library with it's rare vegetables. Located at Winchcombe.
Garden Type - Formal Water Garden Soil
Type - Clay / Silt Loam PH7
One of the most attractive features of the Manor is its
grounds. To the east is the knot-garden, in the centre of which has been placed a sundial
dating from 1579. Around this, lavender flourishes and many thousands of bags of Sulgrave
lavender have crossed the Atlantic since the house was opened. On the terrace beneath
this wall fly the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes.
Sulgrave Manor is also home to The
Herb Society who maintain the National Herb Garden and their Chelsea prize winning
exhibit within the grounds.
Trull House is set in a lovely rural location in the rolling countryside near Tetbury. The house is surrounded by 8 acres of gardens in a wide variety of styles, augmented by beautiful trees and mature shrubs. Some of the chief features include a large lily pond, a set of terraced gardens, and a sunken garden leading to a summerhouse. In addition, there is a wilderness area which boasts masses of bulbs in spring, while later in summer the area is given over to a wide variety of natural grasses and wild flowers. To the rear of the house is a secluded walled garden, set with a series of herbaceous borders. Overall, the garden has an intimate air, and offers superb views of the surrounding Cotswold countryside.
A fully restored Dutch style formal water garden
dating originally from 1700. The garden includes topiary, yew
hedges, a 400 year old evergreen oak and a relaxing tranquil
atmosphere. Located at Westbury-on-Severn approx. 9 miles from Gloucester.
Weekend : April 1st to October 29th, noon to 4:00 p.m.
last entry. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday : May 1st to October 31st 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
last entry.Located near Banbury.
www.sulgravemanor.org.uk/
themanor/gardens.htm
Trull House, Near Tetbury Gloucestershire GL8 8SQ
Tel no: 01285 841255
Spring flowers, shrubs, fine topiary (some designed by Edwin Lutyens) and, within the walled garden, herbaceous borders; roses, fine specimen trees and a newly planted parterre.
Garden Type - Park Soil Type - Mixed
Contains one of the finest collection of trees and shrubs in Europe. There are 18000 of them spread throughout 600 acres of glorious Cotswold countryside. Also displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, and the wild flowers of silk wood. Located at the village of Westonbirt, not far from Tetbury.
Set in the beautiful Cotswolds, Miserden Estate has a proud history stretching back many hundreds of years. The 17th centry Manor House stands high overlooking the Golden Valley and is at the heart of a thriving Estate and Village Community. Located close to Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud, the Estate is well placed to provide a tranquil haven within minutes of local centres.
Croome was 'Capability' Brown's first complete landscape, making his reputation and establishing a new style of garden design which became universally adopted over the next 50 years. The elegant park buildings and other structures are mostly by Robert Adam and James Wyatt. There are miles of walks through lakeside gardens, shrubberies and parkland.
