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Site designed and built by Paul & Susy Wilson

 

Updated: 21 March 2008

 

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Seven secrets of your unique garden tour

 

• We help you every step of the way to create your perfect garden tour itinerary

 

• We have a tremendous selection of beautiful English Gardens for you to visit- including Stourhead, Forde Abbey, Mottisfont Abbey, Secret & Private Gardens

 

•Your very own expert driver - guided garden tours just for your party of 1 to 6 guests - you don’t share with any other group

 

• Time for you to linger and immerse yourself in the beauty and splendor of English gardens in full bloom - we won’t hurry you along on this garden tour

 

•You are based in the beautiful county of Dorset, one of the best kept secrets in England, surrounded by wonderful scenery yet only 2 hours from London

 

• We personally prepare delicious three course gourmet dinners for you each day from home-grown and locally sourced ingredients

 

• One-Centre touring means not having to pack and unpack every day. On this garden tour you will not be rushed!

“Relax and enjoy the best of England”

Micheal Weishan    Ex host, The Victory Garden

Dear fellow gardener...

For those of you looking for a wonderful way to discover England, you’ve just found it. Paul and Susy provide the best of all worlds: comfortable accommodations in a picturesque setting, good food graciously prepared, and personally tailored garden tours that can be as busy and varied or as laid back and unhurried as you wish. From exploring prehistoric hill forts, to touring spectacular gardenscapes far from the madding crowd, (literally!) from climbing medieval spires to lazing away the twilight hours in their restful garden, Paul and Susy provide it all, with exquisite service and delightful charm. My sister and I spent an idyllic week here nestled amidst the rolling hills of the gorgeous Dorset countryside: we most certainly want to return, as I think, will you. Enjoy!

Michael Weishan

Ex Host, American Public Televisions The Victory Garden Garden Editor, New Old House Magazine Author, The New Traditional Garden; From a Victorian Garden; The Victory Garden Companion

Garden List

Stourhead

 

An outstanding example of the English landscape style, this splendid garden was designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out between 1741 and 1780. Classical temples, including the Pantheon and Temple of Apollo, are set around the central lake at the end of a series of vistas, which change as the visitor moves around the paths and through the magnificent mature woodland with its extensive collection of exotic trees.

 

Forde Abbey

 

Thirty acres of prize-winning gardens with lakes, bog garden, magnificent trees, shrub and herbaceous borders surrounding the Abbey,  founded in 1146, that was once one of the  most significant Cistercian monasteries in England.

 

 

Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Garden

 

Many rare sub-tropical and delicate plants thrive in this wonderfully exotic garden located in its own micro-climate near the coast. Loose yourself in the gigantic Gunnera and bamboo plantations that grow along the side of the stream flowing through the garden. Take a break for lunch or tea on the veranda of the tea house, surrounded by the lush greenery of the palms and bananas. It really is a magical place.

 

Hestercombe Gardens

 

Hestercombe is unique in having three complete period gardens. The Georgian landscape, Victorian terrace and the formal Edwardian gardens combine to create one of Britain's premier garden sites widely recognised as being of international importance.

 

Knightshayes Court

 

The celebrated garden features a water lily pool and topiary, specimen trees, rare shrubs and delightful seasonal colours. Attractive woodland walks lead through the grounds.

 

 

 

Montacute House

 

The formal garden surrounding the magnificent Elizabethan house includes mixed borders, old roses and interesting topiary all within a landscape park. The wider estate encompasses St Michael’s Hill, site of a Norman castle, topped with an accessible 18th-century lookout tower.

 

 

 

Abbey House Gardens

 

Abbey House was once part of the Benedictine Monastery founded in Malmesbury about 666 AD. The site was cultivated by monks for medicinal herbs and also as the Abbots garden. Since the dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539 it has been privately owned and is now a delight to gardening lovers. There are 2000 roses, 2000 herbs, water features including St Aldhelm's Pool, and much more. Make sure you see the Abbey close by. An unforgettable garden in a lovely setting.

 

 

Barrington Court

 

Enchanting formal garden, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll,  laid out in a series of walled ‘rooms’. The garden includes the beautiful White Garden, Iris Garden and Lily Garden. The fascinating working kitchen garden has espaliered apple, pear and plum trees trained along its high stone walls. The 16th-century house was restored in the 1920s by the Lyle family and is now let to Stuart Interiors. It is open to National Trust visitors at the same times as the garden.

 

 

The Courts Garden

 

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. The garden is complemented by an arboretum with natural planting of spring bulbs, a kitchen garden and orchard.

 

 

Mottisfont Abbey

 

Set amidst glorious countryside along the River Test, this 12th-century Augustinian priory was converted into a private house after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The key attraction is the grounds with magnificent trees, walled gardens and National Collection of Old-fashioned Roses, at their most fragrant best in mid June - an essential visit on your garden tour.

 

 

The Peto Garden at Iford Manor

 

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. The Peto Garden at Iford Manor in Wiltshire won the Historic Houses Association/Christie's 1998 Garden of the Year Award given in recognition of a garden, outstanding both for its horticultural and public interest.

 

Lytes Cary House and Garden

 

Once the home of medieval herbalist Henry Lyte, this medieval manor house is surrounded by an enchanting garden. The borders are planted with mixed shrubs, roses and perennials. Hidden paths enclosed by high hedges leading to surprise views and occasional glimpses of the house. At the foot of the garden is an orchard.

 

 

Knoll Garden and Nursery

 

Rare, unusual and exotic collection of plants from all over the world are to be found in this six acre garden. if you want to know how to use grasses in the garden this is the place to visit. The nursery has won many Chelsea Flower Show Gold medals.

 

 

Tintinhull Garden

 

A delightful and intimate garden, created in the 1930s and divided into separate areas by walls and clipped hedges. Domes of box line the path leading from the west front of the 17th-century house (not open to visitors) to the different ‘rooms’, each with its own character. Particularly beautiful are the azalea garden, the fountain garden - with its white-flowering and silver plants around a central pool - and the charming kitchen garden, where the paths are edged in catmint and espaliered fruit trees flank the walls.

 

 

East Lambrook Manor

 

The garden at East Lambrook Manor is recognised throughout the world as the ‘Home of English Cottage Gardening’, having been created in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s by the late gardening icon, Margery Fish.

 

Mapperton

Mapperton Gardens is a romantic Italianate valley garden deep in a lost Dorset combe among tumbling hills and unspoilt countryside. The gardens descend from the great lawn, through the formal topiary down to the valley garden.

 

Cothay Manor

 

This magical, romantic, garden surrounds what is said to be the most perfect example of a small classic medieval manor. Many garden rooms, each a garden in itself, are set off the 200 yd yew walk. In addition there is a bog garden with azaleas and drifts of primuli, fine trees, cottage garden, courtyards and river walk. A plantsmans  paradise and essential part of your garden tour.

 

Compton Acres

Compton Acres is one of the finest privately owned gardens in the South with a unique series of stunning tranquil gardens offering spectacular views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, and the Purbeck Hills beyond.

 

 

 

 

Heale House Garden

 

Heale House (not open to public) is set in 8 acres of beautiful gardens. Clipped hedges, mellow stonework and trout streams surround this wonderfully varied collection of plants in this prize-winning garden.

 

Chiffchaffs Garden and Nursery

 

A delightful cottage garden  for all seasons, developed over many years of hard work by the owners. Some fantastic planting combinations of shrub roses, bulbs and herbaceous borders. Attractive walk to woodland garden with far reaching views. Rhododendrons, azaleas primulas, mecanopsis etc.

 

 

Exbury Gardens

 

A celebrated landscaped woodland garden overlooking the Beaulieu river. World renowned for its collections of azaleas and rhododendrons, over ten thousand specimens, which at their flowering peak in May are truly breathtaking.

 

 

Houghton Lodge

 

A glorious garden with beautiful trees and lawns sweeping down to the River Test and far reaching views across the valley and water meadows beyond. Herbaceous border, topiary, a meandering woodland walk to a Grotto, a fully restored walled garden, a Hydroponic greenhouse, an Orchid House and river walks with the never-ending interest of wildlife around the River Test all go to make this garden a wonderful experience.

 

Toad Hall, Shillingstone

 

A delightful local garden open to the public for charity a few time a year under the National Garden Scheme. It is just a short walk from Church House.

 

 

 

 

If you would like to take the opportunity of visiting gardens in the  Cotswolds or South East England while you are with us please let us know when you make your booking.  There is a small added charge for these tour to cover the overnight stay away from Church House. The tours are also subject to availability of suitable accommodation in each location.

 

Cotswold Garden Tour

 

Day 1

Your  first stop of the day on this garden tour is at The Courts Garden, owned by the National Trust. The garden  is an example of the English style at its best, full of charm and variety. A stop for lunch next in the National Trust village of Lacock where you will find a variety of pubs and quaint tea-rooms to choose from. In the afternoon we travel a little further North to the picturesque town of Malmesbury and the garden at Abbey House. A tremendous garden with a wide variety of planting styles, thousands of roses,  herb garden, river and bog gardens all in a wonderful setting next to the Abbey - it is one of my favourites. To finish the day we take you for a stroll around the town of Cirencester, a Roman town that was in it’s day only second only to London in size. Overnight accommodation is in the Cirencester area.

 

Day 2

The first garden on your second day in the Cotswolds is Hidcote Manor Garden, one of England’s greatest gardens. Arranged in a series of rooms, each with with it’s own character and separated by hedges of many species. Just a short distance form Hidcote your next garden is Kiftsgate Court Gardens, the creation of three generations of women gardeners and the home of the Kiftsgate rose, the largest rose in the United kingdom at almost 60ft high! Perched on the edge of the Cotswolds it also has wonderful views to the West.

Depending on how much time you would like to spend in each garden it may be possible to visit other gardens in the area such as Snowshill, Mill Dene, Bourton House Garden  before it is time to head back to Church House. (This will also depend on individual garden opening days and times.)  

 

 

South East England Garden Tour

 

Day 1

The morning is spent travelling to Wisley, the headquarters of the Royal Horticultural Society. Wisley is one of Britain’s best loved gardens with 97ha (240 acres) offering a fascinating blend of the beautiful with practical and innovative design and cultivation techniques. For many, it is the beauty and tranquility of the garden that captures the imagination, with its richly planted borders, luscious rose gardens and model gardens, but a closer look reveals the real value of Wisley.

After lunch we take you to Nymans Garden (owned by the National Trust). Created by three generations of the Messel family their outstanding plant collection is still found throughout this inspirational garden. Overnight accommodation is in the Haywards Heath area.

 

Day 2

You start the morning with a visit to Wakehurst Place, located in the beautiful High Weald of Sussex. Wakehurst is an outstanding botanic garden and conservation area, managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It has a mild, friendly climate, a high rainfall and moisture-retentive soils, complementing the conditions at Kew and allowing many important groups of plants, unable to be grown successfully at Kew, to flourish here.

In the afternoon we start our return journey to Church House calling at Denmans,  the garden of landscape designer John Brookes.  Although the garden is only four acres in size, its layout is such that the visitor enjoys many small areas within the overall, for it is punctuated with pieces of statuary, a well designed pot or a warm sitting corner. In fact, it is a garden full of ideas to take home, and which can then be interpreted within smaller garden spaces”

More Gardens....

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens (formerly known as the Hillier Arboretum) hold the greatest collection of hardy trees and shrubs in the world. Started by the late Sir Harold Hillier in 1953 and given in trust to Hampshire County Council in 1977, the Gardens now extend to 180 acres. Within this unique collection of more than 42,000 plants (12,500 different types), visitors will find much of interest throughout the year.

 

Hadspen Garden and nursery

The garden is closed until further notice, more information will be posted here as it becomes available.

 

Cranborne manor

A magnificent but little visited series of gardens with designs attributed to John Tradescant.  Each area of the garden has own character and surrounds Viscount Salisbury’s ancient manor house (not open). You won’t find this garden on other garden tours but it is not to be missed. Delightful tea-room and plant sales area for browsing.

 

Edmonsham House and Garden

Edmonsham House Gardens has 6 acres of lawns, shrubs and trees and lovely spring bulbs. The fine walled garden has a herbaceous border and gives the keen gardener the opportunity to see organic gardening in practice.

 

Horn Park Garden

The Horn Park garden is full of unusual trees, shrubs and plants. Rock gardens, water gardens, terraces and herbaceous borders. There is a woodland garden, bluebell walk and wild flower meadow with over 160 species of orchid.

 

Minterne Gardens

 

Wander peacefully through 20 acres at Minterne Gardens, where magnolias and rhododendrons tower over small streams in Spring, and later, eurcryphias, hydrangeas and water lilies provide a new vista at each turn with ducks on the small lakes and cascades.

 

Sherborne Castle Gardens

 

Springtime boasts an incredible array of bulbs, summer months bring to life the seductive atmosphere of the garden. The tranquil lakeside walk takes you through a superb collection of trees and plants. The Ginkgo, spectacular Metasequoia and gigantic Cedars are a must for any arborist.

 

Bishops Palace, Wells

The gardens surrounding the Bishop’s Palace at Wells are a haven of tranquillity and peace. Visitors are free to wander over the lawns past flower-beds, specimen trees and shrubs.

 

Gants Mill

A delightful working mill surrounded by a garden of herbaceous borders, bog garden, ponds, waterfalls and a   riverside walk.

 

Milton Lodge

These charming gardens are set on the slopes of the Mendip Hills. From this beautiful location there are broad panoramas of Wells Cathedral and the Vale of Avalon. In 1962 the gardens were replanned with mixed shrubs, old fashioned roses, numerous climbers, herbaceous plants and ground cover set amid the old established yew hedges.  The gardens also include a splendid 7 acre arboretum.

 

Time trail of Roses

Magnificent collection of about 1000 roses now extensively underplanted with bulbs: snowdrops, crocus, tulips, alliums, iris, lilies, autumn crocus, colchicums & nerines - 1000+ varieties, all planted in date order of their introduction, to show their beauty, diversity & evolution.

Avebury Manor and Garden

A house of monastic origin, the present buildings dating from the early 16th century, with notable Queen Anne alterations and Edwardian renovation by Colonel Jenner. The topiary and flower gardens contain medieval walls, ancient box and numerous ‘rooms’.

 

Stourton House Flower Garden

A fascinating romantic 4 1/2 acre plantsman's garden where grass paths lead through unique Daffodils, Camellias, scented Azaleas and Magnolias. Visitors will walk under Kiwi laden trees, down delphinium and rose-covered walks, or by pitcher plant lily ponds. There are majestically hedged borders which host dragonflies, butterflies, and birds. There is a ferny secret garden and woodland area with camellias, scented azaleas and blue hydrangeas.

 

Wilton House

Twenty one acres of landscaped parkland and grounds include an old English rose garden, a water garden and a fine Palladian bridge of 1737 over the river Nadder. Also one of the countrys finest stately homes.

 

Apple Court

This lovely garden is composed of a distinct structure of rooms defined by two axes and enclosed by dense hedges. Sharply defined lawns, raised borders and vertical accents of fastigate yews give each area a unique character.

 

Furzey Garden

The Gardens comprise eight acres of delightful informal landscape with extensive views over the New Forest towards the Isle of Wight. Beautiful banks of azaleas and rhododendrons, heathers, ferns, water garden, the strange bottle brush tree, flaming Chilean Fire trees and many other features.

 

Spinners Garden and Nursery

On a slope overlooking the Lymington River valley with Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Camellias, Japanese Maples, Hydrangeas, and other rare shrubs interplanted with a wide variety of choice woodland and ground cover plants. Adjoining internationally known nursery.

 

 

Bicton Park

Sixty acres of parkland and gardens include Italianate, American, Oriental, Hermitage and Alpine gardens. Palmhouse and specialist greenhouses.

 

Killerton House and Garden

Killerton House is a beautiful hillside garden for all seasons, early spring flowering bulbs, magnolias, azaleas, herbaceous borders and great autumn colours. Killerton is a plantsman's paradise with rare trees and shrubs from all around the world collected by the Veitch family.

 

Which gardens can you visit?

 

Below we have listed just some of the wonderful gardens that you can see on your garden tours.  These are mostly the famous names but we can also include gardens attached to private homes that are open occasionally for charity on the National Gardens Scheme.  We have everything from traditional English herbaceous borders, roses and ancient topiary to glorious rhododendrons/azaleas and Gertrude Jekyll restorations and the amazing landscape gardens such as Stourhead. When you stay with us you create your own garden tour with all the help you need from us.

 

If you  wish to travel further afield we can organise garden tours in Devon and Cornwall, the Cotswolds and the South East of England. We are passionate about our gardens!  If you would like us to show you wonderful English gardens, please contact us now to make your booking.