12 glorious Cotswold gardens

The weather has been perfect (so far) for Cotswold gardens to flourish… lots of rain, followed by a long spell of sunshine, now some rain (as we compile this blog post), with the forecast for more sunshine. The gardens will be truly glorious and we hope all the hardworking gardeners are rewarded with the chance to show off their work.
From magnificent Sudeley Castle Gardens to the lesser known Sezincote, a 200-year-old Mogul palace garden in the heart of Gloucestershire, please step aboard our Cotswold garden tour.
1. Bourton House Garden
Bourton-on-the-Hill

Beautiful in any season, Bourton House Garden offers a magnificent late summer flourish, stretching all the way until the beginning of October. Visitors are also invited to enjoy the walk in the neighbouring seven-acre field, where specimen trees were planted in 1994 / 1995.
2. Hidcote Manor Garden
Near Chipping Campden

An Arts and Crafts-inspired garden, Hidcote offers a maze of pathways, hidden sculptures, magnificent vistas and secret gardens. Every twist and turn will delight you. It’s the perfect place if you’re in need of gardening inspiration.
3. Kiftsgate Court Garden
Near Chipping Campden

There’s so much to see at Kiftsgate, but we encourage visitors to the area to find the original Kiftsgate rose which grows in the borders. It is a beautiful sight in early July with sprays of white flowers cascading to the ground.
4. Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Winchcombe

Sudeley Castle is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds. Visitors can explore the beautifully restored 15th century St Mary’s Church where Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives, now lies entombed. Alternatively, there are 10 magnificent, award-winning gardens to view.
5. Batsford Arboretum
Near Bourton-the-Hill

The collections at Batsford cover a wide range of plants from around the world but have an emphasis on the Far East. It has held the National Collection of Japanese Flowering Cherries since 2002 and also takes part in the International Conifer Conservation Project run by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
6. Snowshill Manor & Garden
Near Broadway

The garden at Snowshill is certainly an extension of the house with mystery at its heart. It was designed by prominent Arts and Crafts architect, Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott. In 1920, Baillie Scott produced the initial design for the garden for his fellow architect Charles Wade who had recently purchased Snowshill Manor.
7. Sezincote Gardens
Near Bourton-on-the-Hill

“India in the Cotwolds” it’s called, with streams and pools lined with great clumps of bog-loving plants and an Indian bridge adorned with Brahmin bulls. Ornaments include a temple to Surya the sun god, and a snake coiled around a column in the Snake Pond.
8. Painswick Rococo Garden
Painswick

The UK’s only complete surviving rococo garden with a hidden valley, woodland walks, magical follies and an incredible play area (complete with a maze!) for the children.
9. Abbey House Garden
Malmesbury

With 1300 years of history, the first King of England buried somewhere in the garden, and two saints thrown down the well, there is nothing short of incredible at Abbey House Garden, with many stories for you to unearth.
10. The Garden at Miserden
Near Stroud

Set within an AONB, the estate comprises of 850 acres of woodland, farmland and gardens, providing a sanctuary for wildlife and a tranquil escape to allow you to spend time with your family and friends.
11. Kelmscott Manor
Near Lechlade on Thames

The beautiful gardens, with barns, a dovecote, a meadow and a stream, provided a constant source of inspiration to William Morris, who used Kelmscott Manor as his summer home.
12. Westbury Court Garden
Westbury-on-Severn

Explore canals, admire clipped hedges and see 17th century vegetable plots growing through the seasons – no matter what type of gardener you are, there is sure to be something to inspire you at Westbury Court Garden.