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Short Breaks for Garden Lovers

Wiltshire has a wide range of stately homes and gardens and it would be impossible to visit them all in one short stay. Here are two car tours which you can take as part of a two or three night break, one covering the north of Wiltshire and the other the south of the county. For the enthusiast, these could be combined to make a longer tour.

North Wiltshire

For this two day break you could stay in Chippenham or the surrounding villages in order to be able to access all the gardens easily.

For information on accommodation in those areas, visit our 'Where to Stay' pages to view our full range of accommodation.

Morning

Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury - approximately 11 miles from the centre of Chippenham.

This is an outstanding 5 acre garden situated in the centre of Malmesbury, in a wonderfully unique historical environment and setting. Here you will find the UK 's largest private collection of roses and a hugely varied planting.

Telephone: 01666 822212
Website: www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk

While you are in Malmesbury, why not take a look at Malmesbury Abbey, founded by St Aldhelm in Saxon times and the burial place of King Athelstan (895-940).

Lunch is available in Malmesbury or at the afternoon location.

Afternoon

Bowood House and Gardens, Calne - approximately 4 miles from the centre of Chippenham.

Bowood is the family home of the Marquis of Lansdowne. It has one of 'Capability' Brown's finest parks, laid out over 2,000 acres in the 1760s. There are also separate Rhododendron Walks which are open to the public during May and June and include entry to the Mausoleum, completed by Robert Adam in the 18 th century.

Telephone: 01249 812102
Website: www.bowood.org

Morning

The Courts, Holt - approximately 13 miles from the centre of Chippenham.

This National Trust garden is an example of the English style at its best and 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.

Telephone: 01225 782875
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Lunch can be taken here or in nearby Bradford on Avon

Afternoon

The Peto Garden , Iford Manor - approximately 2 miles from The Courts, Holt.

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.

During the summer months, a varied programme of concerts takes place in the gardens.

Telephone: 01225 868124
Website: www.ifordmanor.co.uk

South Wiltshire

For this two day break you could stay in one of the rural villages in the area of the county to the west of Salisbury and to the south of Warminster in order to be able to access all the gardens easily.

For information on accommodation in those areas, visit our 'Where to Stay' pages to view our full range of accommodation.

Morning

Wilton House, Wilton - approximately 4 miles to the west of Salisbury.

Wilton House is the 450 year old home of the Earl of Pembroke, set in extensive gardens bordered by the River Nadder. Over the centuries, the gardens have seen changes which have reflected the fashion of the ties, many of which, such as the Picturesque Movement and 'Capability Brown' in the 1790s, still shape the gardens to this day. The 17th Earl continued the tradition of improvements to the grounds making four new gardens between 1970 and his death in 2003.

There is also a wonderful adventure playground which will entertain the younger visitors for hours.

Telephone: 01722 746720
Website: www.wiltonhouse.co.uk

Lunch is available here in the Old Riding School Tea Room.

Afternoon

Larmer Tree Gardens - approximately 18 miles to the south west of Salisbury.

The Larmer Tree Gardens are situated in the extreme south of Wiltshire, close to Tollard Royal. Discover the secret gardens of Wiltshire which were skilfully created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880, then restored over the last 10 years. You will find an open air theatre, Roman temple, Nepalese carved buildings and water features within the gardens.

The gardens are inhabited by ornamental pheasants and peacocks and there is a programme of regular concerts, fairs and musical entertainments during the high season. The Stable block and courtyard provide plant sales and a gift shop and there are croquet, play and picnic areas.

Telephone: 01725 516228
Website: www.larmertreegardens.co.uk

Morning

Stourhead - approximately 15 miles from the centre of Warminster.

Situated in the extreme south west corner of Wiltshire, Stourhead is perhaps the most well known of all the county's gardens. 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.

Built in the 1720s the mansion was home to the Hoare family, owners of Britain s only independent private bank surviving to the present. The magnificent interior includes an outstanding Regency library, an extensive picture collection and furniture by Chippendale the Younger.

Telephone: 01747 841152
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Lunch can be taken here in the licensed restaurant or at the Spread Eagle Inn.

Afternoon

Stourton House Flower Garden

You might want to spend all day at Stourhead, but if you would like a change of venue, Stourton House Flower Garden is just next door and you can even leave your car in the Stourhead car park and walk. The Garden contains four and a half acres of varied and colourful shrubs, camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias, hedged borders, delphinium avenue, rose walk, ponds, woodland glades and a secret garden. There are also superb collections of daffodils and hydrangeas in season.

Plants and 'Stourton Dried Flowers' from the garden are offered for sale and there is plenty of level walking so the Garden is very suitable for the elderly.

Telephone: 01747 840417.

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