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Historic Houses & Gardens in Wiltshire
Wiltshire is home to a world-class collection of gardens. Wiltshire's sweeping landscapes are studded with horticultural gems.
Stourhead's harmonic vistas - especially the classic view of the Turf Bridge, lake and Pantheon on the opposite shore - seem to epitomise the county as a whole. This outstanding stately home, one of Wiltshire's finest 18th-century landscaped gardens, is a delicious mix of formal and informal features. And it's not just the gardens that draw visitors, for at Stourhead's heart lies a Palladian mansion filled with glittering furnishings and object d'art.
At Bowood House and Gardens, master landscaper 'Capability' Brown created a flowing mix of woodlands and lawns sloping down to a lake, overlooked by the formal terraces of an imposing stately home. Bowood has an all-round appeal, for set amongst its woods is an imaginatively designed Adventure Playground for younger visitors.
Longleat is a beautiful stately home in Wiltshire and also attracts a family audience. The house, seat of the Marquess of Bath, is surrounded by magnificent grounds that again bear the mark of industrious 18th-century landscaper 'Capability' Brown.
Wilton House is another stately home in Wiltshire. Here, the magnificent 450-year-old house - seen in films such as Sense and Sensibility and Mrs Brown - stands amongst parklands, woodlands and water gardens.
Lydiard House and Park near Swindon is a Georgian jewel. With its formal parkland, pasture, beautiful woodland walks, avenues and lake, it still retains the grand design of its 18th-century heyday.
Malmesbury's rose and herb filled Abbey House Garden, next to a 12th-century Benedictine abbey, is an enchanting place. Spring bulbs, tulips and its 2,000 different roses represent Britain's largest private collection. 'The WOW! Factor is here in abundance,' says Alan Tichmarsh.
The Courts, near Bradford on Avon, is a fascinating National Trust English country garden full of mystery, variety and colour and make sure you visit The Peto Garden, a little corner of Italy at Iford Manor, also near Bradford on Avon and the 'secret' Larmer Tree Gardens on Cranborne Chase.
And don't forget that many other beautiful Wiltshire gardens are open to the public on selected dates throughout the year under The National Gardens Scheme.
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VisitWiltshire provides tourism services on behalf of Wiltshire Council.
