Cotswold Gardens

Cotswold Gardens

Walk Details:

Duration: 6 nights / 6 days

Grade: Easy


The Cotswolds is blessed with an abundance of celebrated gardens and we invite you to join us to discover some of the best examples of 20th-century design from Hidcote to Highgrove. We also visit several traditional private English country gardens and enjoy a guided tour with the owners. A blend of wonderful gardens, fabulous local food and expert guides will help make it a magical journey through the Cotswolds. This guided tour limits the walking to the gardens themselves. There are 2 optional short walks for clients who wish to explore the wider landscape and discover wild flowers along the way.


This tour will operate with a minimum of 6 people.


Memories from previous years

Gardens featured in the slideshow, in order of appearance: 1. Coach House, 2. Kiftsgate Court Gardens, 3. Coach House, 4. Kiftsgate Court Gardens, 5.  Chipping Campden – private garden, 6. Westwell Manor, 7. Eastleach House, 8. Chipping Campden – private garden, 9.  Hidcote, 10. Admington Hall, 11. Coach House, 12.  Broughton Castle, 13.  Coach House, 14.  Rockcliffe, 15.  Campden House, 16.  Campden House, 17.  Kiftsgate Court Gardens, 18.  Asthall Manor, 19.  Hidcote, 20.  Daglingworth, 21.  Upton Wold, 22.  Broughton Castle, 23.  Broughton Castle, 24.  Broughton Castle, 25.  Rockcliffe, 26.  Broughton Castle, 27.  Admington Hall, 28.  Upton Wold, 29.  Westwell Manor, 30.  Chipping Campden – private gardens, 31.  Kiftsgate Court Gardens

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Prices from:

2024 prices


£2,845 pp for 6 days guided tour including accommodation in B&B's/hotels


Single supplement £425


£1,495 pp for 3 days guided tour including accommodation in B&B's/hotels


Single supplement £270


2025 prices


£2,985 pp for 6 days guided tour including accommodation in B&B's/hotels


Single supplement £475


£1,575 pp for 3 days guided tour including accommodation in B&B's/hotels


Single supplement £320

Upcoming tour dates:

6-day Tour: 16 - 22 June 2024 - Spaces still available, guaranteed departure


3-day Tour: 7 - 10 July 2024 - Spaces still available, guaranteed departure


6-day Tour: 22 - 28 June 2025

Please note: This is not a walking tour but rather  walking around gardens.


Please see Key Points for details.

6-Day Tour - Itinerary

This tour is as much about the gardens as it is about the amazing food the Cotswolds has to offer and our choice of restaurants and pubs will be different each day to showcase the best examples. Walking distances are kept to a minimum where possible and will mainly include walking around individual gardens.

The details below are an outline of the gardens we will be visiting.

NB - On rare occasions it may be necessary to change the sequence of the tour or the gardens we intend to visit.
DAY ONE - SUNDAY

Arrive in Chipping Campden

Meet your guide at 12 noon for an informal lunch and introduction to the tour. In the afternoon we explore some of the hidden treasures that make up the unique private gardens of Chipping Campden. Each year in June, 25 or more private gardens open their doors to the public in aid of the charity. It is a wonderful chance to peek behind closed doors, get a glimpse of the hidden gardens and talk to the owners about their passion for gardening.
 
Overnight in Chipping Campden for 3 nights. Transfers will be provided from Moreton-in-Marsh station to Chipping Campden or private transfers can be arranged from anywhere in the UK.
Lunch and dinner is included today.
DAY TWO - MONDAY

Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate Court Gardens and a guided walk

Hidcote Manor garden was designed and created by the American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts and Crafts style and is made up of a series of individual garden rooms, each possessing a unique character.

Hidcote Manor Garden

Kiftsgate Court Gardens is situated on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment and has wonderful vistas across the Vale of Evesham. Since Helen Muir in 1918, it has seen 3 generations of female gardeners. The borders are packed with plants and vibrant colours throughout the year as well as the famed rambling Kiftsgate rose. The tennis court was converted to a water feature in 2000 and adds to the delight and interest of this garden. 

Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Free afternoon to explore Chipping Campden, or have a guided walk back from Hidcote Gardens (3.25 miles) and discover wildflowers along the way.

Lunch and dinner is included today.

DAY THREE - TUESDAY

Bourton House Gardens, Sezincote and Upton Wold

Bourton House Garden is known for its stunning and meticulously designed formal gardens. The gardens are situated around a 16th-century manor house, and they have evolved over the years to reflect a combination of historical and contemporary influences. One of the highlights of Bourton House Gardens is the impressive topiary work. Intricate and artistic shapes are created with clipped hedges and shrubs, adding a sense of artistry to the landscape.

 of interest for any gardener.

Bourton House Gardens - Photo: Nick Turner

Sezincote Gardens are located at Sezincote House which is a unique and historic property built in the early 19th century. The estate is known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending Indian and Moorish design elements, making it a distinctive and visually striking property. Water plays a significant role in the garden design at Sezincote. There are water features such as ponds, streams, and fountains that add to the overall charm and tranquility of the landscape. The design includes a mix of traditional English garden features with Indian and Persian influences, creating a one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

Sezincote House

Upton Wold is set in a beautiful Cotswold landscape; this hidden private garden has been created over 30 years, originally with the help of landscape architect Hal Moggridge and the late Brenda Colvin. Upton Wold has an exceptional collection of trees, shrubs and plants and also holds the national collection of Juglans (Walnuts) and Pterocarya. A garden of interest for any gardener.


Lunch only is included today. Free evening.

DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY

Broughton Castle and mystery garden

Broughton Castle is a medieval manor house later transformed into a Tudor Mansion, surrounded by a wide moat and parkland. The highly regarded one acre garden includes a walled formal garden and herbaceous borders containing old rose varieties and shrubs. We will take a guided tour of the castle and the gardens.

Broughton Castle

The mystery garden - rarely open to the public - masterfully combines traditional and modern design elements with a sublime effect and has been described as one of the most beautiful gardens in England.

Overnight in Cirencester for 3 nights.

Lunch and dinner is included today.

DAY FIVE - THURSDAY

The Royal Gardens at Highgrove*

We visit Highgrove Gardens for a guided tour of HM The King Charles III very own private garden. Over the last 40 years His Royal Highness has created an extraordinary and very personal garden with the help of some of the UK’s top garden designers, including Rosemary Verey and the Bannermans. Highlights include the magnificent Wildflower Meadow, The Sundial garden, The Stumpery, Cottage Garden and Thyme Walk.

Free afternoon in Cirencester - its hard to top such a wonderful morning and lunch so we think an afternoon of relaxing and exploring this Roman town is the order of the day.

You also have the option of a gentle walk along the river Coln to Bibury, 3 miles. William Morris believed this was the most beautiful village in England with the former weaver's cottages at Arlington Row taking centre stage.

Lunch only is included today. Free evening.

* There is no guarantee tickets to Highgrove garden will be available for the dates suggested and this may involve an alternative venue to be selected.

Highgrove Gardens
DAY SIX - FRIDAY

Daglingworth House, a mystery garden and Througham Court

Daglingworth House Garden is a delightful, classical garden with a humorous contemporary twist. Its 2 acres consists of a walled garden, temple, grotto, pools, wonderful views and much more.

Daglingworth House Garden

The mystery garden is a steep hillside garden adorned with adventurous plantings and mesmerizing vistas. The owner, who's the visionary behind over two decades of dedicated development, will share the garden's compelling journey, overcoming challenges posed by the terrain.

The Mystery Garden

Througham Court is sited on the side of secret Cotswold valley and is an amalgam of an Arts and Crafts garden designed by Norman Jewson in 1930 and contemporary scientifically-inspired areas designed by the owner Dr Christine Facer and added to over the past 20 years. 

Througham Court

Lunch and farewell dinner is included today.

DAY SEVEN - SATURDAY

Depart

Depart after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Kemble train station.

3-Day Tour - Itinerary

DAY ONE - SUNDAY

Arrive in Broadway and visit Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Meet your guide at 12 noon for an informal lunch and introduction to the tour.


In the afternoon we explore Hidcote Manor and Kiftsgate Court Gardens.


Hidcote Manor garden was designed and created by the American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts and Crafts style and is made up of a series of individual garden rooms, each possessing a unique character.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens is situated on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment and has wonderful vistas across the Vale of Evesham. Since Helen Muir in 1918, it has seen 3 generations of female gardeners. The borders are packed with plants and vibrant colours throughout the year as well as the famed rambling Kiftsgate rose. The tennis court was converted to a water feature in 2000 and adds to the delight and interest of this garden.


Overnight in Broadway for 3 nights.


Transfers will be provided from Moreton-in-Marsh station to Broadway or private transfers can be arranged from anywhere in the UK.


Lunch and dinner is included today.

DAY TWO - MONDAY

Sezincote and Bruern Abbey gardens

Sezincote Gardens are located at Sezincote House which is a unique and historic property built in the early 19th century. The estate is known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending Indian and Moorish design elements, making it a distinctive and visually striking property. Water plays a significant role in the garden design at Sezincote. There are water features such as ponds, streams, and fountains that add to the overall charm and tranquility of the landscape. The design includes a mix of traditional English garden features with Indian and Persian influences, creating a one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

Bruern Abbey's garden is a diverse and enchanting space, extending beyond the grand front of the house. Surprises include a wildflower meadow on the roof of a former school swimming pool turned garage and two enclosed gardens—one for productivity and another, the monk's garden, with a cottage-like charm. The Spanish garden, a pièce de résistance, is tucked away, featuring an Alhambra-esque courtyard with rills, fountains, and vibrant plantings. This sheltered space hosts exotic plants and connects visually to the formal garden, creating a delightful atmosphere.

Lunch is included today. Free evening.

DAY THREE - TUESDAY

Bourton House Garden, mystery garden and Highgrove

Bourton House Garden is known for its stunning and meticulously designed formal gardens. The gardens are situated around a 16th-century manor house, and they have evolved over the years to reflect a combination of historical and contemporary influences. One of the highlights of Bourton House Gardens is the impressive topiary work. Intricate and artistic shapes are created with clipped hedges and shrubs, adding a sense of artistry to the landscape.

 of interest for any gardener.

The mystery garden - is a three quarters of an acre garden on the edge of Cheltenham surrounded by fields. Inspired by the work of dutch designer Piet Oudolf, with large beds of perennial plantings including many ornamental grasses. These merge into the surrounding landscape and grass paths weave through the plantings. The garden has been developed over the last three years from a bare site and includes a one acre paddock sown with wildflowers. Peak flowering is during the Summer months from July to October with plants chosen for their ability to hold their structure during the Winter.

We visit Highgrove Gardens for a guided tour of HM The King Charles III very own private garden. Over the last 40 years His Royal Highness has created an extraordinary and very personal garden with the help of some of the UK’s top garden designers, including Rosemary Verey and the Bannermans. Highlights include the magnificent Wildflower Meadow, The Sundial garden, The Stumpery, Cottage Garden and Thyme Walk.



* There is no guarantee tickets to Highgrove garden will be available for the dates suggested and this may involve an alternative venue to be selected.

Lunch and farewell dinner is included today.

DAY FOUR - WEDNESDAY

Depart

Depart after breakfast. Transfers will be provided to Kemble train station.

Your Guides

Vivienne McGhee

Vivienne is a former nurse and lawyer and inspired by her mother has gardened since childhood. She has created 5 wonderful gardens in the various houses where she has lived.

Following retirement from full time work she was elected chairman of Hardy Plant Society, a Charity in U.K. with over 7000 members. She was Chairman for 4 years but now enjoys more time in her own garden. Vivienne is also a Cotswold Voluntary Warden leading many town and country walks throughout the seasons.


Mel Tanner

Largely self-taught, apart from incidental courses at Pershore College and Waterperry, Mel's passion, knowledge and understanding of plants, design and good horticultural practice has developed through the creation of her garden in Gloucestershire, (featured in Gardens Illustrated Magazine, July 2016) over the past twenty eight years.


After working as a Garden Guide for HRH the Prince of Wales for eight years, Mel started a business running Garden Lecture Days and Specialist Plant Sales, and has also hosted a Masterclass for Gardens Illustrated Magazine in 2017. www.thegenerousgardener.co.uk

Andrew Guppy

As the owner of Cotswold Walks, I like nothing better than touring an English country garden. This is one of the highlights of the year for me and the variety of gardens and meeting the owners/head gardeners is a real inspiration. We aim to showcase the best the area has to offer in terms of gardens and just as importantly food. Having Vivienne and Mel lead the tour allows me to concentrate on sharing the history and local knowledge (gossip) of the area and making sure clients are looked after throughout the tour. I think we offer a smaller, more intimate experience of the Cotswolds with groups sizes around 12-14 people. You may only visit the Cotswold once, but we hope the memories will last a lifetime and thank you for considering us.


Key Points


Flights

You are advised to purchase a flexible flight ticket in case the tour is cancelled and we need to re-schedule your dates to another tour.

What’s included

  • Local guides throughout.
  • All entrance fees.
  • All transfers during the tour.
  • All lunches are included and 4 dinners but no alcoholic beverages.
  • The services of a tour guide throughout the trip to explain the history of the area and to discover some of the other hidden gems of the Cotswolds.
  • Mini-bus travel with professional driver and air conditioning.

Accommodation Options

The above price includes your accommodation in an en-suite room with breakfast.

Our self-select accommodation option allows you to choose accommodation that best suits your budget, from luxury hotels to family run B&B's. We will give you every assistance and advice to select from a list of preferred accommodations or please choose your own.

Please contact us for further details.

Comments & Testimonials

We were part of the enthusiastic group that toured the Cotswold Gardens in the summer of 2023. Such a pleasure and what an education! 

One of the delights that stood out for us was the variety. Not only did we visit celebrated and renowned sites, but Andrew also thought about more realistic and practical properties. He had arranged for us to see several local family gardens in Chipping Campton. Doing so gave us the opportunity to compare and contrast the lovely famous with the lovely not-so-famous. It made for an opportunity of practical and charming information for all aspiring gardeners. 

And the best part of all of it was the camaraderie and high spirits of the group. Andrew kept everyone smiling and we ended up learning as we laughed and kidded around. Super! When we got home and thought back on the trip, and an idea arose: this was one of the few travel adventures that proved better than we could have imagined! And that happens so rarely. If you have an opportunity to go, don’t think twice… You’ll garner memories for a long time…

Lou C.

June 2023

I had a fabulous time on the Cotswold Tour. This trip was so unique because of the diversity of private gardens we were able to visit along with the interaction with the owners and gardeners. The smaller more cozy accommodations, delicious local cuisine and size of our group were all added touches! I would highly recommend this tour for any serious gardener or person who appreciates the glory of the garden!

Sheri B.

June 2023

First the kudos: a truly spectacular experience, start to finish. Your knowledge and humor, the beautiful gardens, the food, the group -- all just wonderful. Thank you for all you did. I will write a more lengthy and even more glowing review on one of the sites you sent a link to. Again, many thanks. I am already recommending your tour to garden-loving friends.

Delia F.

June 2023

Thanks so much for the photos and for a delightful, wonderful, beautiful and really fun trip. The tour was so well organized, with much diversity of gardens, opportunities to meet owners and head gardeners, and have advice and great commentary from Vivienne McGhee. I loved seeing every single garden that you showed us, large and small, plus, it was a really fun group of people to spend the week with. 

 

And you, Andrew, worked hard to keep us all happy and went so out of your way to accommodate all of us, and it was a fabulous week. Your humor and great sense of humor kept us laughing as well as enjoying the gardens!!

 

My favorite garden and lunch was with Mel Tanner and her absolutely gorgeous home and garden. I had a chance to have a short conversation with her and she was delightful. Listening to her garden design and how she developed her plans and why was fascinating, and the lunch itself was delicious. It was a stunning experience—thank you!!

 

I loved the opportunity to have our 2 walks through the countryside and both walks were memorable and the scenery was gorgeous. Thank you for having this be part of the whole experience.

 

Our accommodations were nice and being in a bed and breakfast was perfect.

 

I would absolutely give this trip a 10!!! And having the time with you Andrew was really, really fun.

 

Thank you so much for everything and I will heartily recommend the trip to all.

Bobbie G.

June 2023

To whom it may concern:

I would highly recommend that you join the guided walking tour of the Cotswold Gardens ....

...I went on a similar trip to this several years ago and I can also guarantee that the gardens are magnificent, the accommodations are luxurious, the food is delicious and the opportunities to learn are incredible. I cannot think of a better place to walk or a better guide to walk with, so I hope you decide to take a chance and go for this experience of a lifetime. Don’t miss it!

Yours in gardening,

Hope Taft, First Lady of Ohio, 1999-2007
Inspired the Heritage Garden at the Ohio governor’s residence
Thank you once more for a glorious experience touring the gardens. The small group experience, the tailored adventures, and personalness of yourself and the guides, and property owners have left a sense of pleasure and delight in my heart, and a lovely imprint on my memory.
Anna C.
June 2019
I just can’t thank you enough for organizing our fabulous garden tour. I am having a great time showing off my pictures and telling the great stories of the tour. I am encouraging others to sign up to experience it for themselves.
Nancy L.
June 2019
The entire tour appealed to me because, basically, I am NOT a tour person! I think what appealed to me both before and after the week was the easy way it was all choreographed by you. There was no pressure. I thought the 9:30am meet up time each day was perfect. I am an early riser, but I like to have lots of time to just do whatever before the day starts, and this worked well. I liked being able to choose my hotel. That was a big plus. Again, it made it less “tour” and “group” feeling. Dinners were lovely. It was all what I had hoped for and so much more. Vivienne was a huge asset for the days she was with us and I think everyone would agree.

Read Libby's blog here.
Libby Wilkie
USA
July 2017
Our Cotswold Walks garden tour this past June was absolutely delightful. Seeing public gardens and private estates was wonderful. There were so many beautiful flowers blossoming and the arrangement of the gardens was inspiring. The weather was unusually hot, but certainly manageable. The pace you took, with 2 or 3 gardens per day was perfect. I liked that we stayed in only 2 places, and traveled out from there. I also appreciated that we could select the accommodations ourselves from your suggestions. When I came home I headed to local nurseries to see if I could find some of the flower varieties I saw and I shared my excitement about the trip with friends and family. Thank you so much for providing such a marvelous experience!
Pat S.
USA
June 2017
Paula and I thoroughly enjoyed our Cotswold Walks Garden Tour last June! It was a wonderfully memorable week and the weather was incredible. The accommodations were very good as was the food! The tour was well planned out and Andrew’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail was much appreciated. It was a real asset to have the opportunity to meet and talk with the garden/estate owners as well.

We went on to a shorter but much larger tour group in the Kent/Sussex area after leaving the Cotswold's. The gardens we visited on our second tour were for the most part very beautiful, however we missed your smaller more intimate tour group as well as the presence of a gardener/tour guide (Vivien and Mel). The food and accommodations on our second tour didn't compare with the Cotswold's offerings. The cost was much less but I am not sure that we appreciated the change. 

All in all I would recommend your style of garden tour over the other. A little less food...maybe! Broughton Castle was wonderful as was every other garden we toured. The stop at Broadway Tower was a nice touch as well. Thank you for your wonderful contribution to a most wonderful holiday in England.
Kelly P. and Paula K.
June 2017

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