Five of the best Gloucestershire gardens

See SoGlos.com’s hand-picked bunch of the best gardens in Gloucestershire for a gloriously relaxing way to unwind in the great outdoors.

Gloucestershire is a green and pleasant county crammed with enough horticultural opportunities to get Alan Titmarsh hot under the collar.

From towering rare trees to intricate Tudor knots, the SoGlos.com team has rounded up five of its favourite gardens for green-fingered fans across Gloucestershire.

So, whether you’re looking for the sort of inspiration Ground Force would be proud of or some fresh air in stunning scenery, a leisurely stroll around these Gloucestershire gardens is guaranteed to do just the trick.

Sudeley Castle Gardens

Sudeley Castle’s 14 acres of gardens in Winchcombe are amongst the very best, and most historically important, in Britain – with an elaborate Tudor knot garden, Victorian yew hedges and masses of wildflowers, not to mention hundreds of varieties of old fashioned roses, some pre-dating the Castle itself.

New for 2011, renowned gardener Sir Roddy Llewellyn has taken the helm as design consultant at Sudeley Castle, overseeing a brand new healing herb garden walk which is set to attract even more visitors from around the globe this summer.

For more information see Sudeley Castle and Gardens, call (01242) 604244 or visit sudeleycastle.co.uk directly.

Westonbirt Arboretum

The National Arboretum, near Tetbury, is one of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world, never mind Gloucestershire – home to more than 3,000 different tree and shrub species and spanning more than 600 acres.

Visitors can enjoy guided walks and explore trails, and buy their own specimens in the plant shop, with families particularly well catered for with the children’s play area and extensive calendar of events on offer.

For more information see Westonbirt Arboretum, call (01666) 880220 or visit forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt directly.

Westbury Court Gardens

Westbury Court Gardens is a National Trust gem in Westbury-on-Severn, providing the only example of a restored Dutch water garden in the entire country.

Laid out between 1696 and 1705, and restored some 30 years ago, visitors can take in the magnificent – and very photogenic – canals, clipped hedges and working 17th century vegetable plots, as well as see one of the oldest holm oaks in the country.

For more information see Westbury Court Gardens.

Painswick Rococo Gardens

Perfect for a leisurely afternoon’s stroll, Pan the God of Love presides over the Rococo Gardens in postcard perfect Painswick, which is described as a flamboyant example of early 18th century English garden design.

With magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and a tricky maze to conquer, visitors can also saunter around a kitchen garden before tucking into its tasty produce in the on-site restaurant.

For more information see Painswick Rococo Gardens.

Barnsley House Gardens

Barnsley House’s gardens were designed in the 1950s by Rosemary Verey, one of the world’s most famous gardeners, to offer visitors a combination of sunny terraces, formal lawns, intricate knots and ancient meadows.

Providing a peaceful place to relax, alongside the statues and ornamental fruit, those looking for an extra excuse to unwind can be pampered with essential oils in the dedicated Garden Spa.

For more information see Barnsley House Gardens.

SoGlos.com
20 May 2011