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ERNEST WILSON MEMORIAL GARDEN ( in town )
Opened in 1984 as a permanent memorial to Ernest ('Chinese') Wilson in Leysbourne (an extension of Chipping Campden High Street) this garden contains a small selection from some 1200 plants that Wilson collected on his numerous visits to China. The garden is open every day and provides a little haven of tranquility even on the busiest of summer days.
Entrance is free of charge but donations placed in the collection box set in the wall just inside the gateway are welcomed and are used to pay for upkeep and maintenance.
HIDCOTE MANOR GARDEN ( 3.5 miles / 6 km )
Hidcote Manor Garden was created by the American horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in 1907, and is set out as a series of outdoor 'rooms', each of which peaks at a different time of the year from the others, making a visit to this great Art and Crafts garden enjoyable whatever time of year you choose to go there. For details of this and other National Trust Gardens visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
KIFTSGATE COURT GARDEN ( 3.5 miles / 6 km )
Situated just across the road from Hidcote Manor Garden, Kiftsgate Court Gardens are set on the very edge of the Cotswold escarpment and provide an interesting contrast to the relative formality of their near neighbour. The different interconnecting gardens each has its own distinct character, and the latest addition, a contemporary water garden, provides an oasis of tranquility and order after the exuberance of the flower gardens. See www.kiftsgate.co.uk for further details.
MILL DENE GARDEN ( 3 miles / 5 km )
A beautiful, intimate, two and a half acre garden built around a watermill, the foundations of which date back to the 11th Century. The garden has been planted with thousands of tulips, daffodils, fritillaria and irises, and features a laburnum walk, a rose terrace, herbaceous borders and other interesting features. For further details see www.milldenegarden.co.uk
BATSFORD ARBORETUM ( 6 miles / 10 km )
Covering 56 acres ( 22ha.) Batsford Arboretum contains one of the largest private collections of shrubs and trees in the UK. The current collections contain over 3100 labelled specimens, more than half of which are shrubs and trees, underplanted with a variety of spring flowering bulbs and other wild flowers. As well as the Arboretum itself there is a garden centre and a falconry centre. Visit www.batsarb.co.uk for more information.
BOURTON HOUSE GARDEN ( 6 miles / 10 km )
Bourton House has an inspiring 3 acre ( 1.2 ha.) garden full of interesting features. Here you will find topiary, herbaceous borders, exotic plants, a unique shade house and planted pots in profusion. Their website is at www.bourtonhouse.com.
SEZINCOTE ( 6 miles / 10 km )
The garden at Sezincote reflects the unique character of the house itself, having a mystical, tranquil Eastern atmosphere with water features, statues of serpents, elephants and Brahmin bulls, and a temple containing the figure of the goddess Souriya. The house was built in 1810 with a distinct Indian style ( the onion dome and other features typical of Muslim architecture having influenced the design of Brighton Pavilion) which is reflected in the gardens and which gives this garden such a distinctive feel.
Garden : open 2pm until 6pm every Thursday, Friday and Bank Holiday Monday (except December)
Admission £4 adults, £2 children. Regret no dogs allowed.
House : open 2.30pm until 6pm every Thursday and Friday during May, June, July and September.
Guided tours £6 per adult (includes admission to garden). Regret no children in the house without special permission.
Entrance is opposite Batsford Arboretum on A44 between Moreton in Marsh and Bourton on the Hill
Telephone 01386 700444
For information on other gardens more than 6 miles (10km) from Chipping Campden please go to Links/Gardens