Being one of the top tourist destinations in the UK, the Cotswolds naturally has a vast array of parks and gardens to visit throughout the year. Having the great outdoors right on the doorstep of your holiday home is what makes the Cotswolds so attractive. With endless nature trails and picturesque villages to explore, there’s always something to do! Let’s take a look at some of our favourite gardens in the North Cotswolds.
Hidcote Manor Garden
Taking the number one spot has to be Hidcote Manor Garden. This National Trust garden may be the most renowned attraction to visit just outside the North Cotswold town of Chipping Campden. Set in grounds like a scene from Alice in Wonderland, Hidcote Manor Garden is one of the UK’s best garden displays of the Art and Craft Movement. Hedges form the borders of the different areas where unusual shrubs and trees can be found. Visitors can wander through the maze to the various hideaways featuring fountains, ponds and the prettiest flower beds.
Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Three generations of female gardeners have been working on Kiftsgate Court gardens since 1920, and the Chambers family now owns the gardens. Unlike the nearby National Trust Hidcote Manor Garden, Kiftgate Court Garden are private, but the owners open gardens at various times during the summer months. It would be best to check their website for the days and times they are open for you to enjoy. There are hedges, colourful flower beds, a water garden and beautifully lined paths to explore. With the tastes of three different gardeners, the whole attraction is quite diverse.
Batsford Arboretum
Batsford Arboretum is a breath-taking 56-acre garden with plant and tree species from all around the world. If you’re staying in one of Honeypot Cottages’ dog-friendly properties, then you’ll be happy to know that your furry friend can also enjoy the gardens!
With stunning seasonal displays throughout the entire year, the garden transforms before your eyes. From snowdrops in late winter, right through to the Japanese Maple showing off their glorious butter golds and bright red hues. Onsite there is a spacious and well-stocked Garden Shop, Plant Centre and Gift Shop. At the Garden Terrace Café, you can enjoy a range of hot lunches, drinks and snacks throughout the day. You really can make a day of it at Batsford Arboretum.
Birdland Park and Gardens
A little further afield in Bourton-on-the-water (about a 25min drive) is the Birdland Park and Gardens. A great day out for the entire family, we recommend this to any bird-loving guests! First opened in 1957, the park is home to over 500 birds of 130 different species.
Did you know, Birdland Park is home to the UK’s only breeding colony of King Penguins?!
The park plays host to a number of different themed events throughout the year, so it’s definitely worth checking out their website to see if there are any events for your upcoming stay.
Cotswold Lavender Farm
If you’re visiting from late April / early May to August, you will have the fantastic opportunity to witness our local lavenders in bloom – it’s such a pretty sight!
Cotswold Lavender is a third-generation family farm which has been growing lavender since 1999. It turns out that lavender loves the hilltop limestone soils we have in the Cotswolds and the crop has thrived. Today the farm has over 40 different varieties of lavender, 140 miles of rows and over 500,000 plants.
A section of the fields are ‘show fields’ and are open to visitors during certain times of the year. This means you can take a stroll through the gorgeous purple hills, smell the flowers and take some stunning pictures of the family!
As well as the lavender there’s also a wildflower field full of colourful blooms. After you’re done in the fresh air, there is a shop and tea room where you can buy lavender products grown on the farm to take away with you.
Come and enjoy the beauty of the gardens in the North Cotswolds
We are so lucky to call this part of the world our home and here at Honeypot Cottages, we love to share it with our guests. With 17 self-catering cottages nestled in the North Cotswolds countryside, we offer the perfect base to explore and discover!
With lots of summer events popping up in the diary, now is a great time to enjoy some well-needed rest and relaxation. Why not potter around some of the gardens in the North Cotswolds mentioned above? If you want to know more about what we offer here at Honeypot Cottages, please do give us a call on 01386 841714 or email us at info@honeypotcottages.co.uk.