Court House Farm and Gardens

Anyone else might have balked at restoring this ancient dilapidated farmstead in the conservation area of Portishead. Not owner Helen Reed, who has managed to coax an enchanting garden hamlet from treeless mud-clogged fields and concrete-covered yards. The result is a place of intrigue and intimacy.

In spring, the frothy pink petals of Queen of the Prairie sway against a backdrop of fluffy-headed grasses. While autumn sees the amorous pinks fade to smouldering auburn. Dating back to Medieval and Tudor times, this labour of love encompasses a Rapunzel-style tower, charming old outhouses and renovated medieval barns. The three-acre site oozes romance, from the warm, earthy tones and the carefully sourced vintage furnishings used in the buildings to the hops and jasmine-draped walkway – a wedding photographer’s dream.

As part of the owner’s aim to bring Court House Farm and Gardens back into the community, visitors can also browse blooms at the flower farm, pick up luxurious textiles at an artisan market or book a stay at one of their bijou rooms. Whatever your plans, a trip here is bound to be memorable for all the right reasons.