Gardens in Somerset
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Our favourites
Farleigh Hungerford Castle
Bath
Set in the picturesque valley of the River Frome, the castle offers a range of unique features, including the remarkable 14th century chapel housing the tombs of past inhabitants, alongside towers and gardens to explore. Fairleigh Hungerford Castle provides a wonderful day out and picnic spot for a variety of visitors including families, couples and walkers. There are many hidden treasures to delight in with extensive displays in the Priest’s house, and for those who are brave enough to enter the crypt, there’s the best collection of human-shaped lead coffins in Britain.
Court House Farm and Gardens
Portishead
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.
Grow Wilder
Bristol
Grow Wilder is a nature reserve, urban farm and exceptionally wholesome day out on the outskirts of Bristol. The aim here isn’t just to create a space where the UK’s flora and fauna flourish, it is also a place where people thrive. As part of the Avon Wildlife Trust, a local charity working to protect wildlife and inspire a love of all things green in the West of England, Grow Wilder wears many hats. From a community-run food growing site and wildflower nursery to a popular destination for school trips and adult education courses in field ecology and wild skills. As you meander through the lush vegetation, you will pass a Forest Garden peppered with perennial fruit and nut trees, three lively ponds, and the Living Seed Bank, a kind of living library where seeds are responsibly collected and grown. The whole site is proof of the value of nature on people’s well-being, education and career development. By the time you leave Grow Wilder, you’ll have an armful of lovingly grown native plants to nurture in your own patch, a head full of wildlife-friendly gardening advice and you’ll be buzzing with nature-induced endorphins.
Milton Lodge Gardens
Wells
The garden at Milton Lodge is located half a mile north of Wells and was conceived in 1900 by Mr Charles Tudway, who is the present owner’s great-grandfather. The sloping ground has been transformed into the existing series of architectural terraces, specifically to capitalise on the views of the Cathedral and the Vale of Avalon.
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Bristol
"While primarily a place of learning, you don’t have to be a horticultural whiz to enjoy wandering through Bristol’s Botanic Gardens. That’s because the planting here isn’t just educational, it’s visually stunning too. From the riot of colour that greets visitors (and pollinators) in front of the Victorian house to the fragrant beds of the medicinal herb garden. The botanic garden is filled with an astonishing array of plants, which have been divided into four sections. There are displays telling the story of plant evolution, areas dedicated to drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants and a traditional Chinese herb garden. The garden’s commitment to conservation can be seen throughout, but is particularly pertinent at the displays of rare and threatened plants native to the Bristol area and the Southwest Peninsula. University of Bristol Botanic Gardens is situated in Stoke Bishop, just a few hundred meters from the edge of Durdham Down and a short walk from Bristol zoo. "
Somerset Lavender
Nr Radstock
With spectacular views over Somerset and the soothing smell of lavender, a stroll around the gardens makes for a truly relaxing day out. Visitors can marvel at the 50,000 Lavender plants of 20 varieties and take home some of their own and other exquisite lavender-based products following a visit to the Farm shop. Willow runs are endless fun for kids and the cafe offers delicious homemade cakes as well as light lunches. Lucky visitors may find fresh vegetables available in the shop, sourced from the Flower and Vegetable garden. The tranquillity continues in the Healing Garden where a range of herbs flourish from Camomile, Thyme and Mint to Arnica and Echinacea. A visit in summer is a magical experience at this family-run Lavender farm with plenty of sunflowers to delight in.
The Walled Garden at Mells
Frome
We are a small rural walled cottage garden in the heart of the Mells village, Somerset. Set in an acre of grounds the garden is split between a plant nursery and a delightful rambling garden where you can grab a cup of tea or a pizza from the outdoor café and lose yourself in tranquillity. The planting is very natural, soft and informal. It's not a status shouting garden, it tries to welcome everyone and being almost entirely herbaceous. It's like one big summer party.
Cleeve Abbey
Watchet
Located in a picturesque valley, with some of the finest cloister buildings remaining today, Cleeve Abbey offers an insight into 13th Century monastic life along with peaceful grounds to relax and explore. The cloister buildings, which include the gatehouse, the 15th century refectory and it's spectacular angel roof, and the 13th century heraldic tiles, all provide a glimpse of monastic life.
Dog-friendly gardens
Somerset Lavender
Nr Radstock
With spectacular views over Somerset and the soothing smell of lavender, a stroll around the gardens makes for a truly relaxing day out. Visitors can marvel at the 50,000 Lavender plants of 20 varieties and take home some of their own and other exquisite lavender-based products following a visit to the Farm shop. Willow runs are endless fun for kids and the cafe offers delicious homemade cakes as well as light lunches. Lucky visitors may find fresh vegetables available in the shop, sourced from the Flower and Vegetable garden. The tranquillity continues in the Healing Garden where a range of herbs flourish from Camomile, Thyme and Mint to Arnica and Echinacea. A visit in summer is a magical experience at this family-run Lavender farm with plenty of sunflowers to delight in.
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Bristol
"While primarily a place of learning, you don’t have to be a horticultural whiz to enjoy wandering through Bristol’s Botanic Gardens. That’s because the planting here isn’t just educational, it’s visually stunning too. From the riot of colour that greets visitors (and pollinators) in front of the Victorian house to the fragrant beds of the medicinal herb garden. The botanic garden is filled with an astonishing array of plants, which have been divided into four sections. There are displays telling the story of plant evolution, areas dedicated to drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants and a traditional Chinese herb garden. The garden’s commitment to conservation can be seen throughout, but is particularly pertinent at the displays of rare and threatened plants native to the Bristol area and the Southwest Peninsula. University of Bristol Botanic Gardens is situated in Stoke Bishop, just a few hundred meters from the edge of Durdham Down and a short walk from Bristol zoo. "
Farleigh Hungerford Castle
Bath
Set in the picturesque valley of the River Frome, the castle offers a range of unique features, including the remarkable 14th century chapel housing the tombs of past inhabitants, alongside towers and gardens to explore. Fairleigh Hungerford Castle provides a wonderful day out and picnic spot for a variety of visitors including families, couples and walkers. There are many hidden treasures to delight in with extensive displays in the Priest’s house, and for those who are brave enough to enter the crypt, there’s the best collection of human-shaped lead coffins in Britain.
The Walled Garden at Mells
Frome
We are a small rural walled cottage garden in the heart of the Mells village, Somerset. Set in an acre of grounds the garden is split between a plant nursery and a delightful rambling garden where you can grab a cup of tea or a pizza from the outdoor café and lose yourself in tranquillity. The planting is very natural, soft and informal. It's not a status shouting garden, it tries to welcome everyone and being almost entirely herbaceous. It's like one big summer party.
Cleeve Abbey
Watchet
Located in a picturesque valley, with some of the finest cloister buildings remaining today, Cleeve Abbey offers an insight into 13th Century monastic life along with peaceful grounds to relax and explore. The cloister buildings, which include the gatehouse, the 15th century refectory and it's spectacular angel roof, and the 13th century heraldic tiles, all provide a glimpse of monastic life.
Hanham Court Gardens
Bristol
Hanham Court stands on the Via Julia or Julian Road above the River Avon at an ancient ferry crossing. What was essentially a solid Norman House has been embellished over many generations with Early English, Tudor and 18th and 19th century alteration and additions. Julian and Isabel Bannerman are award-winning garden designers to the Prince of Wales, they have created over fifteen years a deeply romantic and scented garden. The formal garden has luscious borders of old roses, tree peonies, lilies and fountains. An amazing ‘Dancing Crown’ fountain is in the woodland garden, which has a stream, pools, snowdrops, tree ferns, magnolias and temples. Outside of the walls lies a miniature park, a downland of wild flower meadows overlooking the River Avon and an orchard. Behind the Tithe Barn is a small vegetable and cutting garden and near it the loggia, where the teas and plants were sold.
Highlights this month
Greenhouses
The Walled Garden at Mells
Frome
We are a small rural walled cottage garden in the heart of the Mells village, Somerset. Set in an acre of grounds the garden is split between a plant nursery and a delightful rambling garden where you can grab a cup of tea or a pizza from the outdoor café and lose yourself in tranquillity. The planting is very natural, soft and informal. It's not a status shouting garden, it tries to welcome everyone and being almost entirely herbaceous. It's like one big summer party.
Yeo Valley Organic Garden
Somerset
Six and half acres of contemporary organic garden. The design of the garden is done in-house and is constantly evolving. The energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved gives the garden its unique personality. It was in the beautiful Yeo Valley that Roger and Mary founded the Yeo Valley dairy business in the early 1970s. The yogurt is still made here and Holt Farm completed its conversion to wholly organic in 2009.
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Bristol
"While primarily a place of learning, you don’t have to be a horticultural whiz to enjoy wandering through Bristol’s Botanic Gardens. That’s because the planting here isn’t just educational, it’s visually stunning too. From the riot of colour that greets visitors (and pollinators) in front of the Victorian house to the fragrant beds of the medicinal herb garden. The botanic garden is filled with an astonishing array of plants, which have been divided into four sections. There are displays telling the story of plant evolution, areas dedicated to drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants and a traditional Chinese herb garden. The garden’s commitment to conservation can be seen throughout, but is particularly pertinent at the displays of rare and threatened plants native to the Bristol area and the Southwest Peninsula. University of Bristol Botanic Gardens is situated in Stoke Bishop, just a few hundred meters from the edge of Durdham Down and a short walk from Bristol zoo. "