Cotswold Gardens & Arboreta

Visits to gardens are often associated with summertime, but here in the Cotswolds, gardens bloom and burst with colour throughout all seasons of the year.

The Cotswold garden year begins with the first flush of snowdrops when, in early spring, Painswick Rococo Garden, Colesbourne Park and Newark Park are must-visit locations. As the days begin to warm and daffodils make a welcome appearance, gardens all over the Cotswolds start bursting into life.

Historic woodland, such as Woodchester Park, and the Gloucestershire Wildlife Nature Reserves offer lovely walks for bluebell spotting, while Batsford Arboretum becomes awash with wonderful cherry blossom created by its National Collection of Japanese flowering cherries.

There are lots of beautiful parks in the Cotswolds. Cheltenham is famous for its parks including Pittville Park (home to Pittville Pump Rooms) and Montpellier Gardens. The town’s Imperial Gardens (behind the Town Hall) are beautifully planted to suit each season.

Late spring and summer offer many choices; the herbaceous borders at Hidcote Manor and Snowshill Manor will surprise and delight; Kiftsgate Court and Sudeley Castle’s Queens’ Garden become beautifully fragrant with roses.

Highgrove is a must-see and offers pre-booked tours of the beautiful, organic gardens. Meanwhile, one of the hidden gems of the Cotswolds, Rousham has large swathes of woodland and evergreen planting, with gently meandering rills giving interest all year round.

Broadway Tower is the highest little castle in the Cotswolds. This was the brainchild of the great 18th century landscape designer “Capability” Brown. He also landscaped the grounds of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill.

As summer turns to autumn and the trees take on a golden hue, one of the best places to see native trees in full colour is in the grounds of Woodchester Park. Do not miss the spectacular Japanese acers in full colour at Westonbirt and Batsford arboreta or the cannas, bananas and grasses at the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Before winter arrives and brings the first frosts, enjoy the fantastic 'hot' planting at Bourton House Garden, and when the chill sets in Blenheim Palace will continue to delight with its formal clipped hedges, architecture, statuary and large landscape gardens.

Please take a look at the wonderful parks, gardens and arboretas in the Cotswolds below.