For more details www.blenheimflowershow.co.uk ... October It's apple season at Waterperry and ... T 01386 701441 E marke
Enjoy all season in our gardens
January and Snow and frost let garden structures patterns shine February and Carpets of delicate snowdrops, hellebores crocus as nature awakens for spring March allEnjoygardens; daffodils and other spring bulbs at saxifrages at Waterperry April atJapanese cherry blossom joins the colourful feast Stonor and Batsford, along with magnolia and narcissi. See Fritillaries, Oxfordshire’s iconic flowers, at Waterperry
May atWisteria and giant alliums are in full splendour Cotswold Wildlife Park and Stonor; davidia, June
tulips and bluebells at Batsford and Hidcote Prime time for roses and herbaceous borders, which burst into colourful explosions at all gardens. at Blenheim Palace, a new Churchill Memorial Garden opens rd Batsfo tum re o rb a
July Lavender Lilies and Cotswold add more colour and fragrance to the flowering symphony. at Buscot Park’s Water Gardens, water lilies are at their best
August
Hidcote and Stonor are clad in pink and purple with fuchsias, dahlias and heliotropes
GARDEn LOCATiOnS
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Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre Set in 56 acres near Moreton-in-Marsh
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Blenheim Palace
Only 8 miles from Oxford set in the midst of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds
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Broughton Castle
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Buscot Park
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Located near Banbury in North Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire’s best kept secret near Faringdon
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Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
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Set in 160 acres near the Cotswold town of Burford
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Hidcote
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Stonor Park
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Waterperry Gardens
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Near the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden
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Three acres on the outskirts of Henleyon-Thames
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Located 8 miles from Oxford City Centre
September
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Japanese anemones, asters and autumn crocus crop up
October
It’s apple season at Waterperry and the start of autumn colour at Batsford and Blenheim Palace
November throughout autumn colour continues Oxfordshire December and Christmas season with markets activities at Waterperry and Blenheim Palace
Follow us on Cotswo ld Wild life Park
@visitoxfordshir
Visit Oxfordshire
www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com
WinadayattheRaymondBlanc Cookery School at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons! A BLOOMING GOOD DAY OUT Friday 19th –Sunday 21st June
Garden Guide 2015
For your chance to win, simply fill in the coupon or enter online by 31 December 2015.
8BEST GARDEnS OF OXFORDSHIRE’S
One lucky winner will take part in a full day of hands-on tuition, demonstrations and tastings on a Seasonal Dinner Party Course, as well as a guided tour of the extensive gardens at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Raymond Blanc’s beloved organic vegetable gardens provide the freshest ingredients for the menu.
Save money on your visit to Waterperry Gardens
InCLUDES GUIDE TO SEASOnAL
HiGHLiGHTS
For more details www.blenheimflowershow.co.uk
A VOuCHER FOR YOUR VISIT TO... WATERPERRy GARDEnS waterperrygardens.co.uk
2 1 FOR
on entry for all full paying adults
TeRMS & CONDITIONS Amended, defaced or photocopied voucher will not be accepted. Not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion, offer, annual pass or advance bookings. Standard terms of entry apply. No cash alternative. Valid until 31.12.15 (excludes 16.07.15 to 19.07.15). See website for seasonal opening.
© Paul Wilkinson 2014
2015 sees the return of the ever-popular Blenheim Palace Flower Show. The three-day show is packed with colour and inspiration and boasts over 250 floral and garden exhibitors, a Grand Floral Marquee showcasing some of the very best gardening in the UK, and plenty of fabulous shopping opportunities. Talks from renowned gardening experts are sure to give you lots of ideas for your garden, and a host of celebrities including Mary Berry will be making appearances throughout the weekend!
Le manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Great Milton is a wonderful place to visit, whatever the season. enjoy a relaxing walk through the grounds before a delicious lunch or dinner, stay overnight in luxury, or enrol yourself on the Raymond Blanc Cookery School. Simply enter online on www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/ competitions or fill in the coupon below for your chance to win! Name email I Yes, I would like to receive the monthly Oxfordshire newsletter
Return to: Visit Oxfordshire, 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3aS Terms & Conditions available on www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/competitions
FROnT COVER imAGE Blenheim Palace Water Terrace
For details about Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons visit www.belmond.com/lemanoir
Win a DaY aT
The Raymond Blanc Cookery School www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com
Oxfordshire’
gardens are a delight for all the senses, whatever the weather and season.
Blenheim Palace
Wherever you go in Oxfordshire, you’re never far from lush havens, filled with vibrant colour and fragrance. Famous landscape architects like ‘Capability’ Brown, who started his career in and around Oxfordshire, have left a legacy of inspiring landscapes and designs. Discover some of the best examples of classic English gardens in Oxfordshire. For more information and garden events, visit www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com
BATSFORD ARBORETum AnD GARDEn CEnTRE
COTSWOLD WiLDLiFE PARK & GARDEnS
Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos GL56 9QB T 01386 701441 E
[email protected] W batsarb.co.uk
Burford, Oxon OX18 4JP T 01993 823006 E
[email protected] W cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
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Garden Type arboretum & Wild Garden Soil Type Lias Clay
Garden Type Exotic and diverse Soil Type Various
Batsford is home to one of the country’s largest private tree collections with 56 acres of wild gardens, paths and streams, stunning views and beautiful statues. enjoy early colour from snowdrops, spring-flowering bulbs and Japanese flowering cherries; escape the heat under the tree canopy in the summer and prepare to be amazed by the outstanding autumn colour! Browse the walled garden plant centre, garden and gift shops; soak up the sunshine from the deck of the Garden Terrace Café. Open all year round except Christmas Day Opening times 9am-5pm Admission charge* adult £7.95 Concessions £6.95 Child £3.50 Family £19.95 *Including 10% Gift aid donation Without Gift aid: adult £7.20 Concessions £6.30 Child £3.15 Family £18.00
The stunning gardens and themed borders, make a beautiful backdrop to the animals. Garden features: Tropical House, seasonal planting, cacti and exotic plants outside in warmer months and spectacular specimen trees. Stephen Lacey (Daily Telegraph) described the exotic planting in the Old Walled Garden as ‘amongst the best in Britain’. Open all year around (except Christmas Day) Opening times Every day from 10am Admission charge Please see website for details
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Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxon OX20 1PP T 0800 849 6500 E
[email protected] W blenheimpalace.com
Garden Type Historical Soil Type alkaline
Garden Type Formal Gardens & arboretum Soil Type alkaline
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BROuGHTOn CASTLE
Broughton, Banbury, Oxon OX15 5EB T 01295 276070 E
[email protected] W broughtoncastle.com
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BuSCOT PARK
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Buscot Park, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 8BU T 01367 240786 E
[email protected] W buscotpark.com
WATERPERRy GARDEnS
Garden Type Ornamental Soil Type Sandy Loam
© Peter auger
The gardens and pleasure grounds at Buscot Park are one of Oxfordshire’s best kept secrets. Designed in the late 18th century to grace the Palladian style house, the grounds were enhanced in the 20th and 21st centuries by the Ist, 2nd and 3rd Lords Faringdon. They include the stunning ‘Water Garden’ designed by Harold Peto, as well as the ‘egyptian Avenue’ and ‘Lady Faringdon’s Swinging Garden’ in the pleasure grounds. In addition there is the ‘Four Seasons Walled Garden’. Open 1 april–30 September Opening times 2-6pm. Last entry 5pm Admission charge Historic House & Gardens: £10 Gardens only: £7
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eight acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens including formal knot, rose and alpine gardens and one of the finest purely herbaceous borders in the country. Visit our quality Plant Centre, Garden Shop, Gift Barn, Gallery, Rural Life Museum and Teashop for homebaked lunches and cakes. events throughout the year from horticultural themed weekends to fun activities for children. Plus arts, crafts and gardening courses. Special group rates available. Open all year, except: art in action 16-19 July 2015, Christmas: 25–26 Dec & 31 Dec–2 Jan. Please see website Opening times High Season: 10am-5.30pm, Low Season: 10am-5pm Admission charge adult £6.80 Group (over 20) £5.30 Children under 16 free a b c p Ò fgl n ◊ M
Did you know that the great landscape architect ‘Capability’ Brown liked to compare gardens to sentences:
KEy TO SymBOLS Shop
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Refreshments
c Toilets
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Parking
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Designated accessible parking
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accessible toilet
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Flight of steps to entrance
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Facilities for visually impaired
Credit cards accepted Percentage of access for wheelchair users
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Children’s play area Picnic area
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Coach parking
o Dogs allowed
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Plant sales
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Green Tourism VaQaS Experience Oxfordshire Member
Hidcote © nTPL / Paul Harris
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Waterperry, Near Wheatley, Oxford OX33 1JZ T 01844 339226 E offi
[email protected] W waterperrygardens.co.uk
Garden Type Formal, Landscape & Herbaceous Soil Type Oxford Clay
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STOnOR PARK
Stonor, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 6HF T 01491 638587 E
[email protected] W stonor.com
Situated in a beautiful Chiltern valley, the walled garden rises up behind the ancient house built and lived in by the Stonor family since the twelfth century. In April one finds swathes of daffodils in front of the house. In June iris, old fashioned roses, peonies and lavenders bloom on the seventeenth century terraces, flanked by ancient yew trees and clipped box hedges by the lily ponds. Climbing the terrace one finds a long mixed border and a Japanese garden house built by the 5th Lord Camoys after his visit to Kyoto in 1906. Open 5 april–27 September Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays. also Wednesdays & Thursdays in June, July & august Opening times 12noon-5.30pm Admission charge £5
There’s a formal garden, great plush borders along the old ramparts and cows and sheep grazing in the water meadows beyond, overlooking it all this rambling honey-coloured house... as magical inside as out. Handsome rooms lined with linen fold panelling and a splendid drawing room overlooking the moat. © Alan Bennett, Writing Home 1996 Open 1 May–15 September plus Easter Sunday and Monday Opening times 2-5pm Wednesdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays plus Thursdays in July & august Admission charge adult £9 Concessions £8 Child & Garden only £5
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Garden Type Classic English Soil Type Chalk
Garden Type Formal & Herbaceous borders Soil Type Mixed
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© national Trust Images / Mike Williams
This world famous Arts and Crafts garden nestles in a north Cotswolds hamlet created by the talented American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston. Hidcote’s colourful and intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’ are full of surprises, which change in harmony with the seasons. Many of the unusual plants found growing in the garden were collected from Johnston’s plant hunting trips to faraway places. Wandering through the maze of narrow paved pathways, you come across secret gardens, unexpected views and plants that burst with colour. Open March–October Opening times 10am-5pm Admission charge adult £11.50 Child £5.75 Family £28.75 (includes 10% voluntary Gift aid donation)
Blenheim Palace is surrounded by acres of stunning Formal Gardens, including the Water Terraces, Rose Garden, Secret Garden and Italian Garden, all set in over 2000 acres of beautiful landscaped parkland. From mid-June, a new memorial garden in honour of Sir Winston Churchill will open, sharing the key milestones from his incredible life. Open Palace & Formal Gardens open daily from 14 February–20 December. Park open daily except for Christmas Day Opening times Park: 9am-6pm; Formal Gardens: 10am-5.30pm; Palace: 10.30am-5.30pm (last entry 4.45pm) Admission charge adult £22 Concessions £17.30 Child £12 Family £58 a b c p Ò mfg
HiDCOTE
Hidcote Bartrim, Chipping Campden, Glos GL55 6LR T 01386 438333 E
[email protected] W nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote
© national Trust Images / Chris Lacey
BLEnHEim PALACE FORmAL GARDEnS 2
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