The Best Cotswold Gardens To Visit In 2025

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Blog, Gardens

Street With Pink Flowers and Trees

The Cotswolds are renowned for their timeless charm, golden-stone villages, and sweeping landscapes—but for lovers of gardening and nature, this region is also home to some of the most spectacular gardens in England. Dotted across rolling hills and stately grounds, Cotswold gardens are living works of art—filled with rare plants, clever design, and a strong sense of history.

Each Cotswolds garden tells a story, whether it’s tied to an artistic legacy, royal tradition, or the landscape itself. From formal parterres to wild meadows and exotic arboretums, these green spaces have been lovingly shaped across generations. There’s something deeply restorative about wandering through a historic garden, where every path and planting offers a new perspective, a whisper of the past, or a flash of inspiration for your own backyard.

These beautiful gardens are also about more than just plants—they’re places of creativity, contemplation, and connection to nature. They serve as open-air museums of horticultural heritage, where different styles and philosophies converge. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply seeking a beautiful place to unwind, the arboretums and English Manor gardens of the Cotswolds welcome you with open gates and flourishing beauty.

Here are some of the most enchanting gardens you can explore in the Cotswold countryside.

 1. Hidcote Manor Garden

Hidden away in the north Cotswolds near Chipping Campden, Hidcote Manor Garden is a masterclass in garden design. Created by the visionary horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston, and now a National Trust Garden, this world-famous Arts and Crafts garden is a tapestry of walled gardens creating outdoor garden rooms—each with its own character, planting scheme, and mood.

Expect to find vibrant borders, shady nooks, rare plant species, and romantic water features around every corner. The famous manor garden‘s clever layout creates a feeling of discovery, making it a must-visit for anyone with a love of plants or design. After wandering the maze of hedges and blooms, the on-site café is the perfect place to soak it all in with a cuppa.

Many of our tours visit Chipping Campden, where you can visit Hidcote Manor, including:

 

2. Kelmscott Manor

The former home of William Morris, Kelmscott Manor is a pilgrimage site for lovers of the Arts and Crafts movement. Set in the picturesque village of Kelmscott near the River Thames, this Cotswolds  manor is surrounded by lush gardens filled with heritage plants and quiet corners. The garden’s design reflects Morris’s ideals—simple, natural, and harmonious with the surrounding countryside. He spent as much time at the manor as he could, and it informed his ideas about society, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of historic buildings.

After exploring the house and gardens, visit the tea room and stroll through the idyllic village of Kelmscott for an authentic experience of the English countryside that Morris so loved.

Our Heart of William Morris Country Walking Tour includes a stop at Kelmscott, among other villages connected to Morris.

3. Sezincote House and Gardens

Sezincote is a one-of-a-kind Indian-style palace nestled in the Gloucestershire hills near Moreton-in-Marsh. Inspired by Mughal architecture, the historic house features onion domes, minarets, and a curving orangery, all set within romantic gardens filled with pools, canals, and exotic plantings. The garden’s sweeping landscape, created by the famed Humphry Repton, adds another layer of grandeur. A visit to Sezincote is a magical experience, blending Eastern flair with English pastoral charm. It’s no wonder that Sezinecote is one of the most famous gardens in the Cotswolds.

Our Best of the Cotswolds Walking Tour begins and ends in Moreton-in-Marsh, making a visit to this incredible Cotswold attraction an easy item to add to your itinerary.

old House With Flowers On The Wall

4. Stanway House and Fountain

Stanway House, a Jacobean manor nestled near Cheltenham beneath the Cotswold escarpment, boasts a garden that feels untouched by time. Included in it’s lush grounds is a watergarden comprised of a canal, a towering single-jet fountain, and a collection of ponds. The magnificent gravity-fed fountain is the tallest of its kind in Britain, reaching 300 feet. The grounds also include terraced lawns, wildflower meadows, and a romantic canal. Open seasonally, Stanway offers a quiet country garden experience that’s both picturesque and peaceful.

A Cotswold classic, Cheltenham and Stanway House feature on a few Cotswold Journeys tours, including the South Cotswold Ring Walking Tour, the Grand Tour of the Cotswolds on Foot, and the Cotswold Circle Walking Tour.

5. Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Just across the lane from Hidcote lies another hidden gem: Kiftsgate Court Gardens. A private family garden for generations, Kiftsgate has a unique charm and warmth that lingers long after your visit. Built into a hillside with panoramic views of the Malvern Hills, its terraces overflow with roses, flowering shrubs, and clever plant combinations that change with the seasons.

Created and cared for by three generations of women, Kiftsgate blends the romantic with the contemporary. The iconic Kiftsgate Rose, known for its vigorous beauty, is just one of many delights. And with a charming tearoom tucked into the grounds, this garden is as much a feast for the tastebuds as it is for the eyes.

Many of our tours visit Chipping Campden, just a stone’s throw from Kiftsgate Court Gardens, including:

    6. Painswick Rococo Garden

    A true one-off, the Painswick Rococo Garden is England’s only surviving example of a Rococo-style garden. Designed in the 18th century for playful garden parties and whimsical strolls, this tucked-away treasure is full of surprises—curious follies, winding pathways, elegant bridges, and wide open vistas.

    Each season brings something magical: carpets of snowdrops in winter, scented blooms in summer, and fiery foliage in autumn. There’s also a kitchen garden, orchard, and maze to explore, along with a delightful café serving up homemade cakes and teas. Set in the heart of Painswick—known as the Queen of the Cotswolds—it’s a perfect stop on any countryside ramble.

    Our South Cotswolds Ring Walking Tour, Grand Tour of the Cotswolds on Foot, and Cotswold Way Long Distance Walking Tour visit Painswick. 

    Building With Autumn Trees

    7. Sudeley Castle and Gardens

    History and horticulture come together at Sudeley Castle, one of the Cotswolds’ most impressive heritage sites. The castle is famed for its royal connections—most notably as the final resting place of Queen Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII.

    Surrounding the castle are ten award-winning gardens, each with a distinct personality. Wander through rose-covered archways, tranquil herb gardens, and grand formal layouts framed by the ruins of the past. With views stretching across the hills and a sense of majesty in the air, Sudeley offers a rare combination of storybook beauty and living history.

    A true piece of English history, Sudeley Castle is an attraction on a few of our tours, including the South Cotswold Ring Walking Tour, the Grand Tour of the Cotswolds on Foot, and the Cotswold Circle Walking Tour.

    Old Frame Of A Castle With Manicured Gardens

    8. Snowshill Manor and Garden

    Tucked into the hills above Broadway, Snowshill Manor and Garden is as eccentric as it is enchanting. The manor itself houses the remarkable collections of Charles Paget Wade, a man devoted to craftsmanship, colour, and creativity. That same spirit spills out into the garden, a lovingly designed Arts and Crafts haven of terraces, water features, and quirky architectural details.

    You’ll find secret pathways, a miniature model village, and dramatic views across the Vale of Evesham. Also a National Trust garden, Snowshill Manor is a place to slow down and soak in the atmosphere—and just a short walk away lies Snowshill village, one of the Cotswolds’ most picturesque and film-worthy spots.

    Several of our tours visit Broadway, including:

     

    House With Green Lawn

    9. Batsford Arboretum

      Located just outside the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, Batsford Arboretum is one of the largest private tree collections in the country. This dog-friendly 56-acre garden is home to over 2,850 specimens, including rare trees and shrubs from around the world. Particularly stunning in spring and autumn, Batsford delights visitors with its Japanese maples, magnolias, and seasonal displays. The arboretum’s naturalistic landscape is complemented by a plant centre and garden terrace café, making it an ideal spot for a day out.

      Our Best of the Cotswolds Walking Tour begins and ends in Moreton-in-Marsh, so a stop (or two) at the Batsford Arboretum is an easy addition to your Cotswolds adventure.

      Red Bridge With Autumn tree

      10. Frampton Court

      Situated in the village of Frampton-on-Severn, this Grade I-listed estate is known for its stunning Gothic orangery, formal gardens, and ornamental canal. Surrounded by lush parkland, Frampton Court is a superb example of Georgian garden design. The grounds are often open to the public during special events, making it a delightful and less-discovered spot for those who appreciate historic landscapes and architectural elegance.

       

      11. Highgrove Royal Gardens

      Highgrove Gardens, the private residence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is situated near Tetbury. These gardens are a deeply personal project—forty years in the making—and are widely considered among the most innovative in the country.

       

      Guided tours unveil a rich variety of garden styles and themes, from the ethereal Stumpery and serene Cottage Garden, to the precisely manicured Thyme Walk and a spectacular Wildflower Meadow buzzing with life. Every corner reflects a commitment to sustainability, harmony, and natural beauty—a glimpse into the personal vision of His Majesty himself.

       

      12. Barnsley House

      Located near Cirencester, Barnsley House was once home to legendary gardener Rosemary Verey, who designed the gardens with elegant formality and a touch of whimsy. Today, the gardens are maintained by The Pig hotel, and visitors can enjoy beautifully kept parterres, a knot garden, kitchen garden, and the famous Laburnum Walk. Barnsley is the perfect blend of luxurious relaxation and horticultural inspiration.

       

      13. Westonbirt House & Arboretum

      Westonbirt House, a grand Victorian manor near Tetbury, is surrounded by formal gardens that seamlessly transition into the renowned Westonbirt Arboretum. The arboretum itself spans over 600 acres and showcases thousands of tree species from around the world. Autumn is a particularly magical time to visit, with blazing colours transforming the canopy into a painter’s palette. The combination of architectural grandeur and botanical diversity makes Westonbirt a standout destination.

       

      Whether you’re drawn by perfectly clipped topiaries, tranquil water features, or the stories behind the people who created them, these Cotswold gardens offer an unforgettable experience. With history, flora, and fauna to boast, the manor houses and English gardens of the Cotswolds are the perfect way to experience the Cotswolds in full bloom.