In a country that’s famous for its gardens, there’s something quite special about the Cotswolds.

Indeed, gardening is a serious passion in this region which, blessed with many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, really is a ‘garden’ in itself.

Following the Covid-19 lockdown, many gardens have reopened and safety guidelines can be found on each garden's website. So read on to discover ten of the best gardens in the Cotswolds.

1 Cerney Gardens

© Cerney Gardens

Cerney is a romantic, secret garden nestled in a hidden Cotswold valley. Set around a Victorian walled garden with a 19th century conservatory, visitors can explore the predominantly working kitchen garden and orchard, culinary and medicinal herb garden and wildflower bank along with 40 acres of woodlands and parkland. There is no need to book as the garden is not usually too busy and social distancing is easy with the space.
Find out more: Cerney House Gardens, The Garden House, North Cerney GL7 7BX
Where to stay nearby: Our Cotswold Lake Lodges are less than 20 minutes’ drive.

2 Abbey House Gardens

© Abbey House Gardens

These enchanting five-acre gardens, nestled against the stunning backdrop of Malmesbury Abbey, have a very special peaceful and timeless atmosphere. Discover the country’s largest private collection of roses, double herbaceous borders that rival Monet’s in Giverny, and fabulous autumn colour from specimen trees and shrubs. The absolute passion of Ian and Barbara Pollard – known as The Naked Gardeners – the gardens are chock full of gardening inspiration. Why not come and judge for yourself? It is easy to maintain a social distance and there is no need to prebook tickets.  
Find out more: Abbey House Gardens, The Abbey House, Malmesbury SN16 9AS
Where to stay nearby: A 20 minute drive from our Cotswold Lake Lodges and Cotswold Manor House.

3 Sezincote

© Sezincote

Rather different to the average Cotswolds’ garden, Sezincote’s resplendent, Rajasthan-styled gardens have dazzled visitors for centuries. Sezincote is the extraordinary Indian house that inspired the design of the Brighton Pavilion. A curving orangery frames the Persian garden of paradise and there is a romantic water garden with pools, waterfalls, a grotto, much statuary and a temple to the Hindu Sun God. Please prebook through the website - 30 tickets are sold for each hour slot.
Find out more: Sezincote, near Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9AW
Where to stay nearby: Our holiday cottages in Chipping Norton are 20 minutes' drive away.

4 Westonbirt Arboretum

Enjoying Westonbirt’s STIHL Treetop Walkway: image credit Paul Groom

Whichever time of year you come, you can’t fail to be impressed by Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, one of the most beautiful tree gardens in the World. More than 16,000 trees from all over the globe can be viewed from 17 miles of well-kept trails. The opening of the 300-metre long STIHL Treetop Walkway enables visitors an unusual and exciting way to get up close and personal with the canopy too. Advanced booking only.
Find out more: Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS
Where to stay nearby: Stay at Cotswold Manor House and our Cotswold Lake Lodges nearby.

5 Bourton House Garden

© Bourton House Garden

This award-winning 3-acre garden surrounding a grand 18th-century manor house is beautiful at any time of year. Bourton House Garden features luxuriant terraces, several water features, stunning deep herbaceous borders and box…in parterres, knots, low hedges and spiralling topiary. The location is idyllic and within the garden is a 16th-century tithe barn. There is no need to prebook. 
Find out more: Bourton House Garden, Bourton-on-the-Hill GL56 9AE
Where to stay nearby: Our holiday cottages in Chipping Norton are 10 miles away.

6 Rodmarton Manor

Rodmarton by Julia Maudlin

Rodmarton, made in the true spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement is the grand-daddy of under-appreciated gardens in England. The house and garden designed by Edward Barnsley, one of the leading Arts and Crafts architects, is still the cherished home of the Biddulph family, who commissioned it. The eight-acre garden is a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ with topiary, high brick walls and gorgeous ‘tapestry-style’ planting. The garden plans to open each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon until the end of September 2020 and there is no need to prebook tickets. 
Find out more: Rodmarton Manor, Cirencester GL7 6PF
Where to stay nearby: Our Cotswold Lakeside holiday cottages are just 8 miles away.

7 Batsford Arboretum

© Batsford Arboretum

Batsford Arboretum, once home to the infamous Mitford sisters, is little bit of the Orient tucked away on a sunny Cotswold slope. This 56 acre scenic haven contains a stunning variety of rare plants and trees, with Japanese cherries, magnolias and bamboos complete with a Chinese bridge and bronze foo dog. The rocky landscape on the western edge surrounds a tumbling stream, created from pumped spring water. Prebooking is preferred for non members and guidelines are in place (see website).
Find out more: Batsford Arboretum, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB
Where to stay nearby: Our holiday cottages in Chipping Norton are ten miles distant.

8 Painswick Rococo Garden

Created in the decadent and funloving 1730s, there’s nowhere quite like Painswick. Designed in the Rococo style, this ten-acre plot survived the brief period when theatrical pleasure gardens were all the rage. Famed for its snowdrop displays, wander the paths through the flowers and woodland, get lost in the unusual maze and admire the more formally planted areas that reveal beautiful vistas and quirky Gothic follies. You will need to book an online visit time in advance.
Find out more: Painswick Rococo Garden, Painswick GL6 6TH
Where to stay nearby: Just half an hour’s drive from our Cotswold Lake Lodges.

9 Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Tim Miles, Head Gardener, in the gardens; © Cotswold Widlife Park

This garden certainly has the most exotic residents! Set in over 160 acres of beautiful parklands in Bradwell Grove, the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens has one of Britain’s finest zoological collections. Alongside the diverse collection of species, there is also a stunning, multi-coloured Eden – full of banana trees, gunnera, palm trees, yuccas and giant canna – designed to replicate the tropics. Tendered by a creative team of gardeners, every part of the Park is a delight for the whole family, including your pet pooch. All tickets MUST be booked online the day before your visit.
Find out more: Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Burford OX18 4JP
Where to stay nearby: Less than half an hour’s drive from our holiday cottages in Chipping Norton and our Cotswold Lake Lodges.

10 Kiftsgate Court Gardens

© Kiftsgate Court Gardens

The creation of three generations of women gardeners, this 20th century gem is planted to perfection. Set amongst dramatic scenery with views out to the countryside and the Malvern Hills, all the areas of this garden are lovely. There are two magnificent water features, the rose garden, four squares and a terrace and so much more. Don’t miss the bluebell wood, a breathtaking sight in early May. Or why not kill two gardens with one shovel and visit Hidcote too, located just half a mile away? Covid measures include a one way system, and prebooking is not required.
Find out more: Kiftsgate Court Gardens, Chipping Campden GL55 6LN
Where to stay nearby: Our holiday cottages in Chipping Norton are 30 minutes' drive.