On our recent staycation, I needed a stop-off location. Somewhere to park up, stretch our legs and enjoy one of the wonders the National Trust is preserving. The historic Westbury Court Gardens in Gloucestershire is a rare but beautiful Dutch water garden.
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Westbury Court Garden History
The Dutch-style garden was initially laid out in the 17th Century by Maynard Colchester. He designed the Long Canal, Tall Pavilion, Circular Pond and the framework of the walls. Thousands of yew trees and holly bushes were planted.
As well as being visually stunning, it was also designed to be productive. Flowers such as tulips and hyacinths were planted alongside vegetables and fruit trees. The canals were stocked with fish. Plus, a warren (a network of interconnecting burrows) to supply rabbit meat. This still exists today.
In the late 18th Century, the formal gardens were out of fashion. The Colchester family demolished the house and moved to the Forest of Dean. The garden remained but faced destruction in 1960. Developers planned to build homes on the land, but the local council purchased the garden.
The National Trust purchased a portion of the land in 1967, aided by an anonymous donation. The garden was in a poor state, and work began to restore it to its original design. This is what can now be seen if you visit.
What can you see and do in the small walled garden?
– Stroll around
The garden consists of two long canals. Follow the one-way system, and you won’t miss a thing. Behind the formal garden is a lawn with an oak tree – which is supposed to be the oldest in Britain.
– Feed the fish
At the ticket office, we were offered a bag of fish food. Even as we approached the edge of the water, the fish knew they were in for a treat. Giant Koi Carp scrambled for the pellets, hungry for their dinner. It was an entertaining sight.
– Enjoy the wildlife
You may be lucky to spot a rabbit or two. There were many different coloured birds, but not being a twitcher, I couldn’t tell you what they were. Our dog, Ivan, was very intrigued by the dragonflies and the ducks.
– See what’s growing
Even today, the garden is used to grow flowers and vegetables. On our visit, we saw rows of cabbages, garlic, spring onions – to name only a few. All of the plants have labels on, to inform you what is growing.
– Summer house
In the summer house is a collection of old prints. It also has the engraving of Westbury Court, which was used by the National Trust in their restoration. The viewing room offers spectacular views of the tranquil estate.
– Pavilion
In the corner of the garden is a red brick pavilion. It is an informal room for guests to look over the canals and across the garden.
– Take a picnic
There are plenty of tables and benches if you wanted to take a picnic. Instead, we went to The Lyon Inn, which is a 5-minute walk from the car park. Dogs are welcome, and the burgers were top notch.
Is Westbury Court Gardens dog-friendly?
🐾 Dogs are more than welcome to visit but must be kept on a short lead. 🐾
National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays offer a selection of holiday cottages, campsites and bunkhouses set in spectacular locations. Sleeping 2 – 12 guests, they have everything you need for a night away, from kitchen facilities to cosy gardens to relax in during warmer weather.
Church of St Mary, St Peter and St Paul
Next door to the gardens is the large Church of St Mary, St Peter and St Paul. In fact, it is the length of two cricket pitches. The church dates from around 1300. It has a 150-foot spire that was added in the 14th Century, and it is made entirely of wood. A few yards away from the main building is a stone tower containing six bells.
The church has a lot of history. The nave is filled with Elizabethan pews. Cromwell’s soldiers stabled their horses here at one point during the Civil War. It was damaged by storms in the 17th Century and was repaired by using wood from cider casks. A mechanical clock was also added in 1720.
Where is Westbury Court Garden?
You can find the Westbury garden rooms in Westbury on Severn in Gloucester, England. Its postcode is GL14 1PD. There is a small car park at the end of a driveway, right next to the entrance. You will pass Westbury Court Nursing Home, which is on the right-hand side. It is just over 50 miles from Cardiff and took us an hour to get there.
Opening times and how to book
Pre-booking your timed entrance ticket is essential. You can visit from mid-March to late October, Wednesday to Sunday between 10am-5pm.
Westbury Court Gardens entry fee is £8 per adult, £4 pr child and £20 for a family. Parking is also free. National Trust members get free entry. For our couple’s membership, we pay £10 per month. As well as free admission to their portfolio, you also get free parking. I’d highly recommend purchasing one. If you do sign up, don’t forget to go via TopCashBack.
More information about Westbury Gardens on their website. See what others are saying about their visit on Westbury Court Garden TripAdvisor.
Where to stay
There are camping and glamping sites, caravan parks, guest houses, inns, homestays and bed and breakfasts. National Trust Holiday cottages sleep 2-15 guests; they have everything you could possibly need, including gardens to relax in during warmer evenings.
National Trust Vs English Heritage
If you are weighing up getting a National Trust Membership or English Heritage Membership, I’ve done the leg work for you. If you want to explore more historical sites, you might be wondering which is better? Here’s all you need to know.
English Heritage Deals: Get 15% off gift and annual memberships by using the promo code EHAFF2024 at the checkout. It is valid until 31 December 2024. Making a single membership £58.65 per year and a couple’s membership £102. Get yours here.
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