Hidcote Manor Gardens and Kifsgate Gardens 
2 Miles from Folly Farm Cottage.

The twisting lanes of the Cotswold countryside lead visitors to one of the most inventive and influential gardens of the twentieth century. A stunning series of smaller gardens make this an ideal visit at any time of the year.

An al-fresco tea bar, waitress service restaurant, gift shop and plant centre will complete your visit. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote 
Tel. 01386 438333 

Kiftsgate Court Gardens 

Privately owned with outstanding views, their entrance is adjacent to Hidcote Garden drive.

The garden is the creation of women gardeners, started in 1920 by Heather Muir continued on by Diany Binny from 1950 and now looked after by Ann Chambers (daughter of Diany) and family.

Kiftsgate is a series of interconnecting gardens each with its distinct character and secrets. Let them share their secrets with you
www.kiftsgate.co.uk

Tel. 01386 438777

Snowshill Lavender. 
20 minute drive.

The Lavender fields in the heart of the Cotswolds. Lavender products, plants on sale. 
Tea room with home made cakes and lunch available. Food recommended, good value for money.

www.snowshill-lavender.co.uk

10.00 am to 4.30 pm. Tel. 01386 8454821

Spetchley Park Gardens
Approx. 45mins drive from Folly Farm Cottage

The Gardens at Spetchley are amongst the finest in the country Set in lovely countryside 3 miles east of Worcester on the A422 they extend over 30 acres and include many rare trees, shrubs and plants of interest both to the professional and amateur gardener.

This lovely garden is owned by Mr & Mrs John Berkeley whose other home is the historic 12th Century Berkley Castle in Gloucestershire. 

Spetchley has belonged to the Berkeley family since 1605, but the greatest extension to the garden took place at the turn of this century when Mr. Berkeley's grandmother, Rose Berkeley, assisted by her sister, that great Edwardian gardener Miss Ellen Willmott of Warley Place in Essex, enlarged and enhanced the garden. 

At Spetchley you will find most aspects of gardening, the formal and informal, woodland and herbaceous. A garden full of secrets every corner reveals some new vista, some new treasure of the plant world,
whether it be tree, shrub or plant. The exuberant planting, the peaceful walks make this an oasis of peace and quiet.

You will find a vast collection of plants, many of which are rarely found outside the major botanical gardens, and the visitor will find much of interest throughout the spring and summer. "Truly a plants man's paradise". Tea room with home made cakes.
www.spetchleygardens.co.uk

Tel No 01905 345213/224 

The National Herb Centre
Approx 40 minutes from Folly Farm Cottage.  

The National Herb Centre is home to the only UK Research and Development station solely devoted to investigating sustainable medical herb production in the uk.

The Plant Centre has over 500 varieties of herb plants available which will delight the chef, intrigue the gardener and fascinate anyone with an interest in alternative medicine.

The adjoining Herb farm is under the same management as the Centre and every effort is made to encourage and develop wild flora and fauna. Special walks around some of the fields and the woods have been developed for your enjoyment. Day and evening tours can be made by appointment. For a current programme of events contact the centre. Plant centre, shop, bistro & cafe. Open 7 days week 9-5-30pm 
www.herbcentre.co.uk

Tel 01295 690999

Batsford Arboretum  
20 min's from Folly Farm Cottage.

The Batsford Arboretum was originally planted in the late 1880s as an oriental "wild garden" by Algernon Mitford, the 1st Lord Redsdale.

Amongst the vast collection of exotic trees, he built the Japanese rest house, introduced the Buddha, created the stream, complete with its rock pools and rockeries, and mass planted many groups of different bamboos.

Batsford Arboretum is today an internationally important collection of trees and shrubs visited and enjoyed by many thousands of people each year who come to see the beautiful spring displays and spectacular autumn colours. Plant and aquatic sales, garden ornaments and tea room. 

www.batsarb.co.uk
Tel: 01608 650722. Open daily 10 am to 5pm 1st March to Nov.

Westonbirt Arboretum OAY
Approx 1 hour from Folly Farm Cottage.

Westonbirt Arboretum is a wonderful world of trees.  There are 18,000 of them from all over the world planted from 1829 to the present day, producing 600 acres of beautifully landscaped Cotswold countryside.

Visitors can wander where they please along 17 miles of way marked trails or simply sit inn a leafy glade and admire some of the tallest, oldest and indeed the rarest trees and shrubs of their kind in the world.

Birds badgers and deer can be glimpsed from time to time amidst a wealth of shrubs and flowers. 

Gift Shop, plant centre and restaurant. Open daily from 10-5pm

Tel. 01666 880220. 

See also:- Plant Centres

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