Iford Manor Gardens - Travel Trade

About

Tucked away at the bottom of a tranquil valley, just 15 minutes from Bath, a visit to the romantic, award-winning, Grade I listed Iford Manor Garden transports you as the garden design blends Italian, Byzantine, Ancient Roman and Oriental garden inspirations, together with architecture and classical sculpture.

Paths twist and turn around ancient statues, columns, terraces and architecture which, combined with ebullient planting schemes, draw you on in anticipation of the next delight. After each step a new view is revealed, allowing visitors to marvel at the clever nature and beauty of the design. Steeped in history and located on the last hill of the Cotswolds, with the Wiltshire/ Somerset border running through the garden itself, visitors often say a visit to Iford Manor Garden is like stepping into another, timeless world.

Dating back to the Domesday Book, the gardens seen today were largely designed by renowned Edwardian landscape architect Harold Peto, who lived at Iford from 1899 – 1933. Over the past 50 years today's owners, the Cartwright-Hignett family, have lovingly restored the garden and continued to develop it, including finishing the Japanese Garden, extending the woodland walks and redesigning areas of the garden as they age. Head Gardener Steve Lannin is working closely with the family to continue the garden’s journey, ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Regularly providing design inspiration to many, the garden often features in international publications and in film, most recently in The Secret Garden (2020). A visit to Iford Manor Gardens should leave you feeling refreshed, uplifted and inspired. Dogs are welcome. 

Serving locally sourced, homemade food to garden visitors and walkers alike, you may wish to enjoy lunch in the restaurant for a true culinary treat created by Head Chef Matthew Briddon, or pop to the café for a lighter bite from the Iford Café.

Subscribe to their newsletter for updates and visit Iford Manor Gardens website for the latest information, news and events.

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Trade Product Information and Experiences: Pre-booking is essential for all private group visits. Please email info@ifordmanor.co.uk to arrange.

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Free Introductory Welcome Group Talk

(15-20 minutes). Suitable for groups who wish to self-guide but would like to have a brief talk on the background and history of the garden at the start of their visit. Standard entry details apply.

Audio guides

Available for self-guided tours in a number of different languages.

Guided Iford Manor Gardens Tour

Available in several languages, uncover the fascinating details of Iford in a tour led by one of the owners, William or Marianne Cartwright-Hignett, or Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith, tailored specifically for your groups’ interests. Duration: 60 minutes. Tours are available for a maximum of 25 people per tour guide. Available during private visits only.

Exclusive Walled Garden Tour

Discover the family’s own 1.5-acre private gardens which are not usually open to the public. Characterised by topiary and sculpture created by owner Elizabeth Cartwright-Hignett, including her celebrated shell-house, the garden is whimsical and entertaining, offering a contrast to the formality of the main gardens. The working glasshouses are also here. Duration: 45 minutes. Available during private visits only. Complete your private afternoon visit of the garden with a glass of champagne served in the garden on the Conservatory Terrace where your group can enjoy magnificent views across the garden and the valley.

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Booking Information:

Name of trade contact: Alex Bradbury

Trade email address: info@IfordManor.co.uk

Trade Tel: +44 (0) 1225 863146

 

Opening Dates: April – September

PUBLIC OPENING HOURS: Wednesday – Saturday; 11.00 – 16.00 (last entry 15:30)

Note that the garden is also open on Sundays 11:00 – 16:00 but for FIT only, not groups.

PRIVATE VISITS: Tuesday (09.30 – 16.00); Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (09.30 – 11.00 or 16:00– 18.00); Saturday (09.30 – 11.00).

 

Private Visits (outside public opening hours)

Groups of 15 people or more

Includes: FREE welcome introduction (in ENG, SP, IT, FR); coach parking; complimentary entry for guide & driver; complimentary refreshments for driver.

Optional Extras:

- Guided tour from owner (ENG, FR, SP) or Head Gardener: max 25 people per guide

- Exclusive Walled Garden Tour: £50 for the group

- Audio guide

- Refreshments, including option for a guided tour with champagne.

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Min group size: 15pax (Smaller groups welcome for private visits, subject to minimum fee)

Languages: Audio guides available in: Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, French and Japanese; Guided tours by the owner available in French and Spanish.

Duration of visit: 60 minutes – 2 hours

Coach Parking: Separate coach entrance and free coach-parking on site. Pre-booking essential.

Suitable for Education / Corporate / Incentive visits: Yes. Please enquire for specific requests.

Additional Information:

Group benefits include free entry for the guide and free entry and refreshments for the driver. Further details regarding group visits can be found HERE Kindly note that the manor house is not open to the public.