The Garden

Bourton House Garden opened to the public for the first time on a single Sunday in 1987 in aid of the National Garden Scheme.  Twenty years later, the garden received the prestigious HHA/Christie’s ‘Garden of the Year’ Award, a tribute to the inspiration (and perspiration!) of everyone involved in its creation over the years.

In 1983, Mr & Mrs R Paice became the owners of Bourton House and began the task of turning a neglected wilderness into the perfect garden setting for the courtyard of ancient Cotswold stone buildings.  Over the years, the garden evolved, new projects were planned and new challenges faced.  They were fortunate to have the help of a splendid gardening team, originally headed by Paul Williams followed in 1999 by Paul Nicholls, our current long-serving Head Gardener.

Imaginative topiary was introduced including a knot garden, parterre and topiary walk; natural springs used to create water features; an unusual shade house constructed and ever wider herbaceous borders created to accommodate more exotica.  Today, the garden continues to evolve, constantly surprising visitors with its inspirational planting, stunning colour combinations and rare, unusual and exotic plants.

In 2010, Bourton House Garden came under new ownership but remains open for the enjoyment of garden visitors, many of whom return year after year!

To read some of the comments from our 2012 Visitor’s Book, please read on ….

To visit our Gallery of Garden Photographs, please read on ….

Bourton House Garden is participating in Hudson's Heritage Explorer Pass

Bourton House Garden has once again been the focus of the Japanese TV cameras!  After featuring in a major Japanese TV series and as a location for the book 'Daydream' with top actress and model Yasuko Matsuyuki, Bourton House Garden opened its gates in late September 2012 to a film crew from NHK Japan.  The crew arrived with young presenter and model 'Hanae' to film the garden in its autumn glory; to interview Head Gardener Paul Nicholls and pick up some tips on tools and techniques!  The crew were amazed to find the garden looking so beautiful and so full of colour late in the season.  They were particularly impressed with the massive hanging baskets on the front of the Tithe Barn and the many creatively planted pots and containers that are a feature of the garden in the late summer and autumn.  Paul spent time with 'Hanae' demonstrating the art of planting a container, giving her plenty of ideas to take home to put into effect in her own small patio garden.  The programme was broadcast on 8th October 2012 and will hopefully encourage more Japanese tourists to visit the Cotswolds in 2013.