Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds

by Victoria Summerley, Hugo Rittson Thomas (Photographer)

A captivating portrait of 20 of the greatest British gardens and the lords, ladies and gardeners who own and manage them.

Focusing on the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, this stunning book features gardens designed by some of the leading contemporary garden designers from across the world.

This beautiful corner of England has a rich tradition of garden making, which is explored in this very personal view by photographer Hugo Rittson-Thomas and journalist Victoria Summerley , both residents of this green pocket with more than its fair share of beautiful and interesting gardens.

The Abbotswood, Ablington Manor, Asthall Manor, Bourton House, Burford Priory, Colesbourne Park, Cornwell Manor, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Daylesford House, Dean Manor, Eastleach House, Eyford House, Kingham Hill House, Rockcliffe, Sarsden, Sezincote, Stowell Park, Upton Wold, Walcot House, and Westwell Manor.

Some of the gardens are strictly private , while others are regularly open to visitors , but all can now be savoured and enjoyed along with those who know them best.

Tour even more magnificent English gardens with Secret Gardens of East Angli a and Secret Gardens of Somerset .

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

144 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2015

About the author

Victoria Summerley is an award-winning garden journalist and former editor of The Independent newspaper in the UK.

She lives in Bibury, Gloucestershire, the village once described by William Morris as 'the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds'

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have an affinity for the Cotswolds, a place I've never visited but swooned over many times, you'll no doubt be transported by this book. The storybook pictures of this area have enchanted me for years but this book goes beyond the quaint villages and cottages and gives us an in-depth look at twenty special estate gardens, double swoon-worthy for a garden lover. It's amazing that the gardens are in existence ~ thank goodness for money and owners that share a passion for them. Estates that once employed multiple gardeners now maintain the upkeep with a skeleton crew which often includes labor from the owners themselves. True dedication!

No matter how many garden tours I take, they can't hold a candle to English gardens. At least in my humble opinion. The Old World patina that coats the walled gardens, structures and statuary has a charm impossible to duplicate (well, maybe give us a few hundred more years.) I never tire of viewing a lovely, lush garden design and there are many within these pages. It was shocking in the midst of reading to turn the page and find a wild animal park in the midst of the Cotswolds. I had to do a double take about what I was actually reading! Who knew?!

Fabulous that the owners (most of them) open their gardens regularly for touring. I guess that makes them not so secret (as the title implies??) I could happily spend every weekend visiting one after another then go back & start over again.

Happy I added this one to my collection of garden books.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just my sort of book - lovely photos to capture the gardens surrounding historic houses. I also loved the sections on owners as I always wonder how people come to afford these properties and the maintenance. All these types of books could be improved by including a garden plan to better understand relationships between sections!

[Elizabeth Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography. Includes a map and information on openings to the public

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - can’t wait to visit the Cotswolds one day!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs along with descriptions of 20 private gardens in the Cotswolds. I would love to visit some of these gorgeous gardens. Many of them are only open 1 or 2 days a year.