Kiftsgate Gardens, in the Cotswolds near Chipping Campden

• 3 miles NE of Chipping Campden, near Hidcote
• open April to September, in the afternoons of Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
• created by three generations of owners
• many unusual plants and shrubs
• a collection of old fashioned and species roses
• in many ways more enjoyable to the gardener than Hidcote
• fine views out over the plain below

Built in 1887 by a Sydney graves Hamilton, Kiftsgate was sold to Mr J B Muir in 1918, and is still owned by their grand-daughter. Mrs Muir planned and planted a garden that was based on contrasting colours and patterns. Roses were a particular passion, with the rose named "Rosa filipes Kiftsgate " of particular note. It grows against a wall and from its planting in 1938, now covers 80ft by 50 ft of wall and is claimed to be the largest rose in England with around 400 flowers in mid July when it blooms

Kiftsgate was opened to the public for the first time in 1971. It is to my mind a nicer garden than Hidcote, though Hidcote will always get more visitors as it is "free" to National Trust members

http://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/

Cotswolds Information Cotswolds Information front page
.
good hotels in the Cotswolds hotels in the Cotswolds