If you want a change from the conventional gardens, Westbury Court Garden, Gloucestershire is definitely worth a visit. A small garden in the scenic Severn Valley of Gloucestershire is a rare example of 17th-century Dutch-inspired landscape design. Westbury Court Garden is one of the few remaining Dutch water gardens in the UK, making it a unique and great place to visit.
History Behind the Garden
Westbury Court Garden was originally laid out between 1696 and 1705 by Maynard Colchester. Colchester was a prominent local landowner who sought to bring the elegance of Dutch garden design to the English countryside.
What makes Westbury Gardens so striking, and perhaps unusual today is the garden’s layout, which is characterized by its symmetrical parterres, long canals, and formal lawns that reflect the influence of the Dutch style, which was highly fashionable at the time.
Garden design, like any other form of design, follows trends. Nowadays, most clients don’t ask our designers for parterre structures; instead, there’s a preference for a more natural style of planting. But it was great to look around this garden and grow my appreciation for this type of planting and design.
What Does Dutch Planting Mean?
The Dutch classical garden style emerged in the Netherlands in the early 17th century, showcasing a unique Dutch take on the Vitruvian-Albertian principles of symmetry and harmonious proportions. During this period, the Dutch canal garden also gained popularity, characterized by its distinctive design enclosed by canals and rows of trees. This approach requires a lot of maintenance, and we noticed that the plants are spaced apart, with visible gaps that reveal the soil in between.
The Canals at Westbury Court
The garden’s most distinctive feature is its canal, which stretches along its entire length, lined with rows of clipped yew trees and vibrant borders that bloom year-round. The reflective waters of the canal create a stunning visual effect and are home to koi carp that visitors can feed – but be sure to keep your dog on a lead, as ours tried to take an impromptu swim!
Restoration and Revival
By the 1960s, Westbury Court Garden had fallen into disrepair, and much of its original charm was lost. However, in 1967, the garden was saved by the National Trust, which undertook a meticulous restoration project to return the garden to its former glory. Using contemporary illustrations and historical documents, the Trust recreated the garden’s layout and planting schemes, carefully reviving its 17th-century features.
I found this place wonderful to visit because they’ve preserved the original planting, staying true to what would have been typical in the 17th century.
Today, visitors can experience the garden much as it would have appeared over 300 years ago, which makes this garden unique. The brick summerhouse, complete with its original oak roof, offers a glimpse into the leisurely pursuits of garden visitors in the past, while the ornamental vegetable garden showcases a variety of heritage vegetables that would have been grown in the late 17th century. We were very impressed with the vegetable garden, because of how well it is maintained.
Highlights of the Garden
The Pavilion at the far end of the canal, offers a picturesque spot to pause and take in the beauty of the garden. With its ornate brickwork and traditional design, it serves as a reminder of the garden’s historic origins.
The Orchard and Vegetable Garden: These areas highlight the practical side of the garden, where fruit trees and vegetables are grown in traditional styles. The orchard is planted with heritage varieties of apples and pears, while the vegetable garden is laid out in a formal pattern reminiscent of 17th-century kitchen gardens.
The Parterre: A beautifully designed parterre lies at the heart of the garden, featuring intricate patterns of clipped hedges and vibrant flower beds. The parterre is a testament to the artistry of garden design in the 17th century and is maintained to reflect the garden’s historic roots. There is some wonderful unusual plants which they had a ‘look out for’ board.
Visiting Westbury Court Gardens
To get into the garden, practicality-wise, it was a good thing we got there early because the car parking is very limited.
The Entrance Prices:
Whole property
Ticket type Gift aid Standard
Adult £9.90 £9.00
Child £5.00 £4.50
Family £24.80 £22.50
1 adult, 3 children £14.90 £13.50
Overall, Westbury Court Garden, Gloucestershire is a fantastic destination for those who love gardening and history. It’s remarkable that the National Trust has been able to restore and maintain this 17th-century design, preserving its charm for visitors to enjoy.
Get in contact if you want to discuss planting in your own garden!
