A visit to Kiftsgate

I first visited Kiftsgate Court Gardens near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire in 2018 and always vowed to visit again, which we did at the end of August. This magnificent Manor House is located opposite Hidcote Manor (owned by the National Trust), so in a day you can visit both beautiful gardens.

Kiftsgate was originally bought by Heather Muir and her husband in 1920. She designed the garden, advised and influenced by her friend Lawrence Johnson who designed the famous Hidcote. Heather Muir’s daughter Diany Binny became the next custodian, and it is now run by her daughter Ann Chambers and husband Johnny who are very hands on and always present in the garden.

Kiftsgate is famous for the giant white Kiftsgate rose (Rosa filipes ‘Kiftsgate’) which clambers through a beech tree reaching a height of 80 feet, but is kept in check by the owners lest it overwhelms the tree. Not one for a London garden although I do know of two people in Greenwich who grew it. Kiftsgate is famous for its roses but this year we missed the best flowering time and think maybe some new roses replace the originals. 

The house and gardens setting is above a hillside which has been excavated by the owners and is one of the most beautiful sights you can imagine with a pond at the bottom and views over the Cotswold countryside. In front of the house are four squares beautifully planted and fronted by a lawn and wide flower borders.

Beautiful plants abound and we fell in love with a huge bed of a mauve phlox which looked to be a very old variety and the name probably lost to posterity. 

There’s a lovely white sunk garden, a rose border, a wild garden and some magnificent Scotch firs. Everything is fronted with huge beautifully planted pots and stunning colours. We wound our way down the steep bank… a bit of a feat in itself… to the huge pond and lower garden with the beautiful view. In addition the Chambers converted the old tennis courts into a large modern ornamental pond much to the chagrin of Diany Binny while she was still alive!

There are plants for sale and a pleasant tearoom. If you are ever in the vicinity I can’t recommend this garden highly enough – you will be  in for a real treat. 

Pat K