************* Garden Owners, Please copy this information and paste it into an email to: wb [at] armchair-travel [dot] com Please make any changes in BRIGHT RED in your email back to us. Regards, Armchair Travel Co Ltd http://www.armchair-travel.com ************* Garden Name: Westbury Court Garden Last Modified: 19/01/2011 Garden ID: 0403 pic: 0403_Westbury.jpg Owner: National Trust Address: Westbury-on-Severn Postcode: GL14 1PD County: Gloucestershire tel: 01452-760461 fax: 01452-760401 website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk email: Jerry.Green {at} nationaltrust.org.uk Features: Dutch water garden - a rare and beautiful survival; Only restored Dutch water garden in the country; Reputedly home to England's oldest evergreen oak; Many other 16th and 17th-century trees and shrubs English Heritage Grade: II* Opening Times: 9th Mar - 30th June; Wed - Sun; 10 am - 5pm 1st Jul - 31st Aug; daily; 10am - 5pm 1st Sep - 30th Oct; Wed - Sun; 10am - 5pm Open daily in July & Aug Open BH Mons. Open other times of year by appointment. Last admission 30mins before closing Best Times of Year to Visit: March - April May - June August Sept - Oct. To see: Daffodils and early bulbs Blossom of old varieties of Apple, plum and pear. Largest tulip tree in flower Waterlilies and fruit. National Collection: National Garden Scheme days: Yes Comments: 12th Sept Parties / Coaches: Yes Comments: Viewing by Appointment: Yes Comments: House Open for Viewing: No Comments: Admission Prices: Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets): Adult £5.20 (£4.70), child £2.55 (£2.30), family £13.30 (£12) Parking: Yes Lavatories: Yes Disabled Access: Yes Shop: Yes Plants for Sale: Yes Lunches: No Teas: Yes Refreshments: No Picnics: Yes Dogs allowed: No Only on Lead: Yes Events: Yes Other Facilities: Tea from machine. Braile Guide. Guided Tours on request. Evening Tour with the Head Gardener. incl. cream tea 13th May, 17th June, 12th Aug. NT members £5.50, Non NT £8.50 Tel to book Easter Trail. 10th to 13th April Apple Day 17th & 18th October Designer: Description of Garden: A remarkable restoration by the National Trust has re-created this original Dutch water garden, the only one to survive the era of naturalistic landscaping by the likes of Repton and 'Capability' Brown. Although the exotic varieties of tulips from the famous age of 'tulipomania' are no longer extant, Westbury Court is planted exclusively with species of plants available before 1700. The long canal was the first feature to be created by Maynard Colchester in 1696. Near it the parterre in box with its conical and ball shaped topiary contained within yew hedges, some of which also sport cones, provides a formal and graceful surround to the Tall Pavilion. Many old varieties of apple and plum trees are espaliered here as well as peaches, apricots and cherries and round them are planted daffodils, anemones, muscari and ranunculus. There is a small walled garden growing a collection of perennials of the 17th century. Two magnificent trees, a Tulip tree and Holm Oak, probably dating from before Maynard Colchester's time, dominate the formal garden, the oak in particular being one of the largest and oldest in the country. Views of the neighbouring countryside are limited to those through two ironwork grilles in the North Wall, contributing to the intimate atmosphere of the garden. The vegetable plots have been recreated to grow fruit and vegetable varieties from the 17th century. History: Laid out between 1696-1715 by Maynard Colchester, and possibly influenced by his Dutch neighbour, Catherine Boevey of Flaxley Abbey, its further development was carried in the hands of his nephew, also named Maynard Colchester. The garden came to National Trust in 1967 in a very sorry state and it became their first garden restoration, starting in 1971. Local Inns: Red Lion, Westbury-on-Severn Red Hart Inn, Blaisdon Red Hart Inn, Awre Accomodation: Victoria Hotel, Newnham Red Lion, Westbury Restaurants: Red Hart Inn, Blaisdon Village/Town/Sightseeing: 12th C. Church and Bell Tower. Public footpath to River Severn.