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Garden Name: Wilton House
Last Modified: 25/01/2011
Garden ID: 0149

pic: 0149_WiltonHouse.jpg

Owner: The Earl of Pembroke
Address:
Wilton
Salisbury

Postcode: SP2 0BJ
County: Wiltshire

tel: 01722 746720
fax: 
website: www.wiltonhouse.com
email: tourism {at} wiltonhouse.com

Features: 


English Heritage Grade:
I

Opening Times:
10th April - 4th Sept; Easter weekend & School Holidays inclusive; 11am - 5pm, last admission 4.30pm
Sept. open at weekends only
Grounds closed 24th - 31st May inclusive.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring, June, August, September

To see: 
Bulbs, Roses, Herbaceous Border and Water Garden

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: but only for groups; no appointment needed for individuals. 

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: 22nd Apr - 1st Sept & 4th Sept, Sun - Thurs & BHs. 11.30am - 4.30pm. Last admission 3.45pm
Dining Room; 30th Apr - 2nd May, 3rd July - 4th Aug and 27th - 29th Aug; Sun - Thurs

Admission Prices:
Grounds & Exhibition area: Adult £5.50; Child £4 (5-15); Family (2A + 2C) £16.50. Annual membership available.
House & Grounds: Adult £14; Child £7.50 (5-15), Over 60s £11.25; Family £34
Carers free
Annual membership available

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Service dogs only. Plants for sale at adjacent Garden Centre
Dining Room - Winner of Sotheby's/ HHA award 2010


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
In an idyllic setting, the gardens are a mix of small formal gardens and open parkland with an interesting collection of trees, especially along the woodland walk. The North Forecourt Gardens, planted in 1971, comprise a rectangle of pleached limes outlining a parterre of clipped box and surrounding a central fountain. A walk alongside the River Nadder from the Palladian bridge leads one past the Victorian boathouse, Egyptian column and loggia and continues around the woodland walk before returning via the Water Garden, a series of linking ponds with aquatic and marginal plantings and oriental style bridges. The tour concludes in The English Rose Garden in which a large collection of old fashioned species can be admired.

Entry to the house is required to see the Inner Courtyard which was transformed in 1995 from a plain gravel area by the creation of a new formal garden, only visible from inside the house. Introduced in 2001 were the Laburnum Arch and the Millennium Water Feature, the latter designed by world famous sculptor William Pye. The Inner Courtyard also contains an interesting knot garden. New features planned for 2005 include a physic garden and a "mis-maze".


History: 
In the 17th century, the 4th Earl of Pembroke commissioned Isaac De Caus to create a formal garden similar to the layout of the Venetian gardens of the period. During the 18th and 19th centuries much was changed to reflect the fashions of the times. In the 1820's Countess Worenzov (2nd wife of 11th Earl) set out a flower garden in the new fashionable Italianate style - designed by Sir Richard Westmacott. This garden may be viewed by groups with prior permission only.

Many early features were removed or simplified subsequently due to the high cost of labour and the effect of two World Wars. Henry Herbert, 17th Earl of Pembroke, a keen gardener, created several new gardens since 1970.

Local Inns: 


Accomodation: 
Pembroke Arms - Wilton

Restaurants: 
All other hotels and restaurants in Salisbury

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Salisbury