Iford Manor Gardens - Travel Trade

About

Tucked away at the bottom of a tranquil valley, just 15 minutes from Bath, a visit to the romantic, award-winning, Grade I listed Iford Manor Garden transports you as the garden design blends Italian, Byzantine, Ancient Roman and Oriental garden inspirations, together with architecture and classical sculpture.

Paths twist and turn around ancient statues, columns, terraces and architecture which, combined with ebullient planting schemes, draw you on in anticipation of the next delight. After each step a new view is revealed, allowing visitors to marvel at the clever nature and beauty of the design. Steeped in history and located on the last hill of the Cotswolds, with the Wiltshire/ Somerset border running through the garden itself, visitors often say a visit to Iford Manor Garden is like stepping into another, timeless world.

Dating back to the Domesday Book, the gardens seen today were largely designed by renowned Edwardian landscape architect Harold Peto, who lived at Iford from 1899 – 1933. Over the past 50 years today's owners, the Cartwright-Hignett family, have lovingly restored the garden and continued to develop it, including finishing the Japanese Garden, extending the woodland walks and redesigning areas of the garden as they age. Head Gardener Steve Lannin is working closely with the family to continue the garden’s journey, ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Regularly providing design inspiration to many, the garden often features in international publications and in film, most recently in The Secret Garden (2020). A visit to Iford Manor Gardens should leave you feeling refreshed, uplifted and inspired. Dogs are welcome. 

Serving locally sourced, homemade food to garden visitors and walkers alike, you may wish to enjoy lunch in the restaurant for a true culinary treat created by Head Chef Matthew Briddon, or pop to the café for a lighter bite from the Iford Café.

Subscribe to their newsletter for updates and visit Iford Manor Gardens website for the latest information, news and events.

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Trade Product Information and Experiences: Pre-booking is essential for all private group visits. Please email info@ifordmanor.co.uk to arrange.

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Free Introductory Welcome for groups

(15 minutes). Suitable for groups who wish to self-guide but would like to have a brief talk on the background and history of the garden at the start of their visit. Standard entry details apply.

Audio guides

Available for self-guided tours in a number of different languages.

Guided Iford Manor Gardens Tour

Available in several languages, uncover the fascinating details of Iford in a tour led by one of the owners, William or Marianne Cartwright-Hignett, or Head Gardener Steve Lannin, tailored specifically for your groups’ interests. Duration: 60 minutes. Tours are available for a maximum of 25 people per tour guide. Tours are available during private visits.

Exclusive Visit to the Walled Garden

Discover the family’s own 1.5-acre private gardens which are not usually open to the public. Characterised by topiary and sculpture created by owner Elizabeth Cartwright-Hignett, including her celebrated shell-grotto. The garden is whimsical and entertaining, offering a contrast to the formality of the main gardens. The working glasshouses, the vegetable garden and the flower cutting garden are also here. Duration: 45 minutes. These visits to the walled garden are available during private visits. Complete your private afternoon visit of the garden with a glass of champagne served in the garden on the Conservatory Terrace where your group can enjoy magnificent views across the garden and the valley.

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Booking Information:

Name of trade contact: Alex Bradbury

Trade email address: info@IfordManor.co.uk

Trade Tel: +44 (0) 1225 863146

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Opening Dates: 1 April – 30 September 2023

PUBLIC OPENING HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday; 11.00 – 16.00 (last entry 15:30)

CLOSED Saturday 6th May for the Coronation 
Cafe: 10am - 4:30pm
Restaurant (lunch only): 11:30am - 3pm

Adults £8.00pp if booked online in advance or £9.50pp if purchased on the day at the ticket office

Concessions (over 60s, students and children over 10 children - under 10s are not permitted into the garden) £7.00pp if booked online in advance or £8.50pp if purchased on the day at the ticket office

PRIVATE GROUP VISITS: Tuesday (09.30 – 17.30) and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (09.30 – 11.30 or 15.45– 17.45)

Trade Prices – Group rates (as of 2023):

Private Group Visits (outside of public opening hours):

Groups of 15 people or more: £12pp

If a group is less than 15 people, the fee is £200 for the whole group.

Includes: FREE welcome introduction (in ENG, SP, IT, FR); coach parking; complimentary entry for guide & driver; and complimentary tea/coffee and a slice of cake for driver.

Optional Extras:

- Guided tour from owner (ENG, FR, SP) or Head Gardener: £100, max 25 people per guided tour (if you have more than 25 guests, you may have 2 tours running concurrently)

- Exclusive visit to the Walled Garden: £75 for the group (no upper limit on group numbers)

- Audio guide - £3pp

- Guide book - £4.00 each

- Refreshments available to pre-book, including an option for a guided tour that ends with champagne.

For Tuesday visits we are able to offer groups of 25 of more guests a delightful 2 course set lunch, created and cooked by our Head Chef Matthew Briddon. Including tea/coffee the lunch costs £27.50 per person. Groups may also choose to add a glass of wine for an additional £5.00 per person.