Discover secret gardens and magnificent vistas at Hidcote
Cotswolds

Hidcote Gardens, National Trust

Explore the maze of paved pathways and discover secret gardens, magnificent vistas and plants that burst with colour throughout the gardens at Hidcote. 

Many of the plants found growing in the garden were collected from Johnston’s many plant hunting trips to far away places. It’s the perfect place if you’re in need of gardening inspiration.

Find a quiet spot and sit on one of the ornate benches and watch green woodpeckers search for their lunch or listen to the calls from the buzzards circling overhead. Time it right and you might catch a glimpse of the elusive hummingbird moth.

Meander through the intricate gardens and into the Wilderness. This secluded stretch of tall trees is just right for a picnic. Take a glimpse beyond the boundary and see the garden blend effortlessly into the countryside beyond.

The Monarch’s Way path runs close-by. Follow it for a brief time from the car park and into the chocolate-box Cotswold hamlet of Hidcote Bartrim. You’ll be treated to traditionally thatched stone cottages that were once home to Johnston’s gardeners.

To find out about key visitor information please visit the website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote/features/useful-information

About Hidcote

Hidcote Manor Garden is one of England’s most celebrated gardens. It was designed by the horticulturalist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts and Crafts style and is arranged as a series of outdoor rooms separated by ‘walls’ of various types of plants. Within the garden there are numerous changes of level which contribute to the separation of the rooms. Typical of the Arts and Crafts style, the pathways and steps that run throughout the garden are often narrow and uneven. Surfaces are either gravelled, traditionally paved using Cotswold stone or natural, like grass. It is located in the Cotswolds, high on a hill in a gently undulating landscape with spectacular views across of the Vale of Evesham and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please call 01386 438333 or email hidcote@nationaltrust.org.uk. 

Arrival and Parking

There is parking for 300 cars, 8 coaches and 11 clearly marked Blue Badge parking spaces, which are approximately 50 metres from the main entrance. We have accessible designated Blue Badge parking spaces. These spaces are located on a hardcore/ large gravel surface. The car park surfaces vary between hardcore/ large gravel and natural slightly undulating (grass). As such, the car park spaces are not marked. The route from the car park, beyond visitor reception to the main entrance of the garden is gravelled and paved and crosses a single track road. There is no designated pathway from the car park to the entrance which passes our Visitor Reception.

Visitor Reception

The Visitor reception building is next to the car park. The surface is mainly gravel. There are no steps or ramps. 

Garden

True to its original design, some plants overflow onto the paths. The pathways and steps throughout the garden are often narrow and uneven and can become slippery when wet. Most steps do not have handrails. Wheelchair and mobility scooter users will be able to access about one-third of the garden due to the location of original steps, on the clearly defined route. The surfaces around the garden are a mix of traditional Cotswold stone, pea-gravel, hoggin and natural surfaces like grass. Some natural surfaces also feature tree roots. Some surfaces undulate. There are several ha-ha’s that mark the boundary of the garden. There are approximately 6 benches located around the garden- please take note. 

Please make any enquiries known to the member of the welcome team, in the courtyard, or to passing Duty Managers who will be patrolling the garden. Some garden areas may be closed temporarily as maintenance work is carried out.

Visitor Toilets

Visitor toilets are located in the garden yard and are open to visitors while the property is open. There are separate facilities for baby changing and a disabled access toilet, located on the same side of the building as the ‘female’ toilets.

Winthrop’s Café

The entrance to Winthrop’s Café is located in the garden yard, close to the visitor toilets and shop entrance. The café has step-free access to the servery, conservatory and outdoor terrace. There is a step down into the dining room. Tables in the café and terrace are well spaced apart with a mixture of upright chairs with and without arms. The flooring in the servery and conservatory is tiled with paving on the terrace. The dining room features a wooden parquet floor. We do our best to cater for any dietary requirement. Please contact us in advance to check any specific requests you may have. 

There is wooden furniture in the conservatory and dining room and metal furniture on the terrace. An induction loop system is fitted at the counter.

Shop

There is a shop with a range of souvenirs and books which can be accessed directly from the garden yard when exiting the garden. There is a stone-paved ramp to the entrance and a wooden ramp leading from the exit door. The ramp at the exit is short and has a steep gradient (approximately 1:5 – height 530mm and length 2300mm approximately) The shop and book room are level throughout. There is adequate room within the shop for a wheelchair to manoeuvre and turn although space can be tight on busy days. There are tall display stands and tables accessible from a seated position. There is background music playing throughout the day. Staff can offer assistance if needed. An induction loop system is fitted at the counter.

Additional Information

We have a set of evacuation procedures – should you require it someone will assist you with evacuating the garden. Assistance dogs, including those in training, are welcome in the garden. We work hard to improve access around the garden but sometimes we’re restricted to what we can do by our Grade listing and planning limitations caused by being located in a Conservation Area. We offer a complimentary carer/facilitator ticket policy.

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