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Westbury Court Garden, Gloucestershire

Westbury Court is a unique Dutch style formal garden dating to between 1697 and 1715. The garden has survived in continual use without stylistic change since it was first created, and is now one of very few original early eighteenth century formal gardens to remain. Westbury Court also represents the first serious attempt to save an historic garden, as opposed to an historic house in its setting. In 1967 the garden in a state of disrepair was rescued by the National Trust, and has been restored to its appearance of around 1720.

Walking in Westbury Garden the world of 1720 surrounds you completely. The influence of 1688's Glorious Revolution, is clear. This was the time when James II was clumsily deposed by Parliament, and Dutch aristocrat William of Orange invited to take over. All things Dutch became fashionable. The garden was built in a continental style dominated by straight lines and clipped hedges. Soon this would change. Into the nineteenth century old certainties would begin to loosen, and gardens in England would lose their straight lines and become more natural in appearance. Capability Brown landscapes swept away virtually every other formal garden. Somehow Westbury Court was left alone, to provide an insight into a different age with a different view of the world.

 

 

 

 

There is a picnic area. At certain times of the year garden grown produce is available to buy. All fruit grown at Westbury represents old varieties that would have been grown in the seventeenth century garden.

Address: Westbury Court Garden, Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire GL14 1PD.

Directions: Westbury Court is just off the A48 in Gloucestershire, between Gloucester and Chepstow. Click here for an interactive map centred on Westbury Court Garden.

Opening Times: 1st July to 31st August, open daily 10am - 5pm.

9th March to 30th June and from 1st September to 30th October, open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm.

Also open bank holiday Mondays.

Access: The gardens are largely wheelchair accessible. There is a Braille guide.

 

Contact:

telephone: 01452 760461

e-mail: westburycourt@nationaltrust.org.uk

web site: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-westburycourtgarden/

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