Almost everyone who visits Britain goes to the Cotswolds, renowned for its charming villages, antique shops, and magnificent gardens. Now, author Victoria Summerley provides an inside tour of some of the area's spectacular estate gardens, most of which are rarely open to the public. In Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds: A Personal Tour of 20 Private Gardens
(Frances Lincoln Ltd, 2015), Summerly explores the historical significance of some of the properties and introduces readers to their owners and designers. Summerly says in the introduction to the book that she wished to record these gardens because it's "a world that's slowly disappearing."
You'll be introduced to Burford Priory, a former monastery (until very recently), now owned by a daughter of media magnate Rupert Murdoch. On the main lawn, a circular labyrinth was cut into the grass by monks, who went there to meditate. There's also a glasshouse, an enormous vegetable garden, and a beautiful front terrace filled with perennials. It's worth reading, because this garden is closed to the public.
Eyeford House, on the other hand, is open to the public two days a year, and legend has it that John Milton was inspired to write part of Paradise Lost while on the grounds. The formal gardens around the house -- classic English style -- were redesigned in the 1970's by the late Graham Stuart Thomas.
All of the gardens profiled here are classicly British ... and with beautiful photos by Hugo Rittson-Thomas, you'll find inspiration for formal design, planting combinations, and yes, for another trip to Britain, carefully planned to catch some of these during the few days annually when most are open.
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