National Trust - Hidcote

This unfortunately is not a wheelchair friendly visit, and from what we hear and know, no effort is being made to improve the situation. Hidcote manor was owned by Bradenstoke Priory in Wiltshire, right up to 1539, when King Henry V111 disbanded it. Then in the 17th century the Manor House was turned into a farmhouse, exchanging hands many times until a local farm worker, John Tucker inherited the farm in early 1907. the 1970’s the whole area was mainly agricultural, an attractive scenic area, which encouraged Tucker to put the house and lands up for auction, and advertised in “The Times” on 22nd June 1907 as a “valuable freehold farm comprising 287 acres, with a “very substantial and picturesque farmhouse, with lawns and a large kitchen garden” However, it did not sell at auction in July, but three weeks later, Lawrence Johnston, acting on behalf of his mother, Gertrude Winthrop, purchased the estate for £7,200. He moved into the house in October 1970, and his mother arrived from America in June 1908. Changes appeared quickly, the house being extended to suit their needs, and Lawrence quickly set about working on the gardens, as he had a natural love of plants, and toured South Africa, China and the Alps looking for rare plants, which he bought back to Hidcote, and the estate grew to become a highly regarded collection of national importance, and in the 1920’s and 30’s the garden was opened two or three days each year to help raise money for charity. In 1943, Lawrence, now in his 70’s, approached the National Trust to see if they would take over the gardens, and in 1948 the estate was transferred to the National Trust. ============================================== Let’s take a look around then. PHOTO 1 The car park as far as we could see did not have disabled bays, but it was full, and we just managed to find someone leaving as we pulled in. The bays are big enough to allow space at the boot to get chair out. PHOTO 2 We found the compressed ground a little difficult to push chair along as you head towards the old wooden buildings ahead. PHOTO 3 The sign guides you in, with prices indicated. During 2023 it was £16.00 a person, but if your carer has an official carers card, then they gain free entrance. PHOTO 4 We include a photo of the Accessible details for you to see what is available, such as a map of the garden route, if you can understand it. It shows accessible toilets, and warns of sloping paths, with ramps available where needed, but also reminds you that only one third of the gardens are of use to a disabled person. Is it worth a visit ? Maybe, if you enjoy gardens. We personally will not return. PHOTO 5 You quickly enter the plant shop area. PHOTO 6 and A reasonable selection of plants on sale, but being a gardener ourselves, we thought they could have been better looked after. PHOTO 7 and 8 Disabled toilet was very basic, old wooden shed, just enough room to be of use, with pull cord and grab handles. PHOTO 9 Old buildings provide a bit of interest, with more plants on sale. PHOTO 10 The gate leading towards the old house PHOTO 11 The old house itself, but note the steps. PHOTO 12 An old stone fountain PHOTO 13 Steps needed to get up if you want to see inside house. PHOTOS 14, 15 and 16 House laid out in time period of family living here, interesting enough if you can get up steps. PHOTOS 17 and 18 The old walled garden around the house, with a selection of herbs of note. NOW READ OUR PART SIX REVIEW FOR MORE DETAILS OF THE GARDENS.

A very interesting enough garden, but not at all wheelchair friendly, thus the low marks, however, if you can walk about and climb steps, then the marks would be higher. DO READ OUR REVIEW no 5 FOR HIDCOTE GARDENS FIRST OF ALL FOR A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE GARDENS. =================================================================== After Lawrence Johnston bought the estate at Hidcote, on behalf of his mother, he turned the gardens to become one of the best known arts and crafts gardens in Britain. Taking advantage of the fields they had that surrounded the house, by 1910, he had laid out the gardens in a linked area of garden rooms, with rare trees, box hedges, hornbeam and yew, shrubs and many herbaceous borders. By the 1920’s he had twelve full-time gardeners, his first head gardener, Frank Adams, was appointed in 1922, and this team set about the new project, and Lawrence quickly made a name for himself, and they created these “rooms” into areas known as “white garden” and “fuchsia garden” there are ponds and fountains, various flower beds that surround the late 17th century Manor House. Many gardens will recognise his famous “Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote plant, as well as others they developed., and these gardens still contain many species of national importance, and is today one of the most influential gardens in Britain. ===================================================== We hope our photos will help you enjoy these gardens, but bear in mind, ONLY ONE THIRD OF THE ESTATE ARE SUITABLE FOR DISABLED, but you can see more of the gardens, but they will be distant views across hedges and low walls, there are a few outbuildings you can pop into, but we found we could not get into the greenhouse. At the end of your visit, you could look into their well stocked shops, before heading home.