Cotswolds Garden Tour
Discover some of England’s most distinctive Arts & Crafts gardens, from Hidcote Manor Garden and Kiftsgate Court Gardens to Highgrove and Kelmscott Manor.
Enjoy a private guided journey through the gardens, historic estates and landscapes that shaped the Cotswolds’ rich gardening heritage, with an experienced driver and expert guide throughout your journey.
Expert Driver & Guide
Local knowledge that brings every destination to life.
Private Travel Experience
Comfortable touring at your own pace with no groups.
Tailored Itineraries
Every journey personalised to your interests and travel style.
Personal Planning Support
Friendly guidance from your first enquiry through to your final day.
Discover the Gardens of the Cotswolds
Our Cotswolds garden tours explore a remarkable landscape of rolling countryside, honey-coloured villages, historic estates and some of England’s finest Arts & Crafts gardens. This private Cotswolds Garden Tour brings together influential gardens such as Hidcote and Kiftsgate with historic houses, landscapes and gardens associated with the Arts & Crafts movement, revealing the design, architecture and horticultural traditions that have shaped the Cotswolds.
Tour Highlights
Discover Arts & Crafts Heritage
Follow the story of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement that transformed English design and influenced the gardens of the Cotswolds.
Exceptional English Gardens
Visit some of the region’s most distinctive gardens, from formal Arts & Crafts masterpieces to romantic country estates.
Historic Houses & Estates
Discover beautiful manor houses and estates where architecture, craftsmanship and landscape come together.
Highgrove & Iconic Gardens
Explore Highgrove Gardens and other notable gardens associated with the region, subject to availability.
Relaxed Private Touring
Enjoy comfortable private touring with time to appreciate each garden, picturesque village and historic estate without feeling rushed.
Arts & Crafts Gardens of the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are closely associated with the Arts & Crafts tradition of garden design, where formal structure, intimate garden rooms and a close relationship between house, landscape and planting create distinctive and highly individual gardens.
Hidcote Manor Garden
One of England’s most influential gardens, Hidcote is famed for its series of outdoor “rooms”, each with its own character, colour palette and planting style.
Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Set on a hillside with sweeping views, Kiftsgate combines traditional planting with personal creativity, creating vibrant borders, informal planting and a strong sense of place.
Highgrove Gardens
Set on a hillside with sweeping views, Kiftsgate combines traditional planting with personal creativity, creating vibrant borders, informal planting and a strong sense of place.
Suggested Cotswolds Garden Tour Itinerary
Suggested Duration: 4 Days
A relaxed private journey exploring some of the Cotswolds’ most distinctive gardens, historic estates and landscapes, with a particular focus on the region’s Arts & Crafts heritage. This Cotswolds Garden Tour is designed to give you time to appreciate both the gardens themselves and the landscapes and ideas that shaped them.
Day 1: Hidcote & Kiftsgate — Gardens That Changed English Garden Design
Your private journey begins with collection from your London hotel before travelling into the rolling landscapes of the Cotswolds, home to some of England’s most influential gardens.
The first day introduces the ideas that transformed English garden design during the Arts & Crafts era. At Hidcote Manor Garden, Lawrence Johnston created one of the most influential gardens of the twentieth century, pioneering the concept of outdoor “garden rooms” that continue to inspire gardeners around the world. Wander through a sequence of beautifully composed spaces, where structure, planting and carefully framed views combine to create an immersive garden experience.
Later, visit Kiftsgate Court Gardens, a garden that offers a more personal and romantic interpretation of the Arts & Crafts tradition. Set high above the Vale of Evesham, its terraces, borders and sweeping views demonstrate how great gardens can feel both carefully designed and entirely natural. Created and nurtured by generations of women gardeners, Kiftsgate remains one of the Cotswolds’ most beloved garden destinations.
Together, these two gardens provide an introduction to the creativity, design and enduring influence of English garden design.
Day 2: Cotswold Estates — Romance, Craftsmanship & Garden Design
Today’s gardens reveal the softer and more personal side of the English garden tradition, where craftsmanship, planting and a strong sense of place combine to create landscapes of enduring charm.
Begin at Bourton House Garden, one of the Cotswolds’ most distinctive gardens. Set around an historic manor house, its terraces, topiary and herbaceous borders demonstrate the skill and attention to detail that have long characterised English garden design. Carefully structured yet full of seasonal colour, Bourton House offers a wonderful balance between formality and natural beauty.
Later, visit Cerney House Gardens, a hidden gem that captures the romantic spirit of the Cotswolds. Informal borders, old roses and mature planting create an atmosphere that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Rather than grand statements, Cerney delights in subtle beauty, rewarding visitors with quiet corners, rich textures and ever-changing seasonal interest.
Together, these gardens showcase how the principles of craftsmanship, planting and harmony with the landscape continue to shape some of England’s most beautiful gardens today.
Highgrove & Rodmarton — Royal Gardens and the Living Arts & Crafts Tradition
Today explores how the principles that shaped the Arts & Crafts movement continue to influence English gardens, from one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary gardens to one of the movement’s purest surviving expressions.
Begin with a visit to Highgrove Gardens, the private gardens created by King Charles III. Renowned for their horticultural excellence, the gardens reflect a deep commitment to traditional craftsmanship, sustainability and working in harmony with nature. From colourful borders and meadow plantings to beautifully designed garden spaces, Highgrove demonstrates how these enduring values remain relevant today.
After lunch, continue to Rodmarton Manor, one of the finest surviving Arts & Crafts estates in England. Designed and built using traditional methods and local materials, the house and gardens were conceived as a single artistic vision. The gardens combine structure, craftsmanship and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape, embodying the ideals that inspired the Arts & Crafts movement more than a century ago.
Together, Highgrove and Rodmarton reveal how the values of beauty, craftsmanship and respect for nature have continued to shape English gardens across generations.
Day 4: Kelmscott & Miserden — The Heart of the Arts & Crafts Movement
Your final day explores the ideas that inspired the Arts & Crafts movement and continue to influence garden design, craftsmanship and the English country house today.
Begin at Miserden Gardens, one of the Cotswolds’ most elegant hidden estates. Formal terraces, beautifully maintained borders and peaceful woodland walks combine to create a garden that feels perfectly at home within its landscape. Surrounded by rolling countryside and far-reaching views, Miserden captures the quiet beauty for which Cotswold gardens are renowned.
Later, visit Kelmscott Manor, the cherished country home of William Morris, founder of the Arts & Crafts movement. More than simply a house, Kelmscott became a source of inspiration for Morris’s vision of beauty, craftsmanship and harmony between people, buildings and nature. Exploring the manor and its gardens offers a fascinating insight into the ideas that shaped one of Britain’s most influential artistic movements.
Together, Miserden and Kelmscott provide a deeper understanding of the values that underpin many of England’s most admired gardens, bringing your journey through the Cotswolds’ garden heritage to a fitting conclusion.
Following your visit, return to London for your onward journey.
Why Choose MyUKtour?
The Cotswolds is home to some of England’s most beautiful gardens, where historic estates, rolling countryside and timeless design create one of Britain’s finest garden destinations.
- Exceptional Cotswolds Gardens - Our itineraries bring together celebrated gardens and lesser-known favourites, selected for their character, design and place in the story of English gardening.
- Arts & Crafts Heritage - Explore the gardens and places associated with the Arts & Crafts movement, including some of the people and ideas that transformed English garden design.
- Private & Flexible Touring - Travel privately with your own experienced driver and expert guide, enjoying a relaxed pace and flexibility to make the most of each garden and destination.
- Historic Houses & Estates – Stay in historic country houses and experience England beyond the main tourist routes.
- Carefully Selected Country Hotels – Stay in thoughtfully chosen country hotels that complement the character of the Cotswolds and provide a comfortable base for your journey.
- Designed for Garden Lovers – Whether you are passionate about gardens or simply appreciate beautiful places, this tour offers a deeper connection to England.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. While the tour is designed for garden enthusiasts, it also appeals to anyone who enjoys beautiful landscapes, historic houses, architecture and English heritage. The gardens are experienced as part of a broader journey through the Cotswolds' history, culture and countryside, making the tour rewarding for both dedicated gardeners and curious travellers alike.
The Arts & Crafts Movement emerged in Britain during the late nineteenth century as a reaction to industrialisation. It celebrated traditional craftsmanship, natural materials and harmony between buildings, gardens and the landscape. Many of the gardens featured on this tour were inspired by these principles and remain among England's most influential garden designs today.
Highgrove visits are subject to availability and the garden's opening schedule. If Highgrove is unavailable on your preferred dates, we will recommend suitable alternatives of similar quality and interest.
Most garden visits involve leisurely walking on paths, lawns and garden trails. Guests should be comfortable walking moderate distances and standing for periods of time, although the pace can be adapted to suit individual preferences.
Yes. This is a private guided experience designed around your group.
Your tour includes transportation, a dedicated driver and expert guide, collection and drop-off in London, itinerary planning and guiding throughout the journey. Garden admission fees, accommodation and breakfast are typically included. Lunch and dinner costs are not included unless otherwise stated.
The gardens offer interest throughout the year, but most guests choose to travel between April and September when borders, roses and seasonal planting are at their finest. Spring and early summer are particularly popular for garden enthusiasts.
Plan Your Private Cotswolds Gardens Tour
Tell us your preferred travel dates, group size and interests, and we’ll create a personalised Cotswolds Gardens itinerary designed around you.