Cumnor Gardening Club

The Courts Garden

Cumnor Gardening Club’s last outing of 2022 was to two very different gardens in the Bradford-on-Avon area.  Our first stop was The Courts Garden, where we were given an introductory talk by a member of staff.  It was difficult to believe that this fine English country garden was an industrial site until George Hastings created it in 1902.  Although nothing of the woollen mill remains, the borders, paths and other garden features follow the lines of the mill foundations.  The garden is full of variety, with lots of different areas and “rooms”.  There are peaceful water gardens, lawns, herbaceous borders, organically shaped topiary, two arboretums, an orchard and small kitchen garden. In late summer there was still plenty of colour, particularly yellows, golds and dark reds, and there were many pleasant vistas across the lawns and beds.  Although the café was closed, members found a very good alternative very close to the Garden.

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Iford Manor Garden

We then visited the garden of Iford Manor, a short drive away, where we were given a talk on the history and development of the house and garden by the present owner, William Cartwright-Hignett. This Grade 1 registered garden is unlike any other with its romantic design and architecture.  It is set on a hillside and combines formality with magnificent views across an unspoilt valley, whilst beautifully-framed architecture and statuary are interspersed throughout the garden. As with The Courts Garden, its origins were in the wool industry.  It was gentrified by the Georgians, and then transformed by Harold Peto who lived at Iford from 1899-1033.  He added Italianate structures, terraces, a cloister and a series of intricate and winding paths around the hillside.  Peto struck a careful balance between formal and informal gardening, between soft planting and hard structure, much appreciated by many gardeners since.  There was still colour in the garden, including some late-flowering wisteria, and its hillside location meant there were splendid backdrops for the different part of the garden. Tea and some very fine cakes were taken in the splendid new restaurant and tearoom.

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