We are lucky enough to have some lovely gardens and nurseries nearby and the following are just some of our recommendations for any garden and plant loving guests:

Inspiring Gardens and Hidden Gems

Just 10 minutes from Lorne House is Great Chalfield Manor which offers an ever-evolving romantic garden with an orchard, pond, unique yew houses and a variety of flowers, plants, colours and styles. The 15th Century Manor House is a favourite location for period films.

Another personal favourite is the unbelievably fabulous Grade 1 listed garden at Iford Manor. Set in 2.5 acres, this Italianate garden designed by former owner, Harold Peto, is tucked away at the bottom of a tranquil valley and features  columns, terraces and architecture surrounded by ebullient planting schemes and beautiful views.

Reputed to be one of the best gardens in Wiltshire are The Court Gardens in nearby Holt. Created in the early 1900’s, and based on the Hidcote model, the gardens feature  seven acres of topiary, hedges, pools and plants typical of Arts and Crafts style gardens.

If it’s Capability Brown landscapes that take your fancy then do visit Bath’s Prior Park Landscape Garden  Whilst it is not known how much Capability Brown contributed to its design, the garden offers all the hallmarks of the famous landscape designer including one of only four Palladian Bridges to be found in England.  As a refuge from the city bustle, Bath also offers nine acres of Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park. Dating back to 1887, the gardens offer herbaceous borders, an aerial walkway, a Roman Temple, ponds and streams.

For a Royal experience, we are a little over half an hour away from Highgrove, the Price of Wales’ wonderful Tetbury home.  The famous Highgrove Gardens are open to the public but please note that all visits must be booked in advance.   Just two and a half miles from Highgrove, the National Arboretum at Westonbirt offers fabulous walking through beautiful woodland and canopies and is especially beautiful during the Spring and Autumn.

Plant Nurseries

Box has its own little Secret Nursery, just a 10 minute walk from Lorne House. Specialising in perennials and annuals it also offers a small selection of shrubs and trees.  Serious gardeners may have come across Derry Watkins, a plant collector and author.  Her nursery Special Plants  at Cold Ashton offers a wide range of herbaceous plants including some unusual ones that she’s picked up on her travels. Derry’s own amazing garden is open to the public one day a week  (check her website for details) and she also offers gardening courses onsite, which must be prebooked.  Downside Nurseries close to Bradford on Avon is another local favourite, and definitely earns its reputation as “the gardeners’ nursery.” Finally, the excellent  Lowden Garden Centre in nearby Shaw offers a wide range of plants and gardening accessories and has a small restaurant and farm shop on site.

Lorne House Garden

Whilst we certainly can’t compete with the gardens listed above, we are keen gardeners ourselves and try to maintain an array of plants and pleasant garden views for our guests throughout the seasons.  A particular obsession is the Primula Auricula and our small Auricula Theatre on the wall by the back door will showcase some of these beautiful blooms in spring and early summer.

BOOK DIRECT with us for our best prices – and if you would like further information on any of the recommendations above or regarding other activities or places to visit locally, please don’t hesitate to contact us