Garden Finder > England > Wiltshire > Abbey House Gardens

Last updated on 03 November 08

Abbey House Gardens

  4.7/5 (3 ratings)
  • Abbey House Gardens, Wiltshire Photograph © Abbey House Gardens
  • Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury Photograph © Abbey House Gardens

Gardenvisit Editorial

A sixteenth century house with a 5 acre garden in the centre of Malmesbury. The garden has been developed by the Pollards, who bought Abbey House in 1994. There is a Knot Garden with a well, laburnum tunnel and extensive collections of roses and herbs.

Head Gardener's Comment

A garden of great diversity. Up to date but on an ancient hill. Bold, atmospheric, romantic, soothing yet inspiring and containing more plants than many botanic gardens. We've created it all from nothing in ten years but visitors say it looks like it's been here for ever.

Good soil with a huge range of micro-climates.....what more could a gardener want? A feast for the eyes in any season and planted to maximise the interest for visitors whether on legs or with wings! Why not come and see for yourself? We can arrange guided tours for groups by appointment or even arrange a talk on the garden's development either here or at a group venue. Please enquire 01666 827650

History

The site once formed part of a Benedictine Monastery the remnants of which now function as Malmesbury's Parish Church next door. The Abbot's Garden was bought after the Dissolution by a wealthy clothier, William Stumpe and a late Tudor mansion built from former Abbey stones. A very varied history of decline and rebuild over the following centuries included a period as a Governor's residence during the English Civil War. Divided up at some stages and brought back together at others, the property was again empty and neglected when the present occupiers bought it in 1994 since when the glorious gardens have been planted up and opened to the public to world class acclaim.

Plants of Note

150,000 tulips giving a peak display between mid- late April

2000 varieties and species of rose in flower from early June onwards. Rosa Banksia lutea - late May, & Banksia alba (double) - June

Rosa Bracteata McCartney - late July

Hellebores, Heather, Narcissi - Spring

Herbs in an unique circular raised bed setting - May onwards

Auricula theatre set in a bank - May

Laburnum walk - late May

Cissus Striata - evergreen

Fuchsia- August

Specimen trees and shrubs, especially acer - all season but especially spring and autumn

Sophora's Sun King and tetraptera

Mulberry Tree

Exotics - planted out June onwards.

Container Brugmansia several good specimens particularly the variegated variety on show from early June

Address - The Abbey House, Market Cross, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, SN16 9AS
Opening times - March 21 to October 31. Daily. Open 11am to 5:30pm.
Admission - Adults £6.50 Concessions £5.75 Children 5 - 15 yrs £3.00 Under 5s FREE Family £16 Groups (min 20) £5.50
Website - Visit the Abbey House Gardens website

Nearby Gardens

Gardens within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Nearby Garden Nurseries

Garden Nurseries within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.


Recent Reviews

  • 3 months ago Adam Hodge said

    What an unusual place. For me 'intense' summarizes it best !
    The owners have embarked on a generous task of growing a huge range of labelled plants, almost like a botanical garden, but with style appropriate to the lovely house. The various areas are all richly furnished with lots of everything.Perhaps a place more for horticultural discovery more than relaxation.
    Once the relabelling is complete,a herculean task in itself, I will be back !

    (4.0/5)
  • 7 months ago Pete and Chuan said

    My wife and I rarely visit gardens, but had passed by the entrance to Abbey House so many times we thought we would pop in.

    The gardens were beautiful, one of the most uplifting we've seen. The plants were carefully arranged and labelled, but in a way that we found relaxing and approachable.

    There is a tea room with a view (on an elevation) with a snug and pretty patio garden which we found very reasonably priced (at least it was when we went in March 2009), and the staff were very friendly.

    The whole place felt to us as if a few well-heeled and chilled hippies earned a few million quid, and decided to share their love of gardening and people.

    (5.0/5)
  • about 1 year ago Brian Harden said

    This is a stunningly beautiful garden that should not be missed. All the 10,000 or so plants are carefully labelled and the gardeners will answer any quesions with enthusiasm. There are a variety of layouts from formal to riverside with amazing displays of tulips in the spring to roses in the summer. A delightful oasis of colour and calm.

    (5.0/5)

See all the reviews of Abbey House Gardens