Inspiring Gardens in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are the ideal travel destination for any avid gardener. It is hardly surprising that there are picturesque English country gardens almost everywhere. A short wander through any village will give you a glimpse of several.
However, I bet you weren’t expecting to find an Indian Mogul house and gardens here or an impressive display of trees from around the world. The Cotswolds have an impressive variety of gardens to explore, whatever your style.
The following admissions are correct as of June 2026. Opening times vary seasonally, so it is always important to check the websites before visiting.
1. Hidcote Gardens
Dogs welcome in some areas
National Trust members- Free
Adults: £12.10 Children (5-17): £6.10
This is one of my favourite places to visit in the Cotswolds. The garden is laid out as a series of ‘rooms’, each with its own personality. One of the best things about Hidcote is that it never gets boring. The garden changes so much throughout the different seasons, keeping everything feeling new and interesting. As well as ornamental gardens, there is a vegetable garden and an orchard (a great place for a picnic). As with most National Trust properties, there is a good cafe serving cake and light lunches.
2. Seizincote House
No dogs
CLOSED December, January and February
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Bank Holiday Mondays
Adults: £9 Children (16 & under): £3
Seizincote House is the only Mughal palace in Northern Europe. These compact gardens are designed in an Indian style with a pavilion and ornate temples to explore. The house and garden were the idea of Colonel John Cockerell, who worked for the East India Company during the 1700s. The house was commissioned to mirror a typical Indian house built in the Mogul style from Rajasthan. The gardens were neglected during World War Two and were restored in 1968. Today, the house and garden are a theatrical adventure nestled in the unsuspecting Gloucestershire countryside.
3. Kiftsgate Court Gardens
No dogs
Adults: £ 12.50 Children: £ 5.00
Kiftsgate Gardens are a stone’s throw from Hidcote. They were created over 100 years ago by Heather Muir. Today, the gardens are still looked after by her female descendants. Here you can see the ‘Kiftsgate Rose’, one of the largest rose plants in the UK. For the best display, visit in July. There is also accommodation on offer.
4. Upton House and Garden
Assistance dogs only
National Trust members- Free
Adults: £19.80 Children (5-17): £9.90
Another National Trust property, Upton House, was used during the 1930s as a country retreat. This 1930s theme is evident throughout, and it doesn’t take much to imagine a summer party here. The terraced gardens display various plants and vegetables, opening onto a breathtaking pond at the bottom.
5. Painswick Rococo Gardens
Dogs welcome
Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm
Adults: £14.10 Children (4-16): £6.60
These gardens were designed by Benjamin Hyett in the 1740s to be used as an ‘outdoor room.’ What was once a popular feature in many wealthy houses, today, Painswick is the last of its kind in England. It was designed to show off the owner’s wealth with utter flamboyance, and these gardens are a pure joy to explore. If you are visiting with children, don’t despair. There is also a maze and wooden play areas.
6. Sudeley Castle
Assistance dogs only
Adults: £24 Children (3-15): £10.50
Visiting Sudeley Castle, you can explore a building with 1000 years of history. The gardens are a collection of ten unique spaces, each with its own character. Some of the most interesting are the Queen’s Garden and the Tudor Physic Garden. Katherine Parr’s tomb is here, making it the only private residence to have an English Queen buried there. There is also an adventure playground to keep the children entertained.
7. Batsford Arboretum
Dogs welcome
Adult: £12.00 Child (4-16): £3.50 (under 4 years free)
Sprawled across 60 acres, Batsford Arboretum is paradise for anyone who loves trees or just the outdoors. Here you can see an almost overwhelming collection of over 2,850 trees from around the world. There are also 1,300 shrubs and plants to see, as well as several Japanese and outdoor buildings. As with most of the gardens on this list, there is an outdoor woodland playground for kids.
8. Cotswolds Lavender
Dogs welcome
Prices from adults £5.75 (depends on time of year)
Although it isn’t strictly a garden, Cotswolds Lavender is a beautiful place to visit. It is suited to Instagram-worthy photographs. Outside Broadway, there are 45 acres of breathtaking lavender fields. To see them flowering, plan your visit between the end of June and early August. There is also a wildflower meadow, a woodland trail, and a cafe serving local (and legendary) Gorse Hill ice cream.
With so many impressive gardens to choose from, the biggest problem you have is deciding where to visit first!
