A garden made up of four distinctly different one-acre squares.
When entering the Private Walled Garden you will be welcomed by an explosion of colour and fragrance, from tulips, roses, lavender, peonies, hydrangeas, honeysuckle and so many other plants. The garden includes 250 metres of formal borders, a picking garden, working greenhouses and a kitchen garden full of fruits and vegetables.
In spring, one of the most striking sights of all is the arched arbors covered with trailing wisteria flowers over the pathways. You will see our large selection of wall climbing roses and plants alongside our spectacular mixed boarders. Visitors can learn which flowers thrive in the beating sun and the cool shady spots as you pass each border from north to south. You will be amazed by the inspiring use of wall space and vertical gardening. The long border still holds an Osmanthus Birkwood, planted by Sir Harold Hillier over forty years ago. At over eighteen feet high it must now be a champion.
What you can expect to see:
April – Tulips will be in bloom on the terraces as well as in the Private Walled Garden. Spring blossom can be seen everywhere including magnolia trees in the park and gardens. Towards the end of the end of the month wisteria will begin to flower.
May and June – One of the most striking sights of all are the arched arbors covered with trailing wisteria flowers over the the pathways. The wall climbing roses on the terraces and in the Private Walled Garden will be in bloom. Late flowering tulips can still be seen and the picking garden borders will be filling up. First fruits will be starting to emerge and the wild flower garden will be flourishing .
July and August – The roses will be in full bloom, with some of them offering a second flush of colour in later August. The mixed borders will be beautifully thriving, the geraniums can be seen flowering in over a hundred urns, and the kitchen garden will be at its best.
September – The roses will continue to flower and the borders will showcase a range of dahlias, asters and alstroemeria.
No matter the month, on all tours you will see our large selection of wall climbing plants throughout the Private Walled Garden and along the House walls, next to our spectacular mixed borders.
The Private Walled Garden is closed to the public but available for group bookings and on certain dates throughout the season, which require pre-booking onto one of our tours.
Please note: The tour requires around 90 minutes of walking, with limited seating. The paths around the House and Gardens are gravel therefore wheelchairs and pushchairs may find it difficult. We have a ramp leading onto the top terrace, however there are steps leading to the lower terrace.
We offer a number of dates throughout the season to visit Bowood’s Private Walled Garden. All tours are tailored to suit the season and the flowers in bloom; from wonderful wisteria to the vibrant wall of roses.
Keen gardeners looking to expand their knowledge our Head Gardener Tours may be of interest to you.
Individuals can join a Private Walled Garden Tour.
Morning Tours including lunch – £38.50 per person
Arriving at admissions for 10:30, your guide will greet you for arrival refreshments then take you on a 90-minute guided tour across the formal terraces and through the Private Walled Garden. After your tour, you will be seated in The Stables for a seasonal one course buffet lunch. All guests are welcome to explore the grounds at leisure for the remainder of the day.
10:30 – Arrive at Admissions
10:45 – Arrival refreshments
11:00 – Tour to commence
12:30 – One-course buffet lunch served in The Stables
13:30/14:00 – Guests are welcome to explore the grounds, which includes Bowood House and Terrace Gardens, Arboretum, Doric Temple, Cascade and Hermits Cave.
Please note: Bowood House & Gardens closes at 17:30. Last entry into Bowood House, The Stables and the Terrace Gift Shop is 16:30.
Afternoon Tours including a Cream Tea – £34.50 per person
Meet at Admissions for 13:45, where you will be met by a tour guide. The tour includes a 90-minute guided tour. After or before your tour, you are welcome to explore the gardens, grounds, and Bowood House at your leisure. Then after the tour enjoy a Cream Tea. Please note Bowood House & Gardens opens from 10:30 and closes at 17:30.
13:45 – Guests to meet at Admissions
14:00 – Tour to commence from Admissions
15:30 – Enjoy a Cream Tea served in The Stables
Please note, these tours require around 90 minutes of walking with limited seating. The paths around the House and Grounds are gravel therefore Wheelchairs and Pushchairs may find it difficult, there is also steps leading down into the lower terrace.
A tour can be organised on a weekday of your choice with discounted rates.
Groups of 15 or more can enjoy an exclusive tour of Bowood’s Private Walled Garden. A truly special experience as our experienced guides tailor each tour to suit the season and the flowers in bloom, from the trailing wisteria to a wall of climbing roses.
To enquire please fill out our enquiry form below.
Or via email to our Groups Sales Coordinator Lisa Kent. Email: l.kent@bowood.org or call 01249 810968
Please note our Garden Tours need to be booked in advance. They are non refundable and non changeable. Refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the management.
Bowood reserves the right to, at its absolute discretion, cancel workshops/courses/events/tours up to 7 days prior to the event if booking numbers do not reach a minimum level. In the event of such cancellations Bowood will offer customers the option to swap to another date in the same year (if spaces are available), or offer a full refund. For the avoidance of doubt, Bowood bears no liability for and would not refund any other indirect costs incurred by the customer, such as travel costs or accommodation.
If you have a question about your visit to Bowood, you may find it here.
