Nestled in the village of Holt near Bradford on Avon is The Courts Garden, a fine English country garden just 20 minutes outside beautiful Bath. Tucked away off the main village road opposite the hall, look out for a small black iron gate. Venture through and you will discover one of our most favourite places – a grand 18th Century Manor House complete with a beautiful seven-acre ‘secret’ garden.

A true hidden treasure, The Courts Garden is made up of a number of formal garden ‘rooms’ including a lily pond, wildlife and sunken garden as well as the kitchen garden and orchard where deliciously fresh produce is grown all year round. A magical spot to visit whatever the season, spring is particularly lovely here as the arboretum is a sea of colour and the house adorned in beautiful scented wisteria. However, our favourite time to seek out this special spot is early summer when the roses and peonies are in full bloom and the garden deliciously fragrant – it really is the perfect place to relax with a book and a picnic on a warm and sunny day.

Once you have absorbed all the splendid sights and smells this lovely garden has to offer, we throughly recommend a walk to nearby Great Chalfield. Ask the nice folk at Courts for a map and follow this simple mile long route through the farmers’ fields (passing some friendly horses on the way) along to the beautiful medieval manor house. Finish up back at The Courts Garden for tea and cake in the Glove Factory Studio cafe opposite – the chocolate brownies are to die for and will be well deserved too!

TiYK Top Tip! Though house is private, The Courts Garden is run by The National Trust and is open to visitors daily from early spring through to the end of October (excluding Wednesdays).

Photo courtesy of Mr_Fox on Flickr