Ampney Park is a beautiful English garden in the Cotswolds.
It’s been around since 1620 and has more than 20 sculptures that were built by famous sculptors such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Elisabeth Frink. The park also still maintains many of its original Victorian details.
You can explore this amazing place with your friends or family on a day out to see all the great things it has to offer! Whether you want to take pictures, read about history, or just enjoy nature – there’s something for everyone here at Ampney Park!
What is Ampney Park Garden
Ampney Park Garden is a 16th-century manor house in the Gloucestershire town of Ampney Crucis. It is a Grade II listed structure. The garden has been restored to its former glory and is open to the public. The garden is set out in a series of traditional knot gardens, with topiary and herbaceous borders. There is also a rose garden and a lavender walk. The garden is on the bank of the River Coln, which runs through the grounds. The manor house itself has original Tudor paneling and serves as a tearoom.
The History of Ampney Park Garden
The Ampney Park Garden, part of the Cotswold Water Park, is a historic estate set on Ampney Brook. Since its construction in the late 16th century, the estate has been associated with the Church of the Holy Rood. The house, which was built in the Jacobean style, was originally owned by John Pleydell. The lodge was built in the mid-seventeenth century, with the rear wing added in 1893. The architecture is currently a mix of Jacobean, Georgian, and Victorian styles.
In 1724, the mansion was sold to Viscount Downe of Cowick Hall in Yorkshire. They sold it to Samuel Blackwell in 1765, and he retained it until 1891. Until 1982, when it was turned into a hotel, the estate was private property. In 1986, it was reverted to private ownership.
The house is characterized as having an “E-shaped design with the main range aligned north-south,” with the west front being 312 storeys and the east side having a 2 story porch. It has mullioned and transomed windows and is built in the Jacobean style with uneven ashlar masonry, a red tile roof, and mullioned and transomed windows. With a hipped roof and three Doric order columns, the east front is Georgian in style. The Victorian-style rear wing has a mansard roof.
During various seasons of the year, the estate is available to the public. It is well-known for its gorgeous gardens and is a popular tourist attraction. Fishing, strolling, and cycling are among the activities available to visitors. On-site, there is also a tea lounge where guests may relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. Ampney Park Garden is regarded as one of England’s greatest examples of a rural garden.
The Grounds at Ampney Park
The Grounds at Ampney Park is a property in Gloucestershire, England. The house was completed in 1781 and it stands on 25.5 acres (10.3 ha) of land. One of the main features of The Grounds at Ampney Park is a lake. There are also natural forests and gardens as well as sculptures on display. There is also a tennis court and a riding school. The property was purchased by the National Trust in 1951.
How to get to Ampney Park
To get to Ampney Park, you can take the following routes:
1. Walk from Crown Of Crucis Hotel, Ampney Crucis
2. Take a bus from Cirencester Bus Station
3. Take a taxi from Cirencester
Opening times at Ampney Park
The gates are open from 11 am to 4 pm.
Entry Prices for Ampney Park Gardens
Admission costs £6 per adult, under 16’s are free.
What to See and Do at Ampney Park Garden
There are a few things that you can see and do when you visit Ampney Park Garden. First, you can view the beautiful water gardens that surround the home. You can also walk through the leisure grounds and enjoy the scenery. Additionally, you can enjoy horseback riding in the parkland area or take a stabling for a guided tour of the home. Finally, you can visit the gift shop to purchase souvenirs.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit to Ampney Park Garden
The first thing you want to do is have a look at the map on the back of your ticket or brochure. The map will help you find your way around by identifying what buildings and gardens are nearby. One of the most beautiful sights in this garden is the colorful borders. The colors on these borders are so bright and vivid that you might feel as though you have been transported to a foreign country or time period!
The next thing you should do is follow the perfumed bluebell path. This path will lead you to a raised vegetable garden, which provides a space for reflection and appreciation of nature’s beauty – not to mention fresh food for those who visit Cobalt Tea House. And, if that wasn’t enough for some visitors, there are more than 20 sculptures strewn over the grounds, adding an extra layer of beauty to this already picturesque location.
Other Places Nearby
Cirencester Park
It is a large National Trust-owned park that is a couple of miles away from here. It has almost 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of woodland and grassland. There are lots of guided walks in the summertime along footpaths through this beautiful landscape. In the wintertime, there are shortcuts to take through this park.
Coln River Villages
It is a small area of National Trust countryside that has lots of different habitats including broadleaved, mixed, and yew woodland, ponds, meadows, and grassland. There are many different types of wildlife around the Coln Valley so it’s worth taking binoculars to see all the different species. It’s a great place for a picnic as well.
Bibury Trout Farm
It’s about a mile from here and is a great place to go fishing or just have a walk around the lake. You can also buy food there if you get hungry.
Stow-on-the-Wold
It’s less than two miles away and has lots of great shops to explore as well as many old buildings dating back hundreds of years. There are also some good pubs to go to for lunch!
Cotswold Water Park
This is a large area of countryside that is filled with lots of different types of wildlife including birds, fish, and insects as well as many mammals such as bats, moles, and otters. It’s a great place to go for a walk or a bike ride.
Conclusion
Visiting a garden is always an enjoyable and relaxing experience. The moment your feet touch the ground, you find yourself enveloped in nature’s beauty and serenity. Ampney Park Garden offers visitors many amenities to enjoy while they are exploring their grounds including sculptures, trails, gardens, tea house food options, and more! One of the most popular features at Ampney Park Garden is the brightly colored borders that line each section of this property. These borders provide colorful accents throughout the park which add extra vibrancy to its natural beauty. If you’re looking for someplace new to explore with family or friends whether it be on foot or by bike-, make sure to visit Ampney Park Garden today!
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