Iford Manor: The Peto Garden
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Closed until 31 Mar 2024
Iford Manor: The Peto Garden
Iford Manor: The Peto Garden
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 31, 2024
About
Internationally renowned, Grade 1 listed, Italianate gardens designed by Harold Peto, who made Iford his home from 1899-1933. Characterised by terraces, pools, statuary cloisters and remarkable rural views, the garden is an archetype of its period and a historic design gem. The present owners have restored and today maintain the historic gardens and the ethos of their original designer through modern borders blended with historic plantings, and today welcome visitors to their home five days a week, with coach visits available outside normal hours. A housekeeper's tearoom serves homemade cakes and light refreshments at weekends and there is a cake-of-the-day during weekdays at the entrance desk. The gardens are steeply terraced, partially accessible to disabled visitors, who are recommended to call ahead for assistance. The gardens are not well suited to children because of unfenced ponds and other hazards. The owners are keen to protect a tranquil environment for visitors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Patrick BBristol, United Kingdom921 contributionsLovelyWhat a lovely garden, restaurant/cafe and staff in a beautiful setting. We took an impromptu visit and were not disappointed. The gardens are quite small, but lots of interesting things to see, in an idyllic setting. It's well worth the small fee, plus meeting Aslan the cat was fun.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 April 2023
- Nicholas3 contributionsA very special havenA beautiful garden hidden away down a long narrow lane - do not get put off by the approach. There is a surprise around every corner with perfect vistas. We went at the best time of year and it was relatively empty. You should definitely not miss it if you are anywhere near this part of the world.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 July 2023
- Elizabeth M1 contributionRelaxing, interesting layout, beautiful viewsThe garden is on a hillside and there are steep, uneven steps so take a walking stick if you need extra support. The garden is in the Italian style and has many opportunities for photos. Dogs on a lead are welcome. Soft, pastel planting in a stunning landscape. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Excellent cafe with cakes, savouries and drinks. Also a restaurant. Guide book gives an interesting history about the garden buildings, definitely worth the £4 price!Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 July 2023
- Hardwick19 contributionsA gem of a garden and great restaurant tooThe trip down the narrow lanes were worth it. The garden laid out on many levels in the Italianate style was beautifully kept and full of interesting and historical features. A lovely place to spend a few hours. Be warned though there are lots of steps and changes of levels as it’s built into the hillside so it’s not for everyone but they do welcome dogs. The cafe has excellent coffee and cakes etc. this and the restaurant have outside seating. The latter served us a truly delicious meal which we couldn’t fault. Recommend booking as it’s not huge to avoid disappointment. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming and we will definitely be returning to see the garden at a different time of yearVisited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 July 2023
- Emma SFaringdon, United Kingdom8 contributionsBeautiful if you like steps.The gardens were very full and pretty! Lots of different flowers and trees to look at and beautiful views. Lots of steps! The only downfall to the day was that the cafe hadn’t planned for the vast amount of wasps, none of the bakery items were covered. Slightly disappointing.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 August 2023
- Sally KTrowbridge, United Kingdom71 contributionsSuper food, great service and some lovely musicMum and I visited today for a delicious lunch. The service was fantastic we were well looked after by the team and we really enjoyed the jazz guitarist who entertained us during a lovely lunch. Enjoyed the house cider too!! Excellent value for money we will definitely return.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
255 reviews
Excellent
182
Very good
51
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
8
Sally K
Trowbridge, UK71 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Mum and I visited today for a delicious lunch. The service was fantastic we were well looked after by the team and we really enjoyed the jazz guitarist who entertained us during a lovely lunch. Enjoyed the house cider too!! Excellent value for money we will definitely return.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma S
Faringdon, UK8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The gardens were very full and pretty!
Lots of different flowers and trees to look at and beautiful views.
Lots of steps!
The only downfall to the day was that the cafe hadn’t planned for the vast amount of wasps, none of the bakery items were covered. Slightly disappointing.
Lots of different flowers and trees to look at and beautiful views.
Lots of steps!
The only downfall to the day was that the cafe hadn’t planned for the vast amount of wasps, none of the bakery items were covered. Slightly disappointing.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hardwick
19 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The trip down the narrow lanes were worth it. The garden laid out on many levels in the Italianate style was beautifully kept and full of interesting and historical features. A lovely place to spend a few hours. Be warned though there are lots of steps and changes of levels as it’s built into the hillside so it’s not for everyone but they do welcome dogs. The cafe has excellent coffee and cakes etc. this and the restaurant have outside seating. The latter served us a truly delicious meal which we couldn’t fault. Recommend booking as it’s not huge to avoid disappointment. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming and we will definitely be returning to see the garden at a different time of year
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth M
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Couples
The garden is on a hillside and there are steep, uneven steps so take a walking stick if you need extra support. The garden is in the Italian style and has many opportunities for photos. Dogs on a lead are welcome. Soft, pastel planting in a stunning landscape. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Excellent cafe with cakes, savouries and drinks. Also a restaurant. Guide book gives an interesting history about the garden buildings, definitely worth the £4 price!
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicholas
3 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A beautiful garden hidden away down a long narrow lane - do not get put off by the approach. There is a surprise around every corner with perfect vistas. We went at the best time of year and it was relatively empty. You should definitely not miss it if you are anywhere near this part of the world.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aefl
Mickleton, UK27 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Thought we were in Italy! Just beautiful and stunning. The restaurant and cafe also looked great with vegan options but typically had a picnic with us which we ate by the river not in the gardens.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan P
Buenos Aires, Argentina18 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This is the second time I’ve taken the kids down here to visit the cafe and fish with nets in the paddling river, but we won’t come back again. Both times we’ve been faced with very unfriendly car park staff, who I assume are volunteers. Not sure why they bother if it makes their life so miserable. And then in the cafe the staff weren’t much friendlier. The icing on the cake is how difficult the access road is. It’s single track and there’s very few passing places so it’s pretty stressful for everyone when you meet another car. It feels like by the time you get down there everyone is already so stressed that friendliness goes out of the window and snobby hostility takes over. It’s beautiful and idyllic but the rest takes all the shine off that sadly.
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary M
Bristol, UK147 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Lovely garden in a scenic location. Spent a few hours here on a sunny day wandering around the grounds in peace and quiet to admire the flowers, sculptures, views, the scent that filled the garden and the birds singing, it was a relaxing time.
Friendly staff throughout the visit and a lovely café/restaurant with outside seating.
There are several walks outside the grounds in the surrounding countryside
Had a great visit and will like to return in a different season
Friendly staff throughout the visit and a lovely café/restaurant with outside seating.
There are several walks outside the grounds in the surrounding countryside
Had a great visit and will like to return in a different season
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan S
1 contribution
Apr 2023
Went fir Sunday lunch with my family
Seven of us and we had the most amazing time
Excellent service and delicious food
Thank you we shall return
Seven of us and we had the most amazing time
Excellent service and delicious food
Thank you we shall return
Written 17 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick B
Bristol, UK921 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
What a lovely garden, restaurant/cafe and staff in a beautiful setting. We took an impromptu visit and were not disappointed.
The gardens are quite small, but lots of interesting things to see, in an idyllic setting. It's well worth the small fee, plus meeting Aslan the cat was fun.
The gardens are quite small, but lots of interesting things to see, in an idyllic setting. It's well worth the small fee, plus meeting Aslan the cat was fun.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, are dogs allowed in the gardens please?
Will C
Bradford-on-Avon, UK26 contributions
Yes, dogs are welcome on leads in the garden, and also in the cafe and restaurant.
Ansimalice
1 contribution
hello, can we arrive by foot from bradford ? thank you
busterSolihull
Birmingham, UK1,386 contributions
It is a long walk 2 3/4 miles take approx one hour ( I am saying long for me as I suffer with bronchitis but I could manage to walk in the gardens) Hope you enjoy it.
Regards Neil
Anna R
Norwich, UK61 contributions
Would families be welcome? Would two noisy boys be tolerated 😂?
Elaine B
Gosport, UK77 contributions
As the gardens are all outside spaces it should be fine. It really depends on the age of your children, if they are easily bored this may not be the ideal place, as it is very tranquil and peaceful, although there were children there the day I visited and they seemed to enjoy it
Jasmine E
Cardiff15 contributions
Hi , visiting this weekend and checking if the gardens are open and if they are def doggy friendly please ?
Will C
Bradford-on-Avon, UK26 contributions
Hi, sorry for the late reply, but thankfully the responses pointed you in the right direction. We reopen on Easter Day, 1 April 2018.
As for dogs... yes, very welcome on leads.
all the best.
Tony616
Lifton, UK5 contributions
What is the wheelchair access like?
Will C
Bradford-on-Avon, UK26 contributions
Please see our website, (it won't let me post links, sorry) where you can download our accessibility map in addition to finding some guidelines. Click on Peto Garden, then there's an Accessibility link on the left side.
Being a historic terraced garden we are pleased to have been able to provide access to around 60% of the garden area using paths accessible to most robust wheelchairs. We have a side entrance to the garden where you can park the car, to avoid the climb up the hill.
It can be useful to talk it through in advance, so please don't hesitate to contact us on 01225 863146.
Harrytime
Solihull, UK1 contribution
Hi, what is the cost of entry?
Will C
Bradford-on-Avon, UK26 contributions
2015 prices will be listed shortly on our Website.
Adults: £5.50
Reduced Rate: (Penioners / Student / Child): £5
Under 10's free.
Groups by appointment out of hours - please ring us for info & pricing.
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Claim your listingIFORD MANOR: THE PETO GARDEN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Iford Manor: The Peto Garden
- Iford Manor: The Peto Garden is open:
- Wed - Sun 11:00 - 16:00
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