Waterperry Gardens
Waterperry Gardens
4.1
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Waterperry Gardens - eight acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens, including rose and alpine gardens and one of the country's finest herbaceous borders. Plant Centre, Garden Shop, Gift Barn, Gallery, Rural Life Museum and Teashop for home-baked lunches and cakes. Events throughout the year and arts, crafts and gardening courses.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.1
400 reviews
Excellent
184
Very good
143
Average
36
Poor
22
Terrible
15
vpexplores1
Oxford, UK132 contributions
Dec 2024 • Friends
The gardens, even in December have several interesting features. The new sculptures are a lovely addition and the fine trees and miniature evergreen conifer planters are always worth a visit. Normally I have visited on a Saturday, but due to the weather forecast we visited on a Friday. Only on Wednesdays and Fridays you can pay an additional £5 to have a tour of the frescoes in ‘the big house’. Simon, the Steward, gave us a private tour. He was informative and entertaining. The frescoes are stunning. Please don’t miss them!
Written 6 December 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.
Pinnervillager
Pinner, UK30 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
We had been meaning to visit and did so on a Saturday. This clashed with a silver/ ceramic fair so car parking and cafe were much busier than usual.
Unlike a previous reviewer we both found the staff helpful even though those in cafe were very busy due to the event. All the cakes looked home made but we didn’t try them. Quite a queue but staff worked efficiently
The gardens themselves were varied and interesting but certainly not manicured with the odd weed and some trees and shrubs reaching the end of their life. The big herbaceous borders were pretty but not exceptional.
There was a museum which we didn’t visit and a well stocked garden centre and farm shop too.
As Oscar Wild said you should try everything once and we are very glad we did but we probably won’t be going back either
Unlike a previous reviewer we both found the staff helpful even though those in cafe were very busy due to the event. All the cakes looked home made but we didn’t try them. Quite a queue but staff worked efficiently
The gardens themselves were varied and interesting but certainly not manicured with the odd weed and some trees and shrubs reaching the end of their life. The big herbaceous borders were pretty but not exceptional.
There was a museum which we didn’t visit and a well stocked garden centre and farm shop too.
As Oscar Wild said you should try everything once and we are very glad we did but we probably won’t be going back either
Written 23 July 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.
Neil Barlow
Aylesbury, UK34 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
These are beautiful gardens and we had a lovely afternoon here. Plenty of places to sit and enjoy the flowers. Small in comparison to some gardens but I found the ticket price to be reasonably priced. We had a cream tea in the cafe which was delicious, homemade scones and the most amazing jams made on site. Not far from home for us so will definitely visit again.
Written 1 August 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.
Howie
Virginia833 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
You'll need a car to get to Waterperry, but if you love gardens and it means taking a taxi, it's worth the trip. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and a walk around will leave you tranquil and refueled to return to the hustle and bustle of Oxford. Do stop in the Orangerie to read the history of the building and grounds. There's a fine cafe and wonderful nursery and gift store.
Written 26 April 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.
Linda P
29 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We used to visit here regularly and have fond memories but haven't been for years.
I still love the grounds, the little church and the farm shop, but the tea room which used to be so good, has gone downhill. What got me the most was the unhelpful, miserable to the point of being rude, attitude of several of the staff members in the tea room. It was like everything was too much of an effort. The coffee was Luke warm brown water and the fruit and cheese scones were so doughy. The only nice things were the fresh apple juice and the Hawkstone beer. ( Which staff reluctantly took the bottle top off for me after being asked ). Although the grounds are lovely to sit in, there are a lot of other places equally as nice to which I would rather give my money to. Waterperry needs to sort out some customer training skills for their staff!
I still love the grounds, the little church and the farm shop, but the tea room which used to be so good, has gone downhill. What got me the most was the unhelpful, miserable to the point of being rude, attitude of several of the staff members in the tea room. It was like everything was too much of an effort. The coffee was Luke warm brown water and the fruit and cheese scones were so doughy. The only nice things were the fresh apple juice and the Hawkstone beer. ( Which staff reluctantly took the bottle top off for me after being asked ). Although the grounds are lovely to sit in, there are a lot of other places equally as nice to which I would rather give my money to. Waterperry needs to sort out some customer training skills for their staff!
Written 29 June 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.
Sling12
16 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Actual slice of heaven
We clearly came on a good day.
It's acceptable for plants to come to the end of their lives. It's a garden. Having never been before found it delightful. You can see how much hard work has been put into this and with today's climate I know just how hard that can be. Lovely layout and mixed borders. LIKE a little KEW.
Day was a scorcher but staff were happy and helpful. Cafe enviro had a really nice feel and pace. Cakes had were High standard delicious and could see from others a good time was being had. Village Green had country fete feel and gazebo was welcome relief from the sun. Is on my list to visit again if opportunity presents..
We clearly came on a good day.
It's acceptable for plants to come to the end of their lives. It's a garden. Having never been before found it delightful. You can see how much hard work has been put into this and with today's climate I know just how hard that can be. Lovely layout and mixed borders. LIKE a little KEW.
Day was a scorcher but staff were happy and helpful. Cafe enviro had a really nice feel and pace. Cakes had were High standard delicious and could see from others a good time was being had. Village Green had country fete feel and gazebo was welcome relief from the sun. Is on my list to visit again if opportunity presents..
Written 30 July 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.
chocolina25
Coventry, UK172 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
My friend discovered this place on one of her many trips along the M40 so we decided to visit. Very glad we did! First stop the Tea Room, good coffee, tea loaf and chocolate & Guinness cake - excellent and very moist. As it was a Wednesday we were able to purchase tickets for the Fresco Tour of the House, starting at 2pm. So late morning we took our time around the Gallery, garden centre and museum where a lovely gentleman gave us information about several exhibits, plus details about the Ice House.
We realised that we were not going to have enough time to warrant the garden admission charge before the House tour so we abandoned that plan. Judging by a couple of recent reviews we made the right decision.
On to the House. We were greeted by Simon, the Steward (amongst other things) of the Estate. Extremely knowledgeable, informative and interesting. We really had no idea about the history of the House and Estate but came away inspired. The Frescoes are incredible, every detail explained by Simon. He also showed us the retreat accommodation with a fabulous working kitchen.
We ended the day with a visit to the small but atmospheric church next to the house plus a final treat in the Tea Room.
A big thank you for a very different day out.
We realised that we were not going to have enough time to warrant the garden admission charge before the House tour so we abandoned that plan. Judging by a couple of recent reviews we made the right decision.
On to the House. We were greeted by Simon, the Steward (amongst other things) of the Estate. Extremely knowledgeable, informative and interesting. We really had no idea about the history of the House and Estate but came away inspired. The Frescoes are incredible, every detail explained by Simon. He also showed us the retreat accommodation with a fabulous working kitchen.
We ended the day with a visit to the small but atmospheric church next to the house plus a final treat in the Tea Room.
A big thank you for a very different day out.
Written 23 March 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.
RTandAC
Oxford, UK52 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We love going to Waterperry Gardens and there is more there than you might realise. We recently visited for the Waterperry Winter Opera Festival for a performance of The Snowman in the old house, which was truly magical at Christmas.
There are stunning formal gardens to visit (note: there is a cost), a lovely (although small) garden centre, a nice coffee shop and a more play area for children. They often host family activities in the garden, such as an Easter bunny hunt
There are stunning formal gardens to visit (note: there is a cost), a lovely (although small) garden centre, a nice coffee shop and a more play area for children. They often host family activities in the garden, such as an Easter bunny hunt
Written 31 December 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.
TheDingoFamily
Bochum, Germany175 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We absolutely loved the flower and kitchen gardens and the beautifully kept flower beds. Walking on the lawns felt like walking on a thick carpet. We bought a few flowers in the nursery and had a very nice lunch in the restaurant which can be highly recommend.
Written 19 September 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.
Zita M
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Couples
The garden is amazing. Living locally we are lucky to be able to visit throughout the seasons. However we had tea and scones in the cafe. The cafe is filthy. It really needs a deep clean. The chairs are an old wooden variety with dowel backs which are caked with dirt. The floor was filthy and dirt was in the radiator on the wall beside our table. The table had food smeared on the box surround of the table top and down the legs. It’s better to eat outside on the lawn in warmer weather.
Written 13 February 2025
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.
Can you take a picnic? Is there a special area to use?
Written 20 April 2022
I am sorry, I cannot remember a designated area. But there are public benches scattered around, I suppose you could use.
Written 21 April 2022
We saw dogs whilst there. There is an area of seating outside.
Written 25 May 2019
Officially no but you might get away with it in the grounds. I have seen people take them.
Written 8 May 2018
Dogs are only allowed on a short lead around the estate and are NOT allowed within the ornamental gardens.
(From official website)
Written 15 April 2017
Richard P
Crowthorne, United Kingdom
Hi there too, is it possible to hire/borrow and/or use wheelchairs this year? I have just torn a ligament/muscle in my leg and can only really walk with crutches at the moment. I have already bought tickets and would hate to waste them!
Written 14 July 2015
Gemma W
Oxford, United Kingdom
Hi Richard,
Yes we have 2 mobility scooters and 4 wheel chairs that are available to use. We advise that you book ahead to ensure availability for your visit. Please call 01844 339225 and select option 2 for the Garden Shop, where they can make a reservation for you.
We look forward to welcoming you to the gardens soon!
Written 16 July 2015
Richard P
Crowthorne, United Kingdom
Hi there too, is it possible to hire/borrow and/or use wheelchairs this year? I have just torn a ligament/muscle in my leg and can only really walk with crutches at the moment. I have already bought tickets and would hate to waste them!
Written 14 July 2015
Didn't see any for hire or to use, entering the gardens the path is narrow but once past that the going was easy I would suggest you phone them to confirm that a wheel chair could be used, as you say it would be a shame to miss out, good luck
Written 15 July 2015
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