Garden Visit to the Old Rectory, Doynton, South Gloucestershire & Dyrham Park

The Old Rectory, Doynton, South Gloucestershire,BS30 5SY 10.30 a.m.

The spectacular garden of the Grade II listed Georgian Old Rectory, Doynton is partially set within a walled garden with an extended 15 acre estate beyond. Renovated over 12 years, it sits within the Cotswold AONB, displaying a diversity of modern and traditional elements, fused to create an atmospheric series of garden rooms with a central canal. There is a large landscaped kitchen garden, vegetable plots, fruit cages and a treehouse as well as a woodland area for a longer stroll. The garden is studded with wonderful modern sculptures, and is a feast for the eyes.

There will unfortunately not be any refreshments available during our visit, but there are a number of options for lunch before the afternoon tour: There is a NT café serving sandwiches and light lunches at Dyrham Park or for those who prefer to take a picnic, there are lots of places to sit and enjoy your lunch in Dyrham’s gardens. Otherwise there is the excellent Cross House in Doynton village (booking advised) or The Bull at nearby Hinton (booking advised).

We will then head to nearby Dyrham Park for a private tour led by the Head Gardener of exciting new developments that have taken place during 2024. IF YOU ARE A NATIONAL TRUST MEMBER, PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR NT MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH YOU.

Dyrham Park, Dyrham, Bath SN14 8HY 2 pm.

In April 2024, a new herd of 26 deer was introduced to the ancient parkland at Dyrham. This followed a cull of the entire herd three years earlier in 2021 after high levels of bovine tuberculosis were detected in the deer. As well as the gardens and water features and the orchard beyond, there is also a range of newly created paths around the estate. In June 2024 the garden parterre was completed at Dyrham Park creating a striking link between house and garden. The design was inspired by drawings from the original 17th-century garden and funded by a generous gift in a will. Huge steel frames were craned in to make the acanthus leaf shapes that were then filled with carefully cut turf, decorative stones, shells, planting and paving.