A tour of Bywell Garden

CPRE Gloucestershire's South Cotswolds & Tetbury District Committee are delighted to offer tickets for a tour with drinks & canapés at Bywell by kind invitation of Alex and Nicky Kinimonth.

Bywell is situated high in the Cotswolds overlooking the Golden Valley and the wooded slopes beyond. The garden was started in 2000 by Alex and Nicky on a field with practically no topsoil over Cotswold brash of alkaline clay and rock.

Untrained in horticulture, Alex, with no rules to constrain him, has developed, almost entirely by himself, an exciting garden of different styles and interest. Above the house, the ground rises in steep and densely planted bank of shrubs of green, gold and grey up to the vegetable garden and tennis court. Designed to give continuous interest, especially in the winter, it is constantly evolving as the planting matures. Around the drive in front of the house, a rill collects water from the springs in the bank.

The rill continues across the lawn to a vanishing edge circular pond. The lawn is edged with variegated Portugal laurel and then yew planted in the bank below which is trimmed to the level of the grass to extend the horizon. From this point the water continues down past of wildflower slope in a lushly planted stream to the duck pond and further areas of interesting and exotic planting and bold sculptures.

Below this, the bank is planted in predominately grey and blue and then descends onto the meadow of ox eye daisies. Around the duck pond the vegetation is lush and exotic, from there the water flows down past tree ferns and large leaved panting to a newly developed bog area. Stretching across the bottom of the garden is a walk with, at one end, a green “room” – with climbers enclosing its sides looking across to the 8ft diameter slate sphere surrounded by silver birch. The 8 ft circular shape is echoed throughout the garden.

Not a classic or formal garden, Bywell is a delight of unexpected vistas and adventurous planting where the enthusiasm of its owners is evident at every turn.

Book your tickets now - the sales of the tickets will support CPRE Gloucestershire, the countryside charity.

Please note, this garden is on many levels, involving steps. Benches and chairs will be provided for any visitor with mobility concerns who would like to sit and enjoy the view of the valley.

Address: Bywell, Sapperton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL76LW