Welcome to the iford manor estate

Welcome to Iford - home to the Cartwright-Hignett family since 1965, with a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book. Winners of the 2020 Historic Houses/ Sotheby’s Restoration Award for the work to underpin and save Harold Peto’s Grade II* listed cloisters, which can now be visited again as part of the garden visit.

We are delighted to have reopened our beautiful, Grade 1 listed gardens to visitors again. Often described as ‘soul food’ and ‘like stepping into another world’ we hope to provide both tranquillity and inspiration to visitors, as well as an opportunity to meet with friends and family again under the ‘Rule of 6’. Capacity is limited so please book your ticket in advance to guarantee entry.

Please note that children under 10 are not permitted in the garden.

Our BounceBack music mini-festival will return in the summer, along with many other small events and tours. Please subscribe to our monthly newsletter below to stay informed. For those wishing to enjoy a piece of Iford at home, mail orders are available from Iford Manor loose-leaf teas and Iford Cider.

NEW for 2021:

• New cafe and new restaurant opening in May to provide lunches, afternoon tea and snacks to garden visitors and walkers alike, with large outside seating area and views over the valley;

• The cloister & summerhouse reopen following extensive restoration work;

• Replanting of many borders, cypresses and cherries throughout the garden;

• Monthly Behind the Scenes tours with Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith and team (once permitted) - learn expert tips as to what to do in your garden each month, whilst seeing the ongoing restoration work at Iford and visit areas usually closed to the public;

• Champagne evening tours with owner William Cartwright-Hignett (once permitted); and

• Audio-guides to help uncover the many layers of history, architecture, design and horticulture at Iford.

Our aim as a family since 1965 has been to restore, conserve and enhance this stunning place, preserving the valley’s environment, improving biodiversity and allowing others to enjoy its rich cultural heritage. We could not do this without your help and all profits from garden visitors and the cafe & restaurant are reinvested back into maintaining the garden, ecology and heritage here at Iford.

Since 1910, visitors to Iford Manor Gardens have received a warm welcome, a tradition that we are proud to continue. Used as a key location in “The Secret Garden” starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters (2020), we hope that you enjoy visiting and exploring our very real secret garden on the Wiltshire/ Somerset border.

We look forward to welcoming you to Iford very soon.