The History of Cotswold Gardens: A Journey Through Time

The Cotswolds, with its gently rolling hills, iconic honey-coloured stone cottages, and rich heritage, are known not just for their breathtaking landscapes but also for their beautiful, traditional gardens. From quaint cottage gardens to grand estates, Cotswold gardens have evolved through centuries, reflecting each period's changing tastes, cultures, and historical influences.

This blog will explore the fascinating history of Cotswold gardens, from their humble medieval beginnings to the modern interpretations seen today. Whether you're a garden enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the blend of nature and design, the Cotswolds offer a rich tapestry of garden history to explore.

Medieval Roots: The Origins of Cottage Gardens

In the medieval era (5th to 15th century), the gardens of the Cotswolds were primarily practical, focusing on growing food, herbs, and medicinal plants. The average Cotswold resident was a farmer or peasant, living in small cottages and relying heavily on their gardens for sustenance. During this time, the gardens were modest and utilitarian, but a touch of beauty crept into their design even then.

While medieval gardens were designed for function, flowers such as marigolds, roses, and lavender were often planted alongside vegetables. These early forms of what we now call cottage gardens laid the foundation for the romanticized versions we see today, with flowers, herbs, and vegetables intermingling.

Cultural and Historical Context

The feudal system dominated life in the Cotswolds, with most people working the land for local lords or in small-scale farming. Cotswold cottages were typically built close to the landowners' manors, and their gardens reflected their close connection to the earth.

While the gardens may have been small, they were crucial to survival, with an emphasis on practical plants. Popular crops included:

• Cabbage

• Leeks

• Garlic

• Beans

Herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage were also crucial for culinary and medicinal purposes.

The Tudor and Elizabethan Periods: The Rise of Ornamentation

The reign of the Tudors (1485–1603) marked a significant turning point in garden design. The wealthy began to invest in larger, more ornamental gardens influenced by Renaissance designs from Italy and France. Although the average Cotswold villager's garden remained modest, the region’s grand estates began to adopt more formal elements, like symmetry and knot gardens.

Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds offers an excellent example of the Tudor influence on garden design. The castle's Queen's Garden, named after Queen Katherine Parr, is a reconstruction of a Tudor knot garden featuring geometric shapes formed by box hedging. These carefully arranged designs brought a sense of formality and order to gardens that, in earlier centuries, were purely functional.

Tudor Garden Features:

• Symmetry: Using geometric shapes and precise lines became the hallmark of Tudor gardens.

• Knot Gardens: These intricate designs, created using low-growing herbs or hedges, were beautiful and fragrant.

• Heraldic Symbols: Gardens were often designed to reflect the owner's wealth and status, sometimes including features that referenced family crests or heraldic symbols.

The Seventeenth Century: The English Landscape Garden Movement

By the 17th century, garden design in England underwent a significant transformation. The influence of the English Landscape Garden Movement, led by figures like William Kent and later Capability Brown, shifted from rigid, formal designs to more naturalistic landscapes. This movement aimed to create gardens that felt like an extension of the natural environment rather than something separate and controlled.

With its undulating countryside, the Cotswolds provided the perfect setting for these designs. Estates such as Blenheim Palace, though just outside the official Cotswold boundaries, were heavily influenced by this movement. The design ethos encouraged sweeping lawns, gently rolling landscapes, and strategically placed trees to mimic nature. While these gardens were often found in grand estates, the movement’s emphasis on working with nature instead of against it began to influence gardens throughout the Cotswolds, even on a smaller scale.

Key Features of the English Landscape Garden Movement:

• Lakes and Water Features: Water was used to reflect the garden's beauty, often in large, man-made lakes.

• Sweeping Lawns: Lawns were designed to be large and expansive, leading the eye toward the horizon.

• Ha-has: A ha-ha is a recessed wall that allows for an uninterrupted view while keeping livestock out of the garden—a practical and beautiful design feature.

Georgian Elegance: The Birth of the English Garden

The Georgian period (1714–1830) saw the development of the picturesque garden. Gardens were designed to evoke idealized natural landscapes, often resembling paintings. Garden designers aimed to create spaces that were not only functional but also served as an escape into an idyllic natural world.

The Georgian era was also notable for introducing "garden rooms"—separate garden sections with distinct designs connected by paths or hedges. This style of design reached its height in the Cotswolds with the creation of Hidcote Manor Garden, designed by Lawrence Johnston in the early 20th century (though its layout and philosophy had Georgian roots).

Hidcote’s design is often called the epitome of Arts and Crafts garden design, but its concept of garden rooms is deeply Georgian. The garden is divided into distinct areas, each with its theme and character, connected by paths, walls, and hedges. This approach allowed for both structured and informal planting, creating a harmonious balance that reflected the ideals of Georgian gardens.

Georgian Garden Features:

• Garden Rooms: Divided spaces within the garden, each with its planting scheme and theme.

• Ha-has: Continued use of ha-has to keep views uninterrupted while maintaining practical boundaries.

• Follies and Statues: Decorative elements like follies (miniature, ornamental buildings) were common in Georgian gardens, adding a sense of whimsy.

The Victorian Era: A Garden Revolution

The Victorian era (1837–1901) ushered in a golden age of gardening. With the expansion of the British Empire, new and exotic plants were introduced to England, and gardening became a popular pastime for the rising middle class. The Victorian garden was characterized by vibrant flower beds, elaborate designs, and the increased use of glasshouses and conservatories to grow tropical plants.

The Cotswolds embraced this new wave of gardening, and many estates incorporated Victorian walled gardens to protect more delicate plants from the harsh English weather. These walled gardens were often highly decorative, with paths lined by vibrant flowerbeds, often featuring newly introduced species like rhododendrons, camellias, and ferns.

Batsford Arboretum, located in the northern Cotswolds, is a shining example of a Victorian garden that introduced exotic plants worldwide. Lord Redesdale, who developed the garden in the 1880s, filled it with trees and plants collected from across the globe, including rare species from Asia.

Key Features of Victorian Gardens:

• Elaborate Flowerbeds: The Victorians loved bright, bold flowerbeds with intricate designs.

• Exotic Plants: New plants across the British Empire became common in English gardens, particularly rhododendrons, ferns, and camellias.

• Glasshouses and Conservatories: These structures allowed Victorian gardeners to grow tropical plants in the cooler English climate.

The Arts and Crafts Movement: Nature and Craftsmanship

At the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, the Arts and Crafts Movement emerged as a response to industrialization. This movement focused on craftsmanship, natural materials, and the beauty of nature. This movement profoundly impacted garden design in the Cotswolds, with influential figures such as William Morris and Gertrude Jekyll advocating for gardens that blended seamlessly with the natural environment.

Hidcote Manor Garden is one of the most iconic examples of an Arts and Crafts garden, and its creator, Lawrence Johnston, was heavily influenced by the movement. Johnston’s garden is a series of “rooms,” each with its own theme and planting scheme, connected by pathways and hedges. The emphasis on craftsmanship is evident in the garden’s use of local materials, such as Cotswold stone, and its careful attention to detail.

Similarly, Kiftsgate Court Gardens, created by three generations of women from the same family, also reflect the Arts and Crafts ethos. Designed in harmony with the surrounding landscape, Kiftsgate showcases natural planting alongside more formal elements, creating a timeless and personal garden.

Key Features of Arts and Crafts Gardens:

• Natural Materials: Local materials, such as stone and wood, were used to create garden structures and pathways.

• Informal Planting: Although the gardens were designed, the planting often appeared natural and informal, focusing on perennials and native species.

• Garden Rooms: The idea of dividing a garden into “rooms” with distinct characters and plants continued in Arts and Crafts designs.

Modern Cotswold Gardens: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Today, Cotswold Gardens continues to draw from its rich history, blending traditional elements with modern innovations. The rise of sustainable gardening practices and an increased emphasis on biodiversity have reshaped how gardens are designed and maintained. In many ways, modern Cotswold gardens continue the naturalistic, practical approach that has always defined the region’s gardening ethos.

Highgrove House, the private residence of King Charles III, is one of the best-known examples of a modern Cotswold garden that emphasizes sustainability. King Charles, a well-known environmentalist, has integrated organic gardening practices, wildflower meadows, and traditional techniques into the garden, creating a space that is not only beautiful but ecologically sound.

Key Features of Modern Cotswold Gardens:

• Sustainability: Many modern gardens incorporate composting, water conservation, and organic gardening.

• Biodiversity: Gardens are increasingly designed to support local wildlife, with features such as wildflower meadows and bird-friendly hedges.

• Blending Tradition and Innovation: Modern gardens often incorporate traditional design elements, such as cottage garden planting, with contemporary features like outdoor living spaces and sustainable materials.

The Enduring Legacy of Cotswold Gardens

The gardens of the Cotswolds have evolved over centuries, shaped by the region’s history, culture, and natural landscape. From the humble, functional gardens of medieval peasants to the grand estates of the Georgian period, and from the intricate designs of the Arts and Crafts movement to today’s sustainable spaces, Cotswold Gardens continue to inspire and delight.

Their beauty lies in their design, connection to the land, and ability to evolve with the times. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of a cottage garden or the elegance of a grand estate, the history of Cotswold Gardens offers a wealth of inspiration for gardeners of all types.

So, whether you are visiting Hidcote Manor, exploring the grounds of Sudeley Castle, or simply enjoying your garden, remember that you are part of a centuries-old tradition. This tradition combines nature, beauty, and practicality in perfect harmony.