Manor, Court and Gardens


Mickleton - A Miscellany: by Chris Knight


Chapter 20. Manor, Court and Gardens.


There are no gardens in Mickleton that are regularly open to the public. On a specific occasion a garden may open for example for charity as part of the National Garden Scheme. There are, however, two well known gardens open to the public which are nearby and have a close association with the Village; Hidcote Manor Garden and Kifsgate Court Garden.


Hidcote Manor and garden is situated in the Cotswold hamlet of Hidcote Bartrim. It is a National Trust property and is described by them as one of the country's greatest gardens. It is certainly a nationally and internationally renowned garden. The traditionally thatched cottages in the hamlet are also owned by the Trust. Some were once home to the Manor's gardeners but are now rented out.


The Manor was formerly a farm house that was built in the 17th century. In 1907 Lawrence Johnston's mother (then Mrs. Gertrude Winthrop) bought the Manor and farm, an estate of some 300 acres. Lawrence moved in the same year and his mother in 1908. The house was renovated to suit their requirements and an extension added. There was originally little in the way of formal garden and Lawrence created the garden as it is today from the fields which surrounded the house. In 1919 Mrs Winthrop brought the farm at the end the lane in Hidcote hamlet, which enabled the garden to be extended to the current boundaries. The garden was largely completed by the early 1920's, and is a series of 'outdoor rooms', each with its own character. The Manor, garden and estate were acquired by the National Trust in 1948 when Lawrence was in his 70's. The Trust has now had the the garden longer than Lawrence owned it. Their aim is to keep the garden to as close to a representation as possible of how it would have been in its heyday of the 1930s.


Kiftsgate Court Gardens are situated almost next door to Hidcote Manor set on the edge of the Cotswolds escarpment above Mickleton. Not only are they topographically different to Hidcote, the gardens are the inspiration of three women - Heather Muir, Diany Binny and Anne Chambers. Whereas Hidcote is a National Trust property, Kiftsgate is privately owned and the home of the Chambers family. The gardens are, however, open to the public from April to September.


The garden was started by Heather Muir in the 1920s. In making the garden at Kiftsgate there is no doubt that Heather Muir was greatly helped and inspired by Lawrence Johnston. It seems likely they knew each other well. Whilst influenced by Hidcote next door, unlike Hidcote it was never formally planned as it has evolved over time, and is considered by some to be prettier and a less organised place. The garden continued to be developed and improved by her eldest daughter Diany Binny from 1950 and is now looked after by Anne Chambers - Diany’s eldest daughter - and her husband. Each has developed and helped improve the garden such that each person has made their mark on the garden. The garden is laid out next to the house on the top of the escarpment as well as down the steep bank of the escarpment, with steps down to a lower garden with a bathing pool.


The garden is well known for its roses and in particular the famous Kiftsgate rose, a scented climbing rose, which is very vigorous. It is claimed to be the largest rose in England. It produces huge growth each year and in July produces panicles of white blooms, and is said to resemble a cascading waterfall amongst the trees.