Wonderful Wiltshire, a land of hidden gems
The garden reconciles human art and wild nature, hard work and deep pleasure, spiritual practice and the material world. It is a magical place because it is not divided.
Churches and Ancient Springs
Nestled beneath the imposing Alton Barnes White Horse in Wiltshire, lie three small villages: Alton Barnes, Alton Priors and Honey Street. It’s difficult not to feel a deep connection to these beautiful, history-rich places. From St Mary’s, with its recently discovered medieval wall paintings, to All Saints Church, home to a 1,700-year-old yew tree. Not to mention the ancient spring bubbling up in the cobbled meadow. As a historian and keen gardener, the open gardens event promised the perfect afternoon. A true celebration of all things historical and botanical.
On arrival at the Coronation Hall, we were surprised at how busy it was. At my relatively young age, I hadn’t realised how popular open gardens are — but of course, on reflection, it made sense. People are innately curious, and fascinated by how others live. YouTube is full of urban exploration videos, and shows like Through the Keyhole and Cribs were once hugely popular. But we rarely get to peek into other people’s gardens. I know I’m always tempted to peer over walls and fences to see what’s blooming — or not!
Manicured lawns and carefully curated planting
As a frequent visitor to National Trust properties, like so many others, I’m used to seeing perfectly manicured lawns and carefully curated plantings, the kind you’d expect from trained horticulturalists. I was intrigued to see how villagers had designed and cultivated their outdoor spaces. Twelve families opened their gardens to the public. A delightful mix of converted barns, modern homes, thatched cottages, and the village manor house. All clearly mapped and signposted for the trail.
Space for nature
One of the greatest joys of the day was how many ideas we came away with. One garden featured a rill, something we’d been thinking about, but hadn’t known the name for. Another had a bed made entirely of different coloured heathers. A pergola topped with a living roof of succulents gave vertical interest to an otherwise overlooked space. It was also helpful to see which plants thrived locally, offering clues as to what might succeed in our own garden.
Peonies, roses, and alliums stood out: each bold in form, fragrant, and full of character.
It was also heartening to see gardens with space set aside for nature. Mown paths through long grass in orchard areas, stone piles for insects and small creatures — thoughtful touches that brought balance and biodiversity. Along the route, stalls offered local produce, including honey and plants in beautiful condition — tempting takeaways for any garden-lover.
More Please!
I hope this event returns next year. Not only did it raise funds for the church roof, but also for Prospect Hospice, a charity providing vital end-of-life care and family support. Accessibility had been considered too, with traffic calming measures and alternative routes for varying levels of mobility.
All in all, it was a fabulous afternoon — one that’s inspired us to continue on our own gardening journey, which never truly ends. And perhaps that’s the point: a garden is meant to grow and evolve with you.
Article written for Roaming the Paths by The Thoughtful Detectorist.
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