Iford Manor Gardens

Nestled in a secluded valley on the Wiltshire/Somerset Border in the South West of England, Iford Manor boasts one of Britain’s most beautiful historic gardens. Julie joins owners William and Marianne Cartwright-Hignett for a tour of the gardens, followed by afternoon tea. Over 50 years William’s parents, Elizabeth and John Cartwright-Hignett, revived the spectacular gardens created by the celebrated garden designer Harold Peto in the early twentieth century. And as William and Marianne have taken on the management of Iford Manor and Gardens since 2016, they have redeveloped the café and saved the beautiful Cloister, a grade II listed building created by Harold Peto in 1914, which had been in grave danger of collapse. In 2020 this vital restoration work to the Cloister saw Iford Manor being awarded the Historic Houses Restoration Award. Also in this episode, under the guidance of head gardener, Troy Scott Smith, Julie helps clean the pond in the Japanese Garden and prepares tea sandwiches and an all American angel cake with head chef, Jaq Brewer.