As summer fades and gives way to autumn splendour, we have a fabulous opportunity to experience two magnificent private gardens. Both estates are perfectly nestled within the Wiltshire countryside, with expert owner-gardeners at the helm who have extended seasonal interest through flowers, foliage, fruit and edibles.  

Our day will begin at the stunning, historic four-acre formal garden which surrounds a 17th century manor house and forms part of the estate at Cadenham Manor. Owned by Victoria and Martin Nye, the garden was created by Victoria’s grandmother, Elizabeth Blackwell, in the fifty-year period from 1945 onwards. The garden expands outwards from the house through an almost overwhelming series of garden rooms, divided by yew hedges and moats. The planting is exquisite including specimen trees and vegetable gardens occupying rooms within the formal gardens. Fountains, statues and a folly focus the eye and in the calm of autumn after the frenetic summer, the structure of the garden is a joy to behold. Victoria will meet us upon arrival for an introduction and after morning coffee we will be free to explore at our own pace. 

Following lunch at a local restaurant we will drive the short distance to Blackland Park, a flower lover’s garden at the foot of the Marlborough Downs, where owner Polly Nicholson runs her organic flower business, Bayntun Flowers. The four-and-a-half-acre formal garden, already well established but re-designed in part by Arne Maynard, features wide herbaceous borders, a Victorian conservatory, a restored walled garden with traditional Foster and Pearson glasshouse and cold frames and a Pool Garden with pleached crab apples. The Woodland Garden is an autumn highlight with vibrant foliage and berries, a grotto and walks along the River Marden which runs through the garden. Around the garden are spectacular floral displays of dahlias and other autumn flowers. Polly, who holds the National Collection of Historic Tulips, will be our host for the tour and our day will finish with afternoon tea and cake in the garden before leaving for our return drive to Chippenham train station.