Iford Manor: The Peto Gardens

Iford Manor: The Peto Gardens

Many travel writers throughout the decades have written about Harold Ainsworth Peto and his particular style of Italianate garden design and whereas I will talk about him briefly within my authors review, the stars of this particular piece truly are the gardens that he created in the 35 years whilst living here at the truly stunning and historic Iford Manor. But my review wouldn't be doing the gardens any justice, without talking about and giving huge credit to Iford Manors present owners, the Cartwright-Hignetts, for it is them that have stopped this garden from getting lost in time and have worked tirelessly to restore the gardens to their former glory, so much so I can almost imagine a wry smile on the ghost of Harold himself. Out of all the gardens Harold designed, I would imagine the one that he would return back to would be those at Iford Manor, once seen never forgotten.

Review

Having been to Pompei, Rome and Venice, the Peto gardens here at Iford Manor would most certainly not of been out of place. Harold Peto carved himself his own piece of Italy right here in the Wiltshire countryside and one could be truly forgiven for thinking that you were stood on a Palazzo in Rome, surveying these truly magnificent Italianate gardens, but your not, your nestled perfectly in a small village that is the true epitome of our English countryside. The gardens are plentiful and its steps, terraces beautiful views, not forgetting sculptures a plenty, are truly divine. A visit to Iford Manor will be one that will stay with you for a long time, such is how special a place it is. One thing also worth mentioning is; the terraces play home to various visiting Opera performances and jazz concertos, allowing you to most definitely take advantage of the full experience here. I cannot leave you without mentioning the pop up tea room, soon to be more of a permanent fixture, the blended teas are second to none, along with the a vast array of cakes, truly divine!