Local Attractions – Iford Manor Gardens, Westwood Manor and Bradford on Avon

Iford Manor Gardens: Just over a mile towards Freshford, you’ll find this Grade I Italian-style garden is famous for its tranquil beauty, and was the home of architect and landscape gardener, Harold Ainsworth Peto from 1899 to 1933. Now home to the Cartwright-Hignett family, this unique and romantic hillside garden is characterised by steps, terraces, sculpture and magnificent rural views. Booking online is recommended to guarantee entry as capacity is often reached at peak times. Note that children under 10 are not permitted in the garden. Open Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 4pm (last entry 3pm).

The garden has been shortlisted for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year award.

Westwood Manor is a National Trust 15th-century beautiful stone manor house with late Gothic and Jacobean windows. Built over three centuries, it has decorative plasterwork, some fine period furniture, 17th- and 18th-century tapestries and a modern topiary garden. It also houses the country’s earliest Italian keyboard instrument in playing order.  Usually open 1400-1700h on the afternoons of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays from April through September, but please check their website before visiting.

Just a little further afield out of Westwood, you’ll find The Courts, which are The National Trust’s gardens at Holt and the National Trust’s house and gardens at Great Chalfield Manor – very close to The Courts. And a little beyond again is Lacock Abbey and Gardens and the enchanting village.

Local Coffee Shops and Pubs (please check websites before visiting)

Westwood‘s pub is “The New Inn” usually open Wednesday to Saturday 1200-1500 and 1800-2200. Sundays 1200-1600. Please check their opening times on the website.

Iford Manor Café is open year-round. Please check their website for full details and opening times. They also have an award-winning restaurant, Iford Manor Kitchen, open for lunch. Again, please check their website for full details.

If you’re heading back through Freshford there’s the community shop and coffee shop The Galleries – turn left just past the school in the centre of Freshford. Generally open Monday to Friday 0845-1500 and Saturday and Sunday 0900-1230. The Inn at Freshford pub is temporarily closed (Feb 2025)

Bradford on Avon is a charming market town, bustling with individual shops, great choices of restaurants, pubs and tea shops, historic buildings and a canal. Probably the most famous tea shop is the Victorian “Bridge Tea Rooms”. Whether your interest is in architecture dating from the Saxon times, visiting the mid-14th Century Tithe Barn or relaxing over a coffee, there’s something for you.

If visiting Bradford after us, it will probably be easiest if you park at the station car park, turning left at the mini-roundabout (if coming from Downside) just as you’re heading into the town

Bradford on Avon is also a great base from which to explore Bath, Stonehenge, Longleat, Stourhead, Kennet and Avon Canal and more. Bradford is only about 8 miles from Bath, where you can visit the famous Royal Crescent, Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa, and many museums, including The Holburne Museum, The Victoria Art Gallery, Number One Royal Crescent and the Jane Austen Centre to give you but a few ideas.

All information is given in good faith but please check out local details before visiting.