Somerset is a beautiful part of the UK, blessed with natural beauty and filled with man made works of art including the idyllic Iford Manor, which is located just six miles from our very own Bath Mill Lodge Retreat. This stunning estate with its Grade 1 listed gardens is a must see the next time you enjoy a holiday at Bath Mill.
the peto gardens
One of the stand out attractions on the estate is of course the Grade 1 Internationally Listed gardens at Iford Manor which were designed and created by the important Edwardian garden designer Harold Peto, who lived here from 1899-1933.
Peto was a renowned British architect who was famous for beautiful garden designs, many of which are still in existence today in parts of both the UK and France. The Peto Gardens at Iford Manor are perhaps the finest example of his work still in existence, with Peto expanding and completely designing the gardens upon purchasing the estate. The design of the garden was very much influenced by Peto’s travels prior to purchasing Iford Manor when he took inspiration from architectural designs in Egypt, Italy, France, Spain and Greece to name but a few. Peto was particularly interested in classic Italian garden designs at the time of designing these, this is traditionally characterised by the presence of pools and statues amongst the greenery. The current owners have worked in accordance with the original designs to maintain this look and feel.
All of this is complemented by the steep south-facing valley side which offers an emblematic feel of rural England, and the babbling river Frome adds a touch of the Riviera. As a former winner of the Historic Houses Association/Christie’s Garden of the Year Award, the green fingered amongst you will relish the opportunity to explore these stunning 2.5 acre gardens.
a great day out
The valley is the perfect launch point for a number of circular walks, taking in, for example, the romantic ruins of Farleigh Hungerford castle, or the charming villages of Freshford and Avoncliff, where the railway to Bath also stops.
If you are taking a stroll around the extensive gardens or indeed planning to head into the valley, then you will surely be looking for some refreshments. Iford Manor has got this covered with their very own tearoom, which offers a range of home-baked cakes and scones. However, the real stand out here is the loose leaf teas that are chosen by the owner himself who happens to be a tea merchant. Iford Manor Teas LTD have taken the same approach to their teas as Harold Peto took to his gardens, travelling the world to take inspiration from teas all over the world to bring back the very best blends that are on offer. There are various teas to sample ranging from the traditional House Breakfast Blend and Earl Grey, to herbal and fruit infused varieties.
Iford Manor is a great location for a peaceful and scenic day out, perfect for the next time you stay at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, why not book your holiday today?