Coughton Court in Warwickshire Competes for Prestigious Garden of the Year Award
A magnificent Tudor estate located just fifty minutes from Birmingham city centre has been shortlisted for the highly coveted Garden of the Year Award. Coughton Court, situated near Alcester in Warwickshire, is one of six exceptional gardens nominated in the annual competition organised by Historic Houses.
Historic Competition and Notable Contenders
The Historic Houses Garden of the Year competition celebrates horticultural excellence across the United Kingdom. Alongside Coughton Court, the distinguished shortlist includes Burghley House in Lincolnshire, Kelmarsh Hall in Northampton, Monteviot House on the Scottish Borders, Plas Cadnant in Anglesey, and Slemere House in East Yorkshire. This diverse selection showcases gardens of various sizes and styles, all open to the public for visitation.
A Rich Heritage and Family Legacy
For over six centuries, Coughton Court has been the ancestral home of the Throckmorton family. Although the National Trust owned the property from 1946, the Throckmortons continued to reside there and manage the extensive gardens they cultivated. Notably, the family regained full ownership of the estate earlier this year, maintaining their deep connection to the land and its botanical treasures.
Exploring the Gardens
Visitors to Coughton Court can immerse themselves in a variety of beautifully maintained garden spaces. The estate features formal gardens, exquisite rose gardens, vibrant herbaceous borders, serene pool gardens, unique bog gardens, productive fruit orchards, colourful spring borders, enchanting bluebell woods, and picturesque riverside walks. Recent visitors have praised the gardens as 'beautifully cared-for' and 'gorgeous', with some describing the estate as 'an absolute jewel on our doorstep' in online reviews.
Visitor Information and Public Vote
The gardens at Coughton Court are open to the public from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission prices are structured as follows:
- Adults: £15.50
- Concessions and Students: £14.00
- Children (aged 5 to 15): £6.50
- Children under four: Free
- Family Ticket (two adults and two children): £40.00
The public vote for the Garden of the Year Award remains open until the end of August, allowing visitors ample time to explore the shortlisted gardens and cast their votes via the Historic Houses website. This democratic process empowers the public to help determine the winner.
Official Statements and Award Significance
Ben Cowell, Director General at Historic Houses, expressed enthusiasm about the shortlist, stating, 'Now that spring is finally here, we are thrilled to offer a truly exceptional shortlist for our annual Garden of the Year competition. Each of these six gardens is reflective of the horticultural excellence that can be seen across our member properties at Historic Houses. We look forward to seeing which emerges with the most votes by the end of a busy summer of garden tourism.'
Ursula Cholmeley, Chair of the Historic Houses Gardens and Parklands Committee, added, 'We are grateful to Historic House members for a strong list of entries this year and the shortlist features six small and large gardens all open to the public and all worth visiting before you cast your vote.' She highlighted that two awards are presented: the Garden of the Year Award and The Judges' Choice Award, the latter recognising a lifetime's work in garden cultivation. Both awards honour the dedication of owners and gardening teams in preserving and enhancing some of the world's finest historic gardens.
