National Trust  in Wiltshire

Tuesday 15th April 

Heading south we will enjoy the scenic journey to the county of Wiltshire and visit not one, but two National Trust properties, close to our lunch time stop at Melksham.

Our first visit to Great Chalfield Manor and Garden is managed and lovingly looked after by the Floyd family who manage it for the National Trust and are the donor family tenants. 

Robert Floyd explained “Our gardens were designed for my grandfather Rob Fuller by Alfred Parsons RA, PRWS, who lived at Broadway and was a friend of Henry James and the American artists' colony there. He designed about 60 gardens on Arts & Crafts principles and was President of the Royal Watercolour Society. He is gradually becoming better known and recognised ..he died in 1920.”  

At lunchtime, we then head to Melksham for free time to explore the eateries.

Following lunch, we take a short (and narrow) drive to another National Trust (garden only), The Courts Garden. 

Out of the ashes of a once industrial site grows the Arts and Crafts garden we see today at the Courts. Formerly the location of Holts Mills, the seven acre garden is laid out in a series of intimate garden rooms providing an oasis from world outside. An example of English garden style at its best, where owners rather than professionals made the creative decisions.

There are refreshments available before heading home  

Timings: Leave Leominster 8:00am., Hereford 8:40am., Ross on Wye 9:15am. 

We will depart and travel back to Ross at 6:30pm, Hereford at 7:00pm and then Leominster at 7:30pm. 

Costs: Including entry fees, morning tea/coffee and travel costs £38.00 per person for NT members and £63.00 for non NT Members

£38.00