Seven miles from the heart of historic Oxford lies Waterperry Gardens – 8 acres of beautiful ornamental gardens with a fascinating history.

Established as a School of Horticulture for Ladies by Beatrix Havergal in 1932, it's now home to a plant centre and garden shop, gallery, gift barn, museum and teashop.

Lose yourself in the wonderful gardens featuring a formal knot and rose garden, colour borders, waterlily canal, riverside walk and herbaceous nursery stock beds from which all cuttings are taken for the plants sold in the Victorian walled garden plant centre.

The pride and joy is the herbaceous border – a stunning feature from early May to late September when it bursts into life again with Michaelmas Daisies in time for the special Michaelmas weekend. Running more than 200 feet along the length of the old kitchen garden wall, the south facing border was designed to give as long a display of colour as possible, using early, mid-season and late-lowering herbaceous plants and climbers.

New design elements have been added over the years, including a contemporary herbaceous border featuring plants which are low maintenance and drought tolerant. The garden is also home to a year long exhibition of sculpture by the master sculptors of Zimbabwe which runs until April 2012.

The garden shop provides everything you need for the gardening season and the plant centre sells mainly Waterperry-grown plants – with herbaceous plants a speciality. There's also seasonal bedding and veg plants, Waterperry grown shrubs, trees and climbers as well as a wide range of their own apple trees grafted from our orchards where we produce thousands of bottles of the own juice each year.

If you fancy a bit of retail therapy, the Gallery and Gift Barn are must-sees – with beautiful, affordable and unusual gift ideas to suit all tastes and budgets. There's also a small Rural Life Museum and a Saxon Church but don't leave without a visit to Miss H's – the lovely teashop where you can indulge in home baked lunches, patisserie and cakes – all cooked fresh on the premises each day using the best local, seasonal produce.

We have a full programme of year round events, from horticulturally themed weekends to outdoor theatre and concerts as well as a wide range of arts, crafts and gardening courses to allow you to brush up an existing – or learn a new skill.

Opening times: Waterperry Gardens is open all year round except between Christmas and New Year and during Art in Action (19th to 22nd July 2012).

Summer 10am to 5.30pm. Winter 10am to 5pm.

Directions: Waterperry Gardens is located 7 miles from Oxford City Centre off the A40. Leave the A40 at Wheatley and follow the brown tourist board signs. Sat nav users should key in the postcode OX33 1LG which takes you to Waterperry Village. This is a no through road and Waterperry Gardens is right at the end.

Prices:

January 3rd 2012 – February 17th 2012.

Adults £4.30. Children aged 16 and under free.

February 18th – October 31st 2012.

Adults £6.30. Children aged 16 and under free.

November 1st – February 2013.

Adults £4.50. Children aged 16 and under free.

Coach contacts and specific group offer information.

Waterperry offers good group party rates for advance bookings (call 01844 339254 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

January 3rd 2012 – February 17th 2012. £4.20 per person for groups of 20 or more booked in advance.

February 18th – October 31st 2012. £4.85 per person for groups of 20 or more booked in advance.

November 1st 2012 – February 2013. £4.20 per person for groups of 20 or more booked in advance.

Coach parking is free and all coach drivers and/or group travel organizers get a meal voucher and free entry to the gardens.

Garden tours are available for groups too – contact us direct for more information.

www.waterperrygardens.co.uk