Friends of National Museum Wales: Kitsgate and Hidcote Gardens visit

If you enjoy visiting gardens this will be the trip for you. Last year this trip was oversubscribed and I am therefore running it again but also visiting another garden very close to Hidcote called Kiftsgate.

Kiftsgate is the story of three generations of women gardeners: Heather Muir, Diany Binny and Anne Chambers. Heather created the garden and was helped and inspired by her lifelong friend Lawrence Johnston of Hidcote Manor. From the mid fifties Diany Binny continued to add to the garden and began to open the garden on a regular basis. Anne Chamber’s created the new water garden that was once the tennis court: this area is now an oasis of calm, where fine white stepping stones give the illusion of floating over the black pool below, leading to a grass island at the centre. Each woman in her unique way has contributed throughout almost a century to making Kiftsgate the world renowned garden that it is. We have exclusive access to the garden and tea room as Kiftsgate does not normally open on a Thursday.

Hidcote
In 1907 the wealthy American Mrs Gertrude Winthrop bought Hidcote (287 acres) between Chipping Campden and Stratford upon Avon and in doing so provided her son Lawrence Johnstone with the opportunity to create one of the most beautiful gardens in England.

As in Dyffryn there are ‘garden rooms’ which peak at different times of the year. July will be a good time to see the herbaceous borders – the famous red borders, lilies and lace cap hydrangeas as well as the rare shrubs and trees and unusual plants from around the World. You may wish to finish off your visit with light refreshment at the Winthrop or Barn Cafés.

NB You are advised to wear sensible footwear as some paths and steps are narrow and uneven and can be slippery and wet. Don’t forget your National Trust card if you have one.

Timetable
8.00am    Coach departs National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park.
8.15am    Pick up passengers at Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park.
10.30am Arrive Kiftsgate - coffee in their tearoom. Intoductory talk.
11.15am    Explore the gardens of Kiftsgate.
12.45pm    Lunch at the Kiftsgate tearoom.
2.00pm    Leave Kiftsgate.
2.20pm    Arrive Hidcote. Introductory talk and explore the gardens at leisure.
5.30pm    Depart for Cardiff arriving back 7.45pm approx.

The total cost of the day will be £39 which includes admission, coffee and lunch at Kiftsgate, gratuities and coach travel. There is an additional charge of £9 per person if you are not members of the National Trust (£48 in total).

To join the visit, please complete the form below and include a cheque made out to the Friends of National Museum of Wales, and send to:
Gwen Williams, 57 Beulah Road CARDIFF CF14 6LU.
Tel: 029 2062 0094     Mobile: 07802 437316   gwen.williams@friendsmuseumwales.org.uk

Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope only if you have not provided an email address or you
wish to receive a priority voucher should the visit be oversubscribed.

VISIT TO KIFTSGATE COURT and HIDCOTE MANOR GARDEN THURS. 21st JULY 2016

Name(s) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________Postcode____________________

Tel. no. _____________________   Mob. No________________________        Email________________________________

Please reserve ____ places for the above visit. I enclose a cheque of £____ payable to Friends of National Museum Wales
(£39 per person or £48 for non members of National Trust) and SAE if you have no email address.

I/ we wish to be picked up at: Cathays Park ________ Wild Gardens Road, Roath Park ______

I/ we confirm membership of the Friends of the Museum of Wales____________________________

I am a member of the National Trust    Yes/No