Absolute Touring

Abbey House Gardens

• Malmesbury is a charming market town dating back to Saxon times. With a charter granted in 924, it claims to be the oldest borough in England
• The striking half-ruined 12th-century Benedictine Abbey was originally founded in the seventh century
• An 11th-century monk, Eilmer, broke his legs while attempting to fly with home-made wings from the roof - this is commemorated in a window of the church
• The Abbey contains the tomb of Athelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, and the first Saxon to be recognised as the King of England
• Abbey House Gardens - this privately-owned garden has been created by the present owners since 1994. The property dates back to the 12th century
• Whole area was completely overgrown with dead and decaying growth, weeds and brambles, which all had to be cleared before design and planting could begin
• Spring brings over 70,000 tulips, crocus, daffodils, and primrose, as well as fruit blossom; later come wisteria, laburnum and rhododendron
• Summer sees 2,000 different varieties of rose come into bloom
• Garden reflects the history of the Abbey, and encompasses herbaceous borders, herb, foliage and knot gardens
• Water plays a significant role, with ornamental pond, raised fish tank (or ‘Stew pond’) and the river Avon running through the valley below the house
• Find out more about this Malmesbury based attraction

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75 minutes southwest of Oxford