Welcome to Westonbirt House & Gardens
Westonbirt House and Gardens are an outstanding example of high Victorian architecture and landscape design.
The gardens were laid out between 1830 and 1885 by their wealthy owner, Robert Holford (1808-1892). Robert also built the spectacular Westonbirt House (constructed 1863 – 1872) and was responsible for planting Westonbirt (now the National) Arboretum.
Westonbirt House
The present Westonbirt House was constructed between 1863 and 1872.
The spectacular neo-Elizabethan building, based on Wollaton hall in Nottinghamshire, was designed by the architect Lewis Vulliamy (1791-1871), with much active input from Robert Holford.
The house boasts some extravagantly decorated interiors including the Library, the Reading Room and the Saloon.
Westonbirt Gardens
Robert Holford was also the driving force behind the design of Westonbirt’s gardens.
He was influenced by the writings of the landscape designer William Sawrey Gilpin (1762-1843). Gilpin’s ‘picturesque’ style of landscaping is reflected at Westonbirt in the combination of the formal terraces and lawns immediately surrounding the house which gradually give way to informal areas with carefully placed specimen trees.
Highlights include the Italian Garden, the Long Terrace and the informally planted West Gardens which feature a variety of mature trees, an ornamental lake and a rockery.
