Bourton House

Since Saxon times, the stone-built village of Bourton-on-the-Hill has hugged the Cotswold escarpment. Bourton House and its Brewhouse, Stables and Coach House were built on monastic lands and have created a courtyard since the late 16th century. The Grade I listed Tithe Barn preserves the dedication stone of 1570 with the initials RP for the then owner, Richard Palmer.

The house itself was rebuilt as a foursquare Jacobean house by the eminent lawyer, Sir Nicholas Overbury in 1598. At the beginning of the 18th century, the then unfashionable house was once again rebuilt on the earlier footprint by Alexander Popham, the grandson of a Cromwellian general. The house was taken down to its lower ground floor but the whimsical towers retained, the slits replaced by generous Georgian sash windows. The architect remains unknown. This setting has remained unchanged for over three hundred years.

Bought in 1983 by Mr. & Mrs. Paice, they began the task of turning what had become a neglected wilderness into the perfect garden setting for this lovely Cotswolds house.

Imaginative topiary was introduced including a knot garden, parterre and topiary walk; natural springs used to create water features; an unusual shade house constructed and ever wider herbaceous borders created to accommodate more exotica.

In 2010, Bourton House Garden came under new ownership but remains open for the enjoyment of garden visitors.

Bourton House