For those who prefer their gardens with a bit of context—something beyond a quiet wander and a glance at the borders—there’s an opportunity this year to take a closer look at one of Wiltshire’s more carefully tended spaces.
At Avebury Manor Garden, a series of guided tours will run from May through to September, offering visitors the chance to see the garden through the eyes of the people who look after it.
Led by Head Gardener Garry Munford, the tours are less about grand statements and more about the detail—how the garden has evolved, what’s working, what isn’t, and how it’s adapting to the increasingly unpredictable nature of the British climate.
There’s a practical edge to it as well. Alongside the history and seasonal highlights, visitors can expect a few tips to take home—ideas that might translate, in some small way, to their own gardens, whether that’s a window box or something rather more ambitious.
The garden itself, managed by the National Trust, is fully organic, which adds another layer to the conversation. Maintaining that balance while dealing with shifting weather patterns is no small task, and the tours offer a glimpse into how those challenges are being handled.
Each session runs from 10am, with the guided element lasting around an hour, followed by time for questions. Tickets are priced at £10 per person, which includes entry to the garden, though booking in advance is essential.
The dates are spread across the warmer months—21 May, 25 June, 16 July, 20 August and 24 September—giving visitors the chance to see how the garden changes as the season moves on.
It’s a simple idea, but a useful one. Because sometimes the difference between looking at a garden and understanding it is just having someone there to explain what you’re actually seeing.
