Due to capacity limitations this year, we are unable to take further bookings. We hope to welcome you to our gardens in 2022.

Welcome to Gardens at old Camps

Open gardens near Newbury, Berkshire for group or bespoke visits

 
 

"All beautifully managed"

Thank you so much for having us all today – it was a lovely visit despite interesting weather – which really nobody noticed as they were far too excited by everything they saw in the garden! It really is a fantastic achievement and you have really created something very special. The plant interest and the amazingly collection of plants not thought to grow anyway near Newbury is extraordinary. All beautifully managed and your family team do a great job in supporting – many thanks also for the coffee and cakes – much appreciated.

Charlotte Strutt - MD of Heritage Touring

"The highlight of our garden visits this year"

Thank you so much again for your hospitality last evening. The visit to your garden was certainly the highlight of our garden visits this year. It was interesting for me to see the changes you have made and the ones in progress. All our members were most inspired.

Ruth Alexander - Harwell Gardeners Club

"A big thank you for looking after us so well."

A big thank you for looking after us so well. We were all bowled over by your wonderful garden with so much variety and all the plants looking so happy and healthy.

Marijke

"Everyone had a wonderful evening"

On behalf of our WI I would like to thank you for your hospitality on the 17th. Everyone had a wonderful evening, and this was down to the effort you and your team took in making sure we were welcomed on arrival and ensured everything was well organised during our visit. The tour of you gardens were very informative, and the tips you gave on growing some of the plants were taken on board by everyone.

Pam Finlay - President Upper Clatford WI

"Would love to visit again"

Thank you so much for allowing us to visit your very interesting garden. Fascinating to see so very many plants from different climes incorporated in a single garden. Very clever! Would love to visit again given the opportunity.

Gillian

"Stunning"

Very many thanks to you and Heidi for such an enjoyable afternoon seeing your lovely garden. There was so much of interest that I am sure we all came home with some ideas we can copy in our own gardens. I certainly did. You have both worked so hard making the house and surrounding garden such a success and as for those wonderful views that you have so cleverly brought into the design of your garden. Stunning. You also gave us a good sized cup of tea with such delicious cake and such generous slices!

Anne

"A real delight and an inspiration"

I enjoyed a magical few hours in the beautiful garden of Old Camps. So much to explore and see. A real delight and an inspiration for gardeners. Heidi and Adam really welcomed us and were so generous with their time and advice. Lovely refreshments too. I will be back.

Olwen Harrison

"Our visit was so memorable"

As well as passing on the many thanks from the group who all said how beautiful and different your garden is, I would like to also say how much I enjoyed the visit. We really appreciated all you did to make our visit so memorable and it has even been suggested we do a repeat visit in a year or two.

Anne

"We really enjoyed our visit"

Thank you so much for your and Heidi's kind hospitality on Monday evening. We really enjoyed our visit to your wonderful garden and you made it especially interesting by showing us around and explaining the planting schemes.

I went away quite inspired with lots of ideas for my own garden and I am sure other members felt the same.

Sally

"We will be recommending a visit to Old Camps"

Visiting your lovely garden on Sunday and the hospitality you provided was much enjoyed by all of us. Without doubt we will be recommending a visit to Old Camps and perhaps returning ourselves.

Pat

"A truly memorable visit"

Thank you Adam, and Heidi, for making us all so welcome and sharing your amazing garden with us all. A truly memorable visit and we will definitely spread the word and love to revisit.

Carolyn

"Our privilege and pleasure"

It was most definitely our privilege and pleasure to spend the evening with Heidi and yourself. I am so pleased that you contacted us, and I dearsay a lot of other people will feel the same way as well after visiting your garden.

Sylvia

"Thank you for showing us your fantastic garden"

Just a note to say thank you for showing us your fantastic garden. Michael and I thought it was amazing and puts ours to shame in its current condition. However, we came away with many ideas for plant changes suitable for a more sunny climate. I know our members enjoyed the visit as well so thank you once again.

Sandra

"Your beautiful garden is such a credit to you!"

Thank you very much for your email. We were delighted to meet you and explore your beautiful garden. It is such a credit to you.

All the ladies thoroughly enjoyed it and would love to come again. I hope we can be a larger group next time. Many thanks for your hospitality and patience answering all the questions!

Linda

"Without exception everybody who came today really enjoyed the visit"

Thank you so much for opening your garden for us today, and sharing your time, knowledge and advice with us.

Without exception everybody who came today really enjoyed the visit, and are keen to visit again, at a different time of year. What we saw was a stunning garden, so much had been created in such a relatively short period, and more ambitious plans for the future!

We really appreciate the time and effort that went in to making our visit such an enjoyable event.

Nigel

 

The History of Old Camps

The garden at Old Camps is situated on the site of a Roman encampment, purposefully selected for its position on higher ground and its proximity to Roman Winchester (Venta Belgarum) and Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum). It is well-documented how Newbury and Thatcham, Berkshire towns nearby, were occupied by the Romans. Evidence unearthed from archaeological digs date artefacts from 2nd-5th Century AD.

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The Gardens

Here we show pictures and images of plants in our gardens that are at their peak, performing like superstars and occasionally divas! They can be hard work, but they are certainly worth it.

We will also highlight our future plans for the gardens and provide current updates on progress and construction.

Explore Our Gardens
 

In Season

Here we highlight what you can expect to see in various parts of the gardens as the year progresses.

 
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Directions

If you are travelling from Newbury along the A339, once you are in Headley, turn left immediately after Headley Tyres and before the central traffic island onto a gravel track. Take the right hand track and drive to the end through the gates and into Old Camps.

If you are coming from Basingstoke along the A339, once you enter Headley look out for Cheam School on the left, continue past and up the hill and turn right after the central traffic island onto a gravel track. Take the right hand track and drive to the end through the gates and in to Old Camps.

 
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BBC's Gardeners' World

It all started with an email out of the blue from the wonderful Camilla Bassett-Smith. At first I thought it was an email from a private group wishing to visit the gardens, but as I read on, it soon dawned on me that this request was different! You always dream of being on GW, but to have the BBC approach you is quite sublime.

Throughout the whole process, from initial contact to filming, the team were fantastic - clear communications, prompt responses and above all else, highly professional and as equally supportive.

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Gardens at Old Camps | Gardens to Visit in Newbury, Berkshire

Visiting Old Camps

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