The hidden hedged gardens of Warwick's Hill Close Gardens ...
are rare survivals of Victorian gardens once used by townsfolk living above their business to escape from the crowded town. Discover how owners came here after work or on Sundays to tend their plots or to relax.
Highlights of what's going on in Hill Close Gardens.Access Key: 1
Opening times and directionsAccess Key: 2
How to become a MemberAccess Key: 3
How to become a VolunteerAccess Key: 4
Find out what’s onAccess Key: 5
Venue hire at Hill Close GardensAccess Key: 6
Full contact details of who to contact and howAccess Key: 7
Gardens in May
As the months change so do the Gardens. To help you plan a visit this month you can read beforehand what is of special interest in the Gardens at the moment. More>
Want to know more? Follow the Gardens Supervisor on Twitter:
Plant Nursery
The plant nursery is open every weekday throughout the year and when the Gardens are open at weekends from Easter to mid-October.
To download the nursery stocklist More>
Please note: customers only wishing to buy plants but not to look round the gardens do not pay for admission.
Threatened Plants Project
A chance conversation at the Plant Heritage AGM has resulted in Hill Close Gardens becoming part of the largest ever cultivated plant conservation programme in the UK - the Threatened Plants Project. More>
Download the Hill Close Gardens Newsletter
Receive news, gardening tips and updates in the regular e-letter from Hill Close Gardens.
(PDF format, 422k download size)
Award-Winning
Guide Book
In 2009, the Historic Gardens Foundation awarded Hill Close Gardens the prize for the "Best Guidebook to Gardens in England and Wales". The guide book is on sale in the Visitor Centre.
Hill Close Gardens
The Social History
These gardens are a very rare example of Victorian detached leisure gardens which were originally located on the outskirts of many towns. More>
The Restoration
Local people worked tirelessly to save Hill Close Gardens from destruction and redevelopment. The massive clearance and restoration effort that followed has created a site of national importance. More>
The Gardens Today
Today the Gardens are beautifully restored and have become a significant historic and educational amenity for the local population. More>
Summer opening hours 2013
Friday, 29 March to Sunday, 13 October
Mon - Thurs, 10.30 am - 3.30 pm (cafe closed)
Fri, 10.30 am - 2.oo pm (cafe closed)
Fri, 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm (cafe open)
Sat, 11.00 am - 5.00 pm (cafe open)
Sun, 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm (cafe open)
Bank Hol Mon, 11.00 am - 5.00 pm (cafe open)
More>
Winter opening hours 2013
Until 28 March, then from 14 October
Mon - Fri, 11.00 am - 3.00 pm (cafe closed)
Sat - Sun, Gardens closed
If you are travelling some distance it is advisable to check that the gardens are not closed due to winter work or adverse conditions. Tel: 01926 493339.
More>
Hill Close Gardens Events 2013
- The Gardens are now open at weekends until 4.30 pm, Sunday
13 October 2013, as well as weekdays.
More>
- Thursday, 30 May, Children's Workshop: The Insect Inspectors
10.30 am to 12 noon or 2.00 to 3.30 pm
Children (3 yrs and over) £3.50, accompanying adult free
More> - Friday, 14 June, Gardener's Walk - guided tour
2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, £2 plus normal entry charges
More> - Friday, 21 June, Midsummer Music in the Gardens: concert by soprano Katie Leaver accompanied by pianist Emma Cockbill
Gardens open 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm, performance starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets, adults £6 and children £3
More> - Tuesday, 2 July, Volunteers' BBQ
6.00 pm to 9.00 pm
More> - To access this year's diary of events
More>
- For Schools, Plant Hunters Programmes
These programmes have been developed for Key Stages 1 and 2
More>
- Admission Charges
Summer Weekends
Adults £3.50
Children 5-16yrs £1, includes garden trail
Children free
Members free
Summer Weekdays
Adults £3.50
Children under 5 yrs free
Members free
Winter Weekdays
Adults £2.50
Children free
Members free
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Apples at Hill Close Gardens
The collection of historic apples is one of the outstanding horticultural features at the Gardens. More>
Spring at Hill Close Gardens
In spring and early summer the fruit blossom and spring bulbs are at their best. More>
Summer at Hill Close Gardens
Summer is the time to see the prolific displays of flowers and buy produce grown by our gardeners. More>
Autumn at Hill Close Gardens
Early autumn is one of the best times to visit the gardens. See asters and chrysanthemums at their best. More>
Winter at Hill Close Gardens
Visiting the gardens in the winter is the best time to see the structure of the individual gardens.
More>
Hill Close Gardens Orchard
Award-Winning Guidebook
Press Releases
Tyler Rooke, the first government sponsored horticultural
apprentice at the gardens
Full Story>
Job Opportunities
Hill Close Gardens Trust currently has no paid job-opportunities.
However we are always looking for volunteers to help in the gardens and the Visitor Centre cafe, or to help with the education activities. More>
Photo Competition 2011
Hill Close Gardens and National Gardens Scheme Competition winners
Results>
Introducing Hill Close Gardens
Rest inside the little brick summer houses and
listen to birdsong
Talk to the gardeners who tend the plots
Wander along the old paths and discover
16 individual plots
Discover unusual types of fruit and vegetables
from Victorian times
Find out how local people saved Hill Close Gardens
from destruction
Relax with tea and homemade cakes in our amazing
'green' Hill Close Centre
