Upton Wold is a historic estate located in the Cotswolds region of England, featuring a stunning 17th-century country house surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and rolling hills. The estate offers scenic walking trails, a picturesque lake, and a charming village with traditional stone cottages. Visitors can explore the house, which boasts impressive architecture, ornate furnishings, and an extensive art collection, or enjoy outdoor activities such as horse riding, fishing, and picnicking.
In September 2023 I booked a group visit for our garden club to take place May 2024. I was told that the "tour" is compulsory for groups at an EXTRA cost (ie on top of the entrance fee) of PS70. The tour was to be with "the owner or their gardener". On arrival (not before) we were told the owner was not available and another member of staff would take the tour. By their own admission "I am not a plants person" - no they certainly were not! The tour was rushed and we were given no time to linger or explore. Our questions could not be answered, those at the back of the group could hear nothing and were not waited for. Toilet facilities were not pointed out. The garden seemed quite nice, but it was not really very special. An e-mail to the tour guide and letter to the owner elicited no apologies at all for our disappointment, in fact the owner's response was curt to the point of rudeness. My advice - don't waste your money, there are better gardens with more welcoming staff and owners.
Our visit to this garden was totally spoilt by the rude and unwelcoming owners. On arrival we followed the map to use the toilet as we had come a long way. The lady owner was very disapproving of this and asked us to "be quick about it and not tell anyone else where it was"! Her husband who we encountered shortly afterwards was SO rude..one of our party had mentioned in passing that the lock on the toilet door didn't work properly - the owner started shouting that we were lucky to have a lavatory and if we didn't like it we should go somewhere else!! He was also heard asking visitors if they belonged to HHA then said "I can tell your type a mile off, I'm sorry I ever got involved with that organisation". If the owners don't want visitors then they shouldn't open their gardens.
A totally unpleasant experience caused by, believe it or not - the owner. Arrogant and bombastic, he stands guard on toilet duty, vetting visitors who need to use the one and only toilet, pre-war outhouse style, as he verbally indicates his dislike towards HHA members. He shouts he can spot them a mile off. If you can get dispensation to use the toilet, he tells you to 'go quickly'. His wife is also learning the trade, she told our companions to use it quickly, but tell no-one where it is. If you like abuse and enjoy bullying tactics, then this is the place to go, otherwise find the plenty of fantastic places around the area who offer a warm welcome and actually encourage visitors. In 2022 the HHA judges awarded excellence for Upton Wold. The owner must have paid then off. Our advice - do the right thing and lock your gates permanently.
Very nice, well maintained and established traditional Cotswolds style garden with lots of beautiful early spring flowers like snowdrops, dwarf irises, winter aconites, various crocuses, hellebores and daffodils. Well worth a visit when in the area.
This review is based on the entry cost of PS15 pp, although as an Historic House member I gained free entry. The gardens were interesting, but not overwhelming. The facilities were non existent. The toilets were through an old building that had no lights, and uneven steps and floor, so we decided not to venture in to find them. There was a tea room marked on the map, but the building was empty, did not look like a tea room and clearly closed. There were no signs to show where you were in the garden or how to find the exit etc. it's only open one day a week and the owners obviously put no effort into providing a memorable experience for visitors. It seems to be a cheap attempt to make some money for no cost. Very disappointing. Certainly not worth the price.
Glorious Gardens. Lots to take the eye.
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In September 2023 I booked a group visit for our garden club to take place May 2024. I was told that the "tour" is compulsory for groups at an EXTRA cost (ie on top of the entrance fee) of PS70. The tour was to be with "the owner or their gardener". On arrival (not before) we were told the owner was not available and another member of staff would take the tour. By their own admission "I am not a plants person" - no they certainly were not! The tour was rushed and we were given no time to linger or explore. Our questions could not be answered, those at the back of the group could hear nothing and were not waited for. Toilet facilities were not pointed out. The garden seemed quite nice, but it was not really very special. An e-mail to the tour guide and letter to the owner elicited no apologies at all for our disappointment, in fact the owner's response was curt to the point of rudeness. My advice - don't waste your money, there are better gardens with more welcoming staff and owners.
Our visit to this garden was totally spoilt by the rude and unwelcoming owners. On arrival we followed the map to use the toilet as we had come a long way. The lady owner was very disapproving of this and asked us to "be quick about it and not tell anyone else where it was"! Her husband who we encountered shortly afterwards was SO rude..one of our party had mentioned in passing that the lock on the toilet door didn't work properly - the owner started shouting that we were lucky to have a lavatory and if we didn't like it we should go somewhere else!! He was also heard asking visitors if they belonged to HHA then said "I can tell your type a mile off, I'm sorry I ever got involved with that organisation". If the owners don't want visitors then they shouldn't open their gardens.
A totally unpleasant experience caused by, believe it or not - the owner. Arrogant and bombastic, he stands guard on toilet duty, vetting visitors who need to use the one and only toilet, pre-war outhouse style, as he verbally indicates his dislike towards HHA members. He shouts he can spot them a mile off. If you can get dispensation to use the toilet, he tells you to 'go quickly'. His wife is also learning the trade, she told our companions to use it quickly, but tell no-one where it is. If you like abuse and enjoy bullying tactics, then this is the place to go, otherwise find the plenty of fantastic places around the area who offer a warm welcome and actually encourage visitors. In 2022 the HHA judges awarded excellence for Upton Wold. The owner must have paid then off. Our advice - do the right thing and lock your gates permanently.
Very nice, well maintained and established traditional Cotswolds style garden with lots of beautiful early spring flowers like snowdrops, dwarf irises, winter aconites, various crocuses, hellebores and daffodils. Well worth a visit when in the area.
This review is based on the entry cost of PS15 pp, although as an Historic House member I gained free entry. The gardens were interesting, but not overwhelming. The facilities were non existent. The toilets were through an old building that had no lights, and uneven steps and floor, so we decided not to venture in to find them. There was a tea room marked on the map, but the building was empty, did not look like a tea room and clearly closed. There were no signs to show where you were in the garden or how to find the exit etc. it's only open one day a week and the owners obviously put no effort into providing a memorable experience for visitors. It seems to be a cheap attempt to make some money for no cost. Very disappointing. Certainly not worth the price.
Glorious Gardens. Lots to take the eye.
