Kilver Court Gardens

Monday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm
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General information

Adults: £7.50 per person
Senior Citizen: £5.50 per person
Concession: £5.50 per person
Family Tickets: £20 (2 adults & 2 children)
Group Deal: £20 (4 adults) Children (aged 12 & over): £5 (children under 12 go free)

Larger group bookings of 20 and above must pay in one transaction or by invoice prior to visiting.
Sorry, no dogs are allowed, except assistance dogs.

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RHS Members

RHS members free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies Thursday-Sunday 1st October-28th February, and Wednesday-Thursday 1st March-30th September.

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Accessibility

Due to the nature of the site, disabled access is limited. Please phone our Duty Manager on 07442 879896 before you visit us and we can help you plan your day and the best route for exploring Kilver Court and accessing the areas you wish.

Visitor Information

History

In the late 19th century, Ernest Jardine, MP for East Somerset, created ‘Jardine’s Park’ for his workers, featuring gardens, allotments and a boating lake. The iconic Charlton railway viaduct, built in 1874, also stands as a key part of the site's history.

Herbert Showering, of Babycham fame, purchased the site in the 1950s, making significant changes to the gardens, including a rockery designed by Chelsea Flower Show winner, George Whitelegg. The site was then expanded and developed by Rodger Saul, founder of Mulberry, who the custodian of Kilver for 25 years.

Today, Kilver Court is owned again by the Showering family, who continue to celebrate its Babycham legacy, blending rich history with modern retail and cultural events.

Image: Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, inspecting George Whitelegg’s rockery garden exhibit at the first RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 1913. Courtesy of RHS.

Queen Mary and George Whitelegg in 1913 at the first ever Chelsea Flower show

Garden features

A view of the colourful rockery with the historical viaduct in the background

Rockery

The rockery at Kilver Court was designed by gold-medal-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer, George Whitelegg. Built using sandstone boulders carried by Babycham lorries, it creates a stunning landscape with a mix of conifers, Japanese acers, and seasonal blooms.

A birds-eye view of the parterre

Parterre

Originally a rose garden, the Parterre was redesigned in 1996 with French geometric patterns. The interior is filled with vibrant Gertrude Jekyll roses, while surrounding herbaceous borders offer a beautiful contrast of colours and textures.

A view of the viaduct with the blue lake

Viaduct

The Charlton railway viaduct, designed by engineer John Fowler, was built in 1874 as part of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway’s extension. Spanning 317 yards, it is an iconic historical element to the gardens.

Why people love our gardens

★★★★★

This place is absolutely amazing. The gardens are like something out of a fairytale.

★★★★★

The most immaculately kept gardens. A delight to walk around. Well worth the visit.

★★★★★

A wonderful haven to escape to. My only regret is that I don't live near enough to visit all the time!

★★★★★

A beautiful place. Set with the viaduct as a backdrop, on different levels, this garden is well manicured and full of wonderful colours.

★★★★★

The gardens here are beautiful! We live locally so bought a membership which makes it more affordable to enjoy them regularly.

★★★★★

Beautiful gardens. Full of interest in every season. Amazing setting with the backdrop of an enormous viaduct. Also on site is a lovely garden centre, cafe and boutique shops.

Become a member

Join Kilver Court and Gardens as a member and enjoy unlimited access to Kilver Court Gardens all year round.

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