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New for 2023


Partner Garden
Free access for RHS members at selected times

Kilver Court
Kilver Street
Shepton Mallet
Somerset
BA4 5NF

Signed off main A37, on the outskirts of Shepton Mallet.

3.5 acres

Tel
01749 705289

Visit website

Opening Hours

Please see website for opening dates and times.

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies Wed and Thur, 1 Mar–30 Sep and Thur–Sun, 1 Oct–28 Feb.

Facilities

  • Assistance dogs only
  • Parking
  • Plant sales
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets

Features

  • Autumn colour
  • Colour themed borders
  • Organic management
  • Pond or lake
  • Rock garden

About the garden

Owned by
The Showering Family

New for 2023: Kilver Court is based on an award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, designed by multi-Gold-medal winner George Whitelegg. The gardens were rebuilt in the late 1950s under the stewardship of Herbert Showering, whose passion for gardens is shared with his grandchildren, who now own these special gardens.

Set within 3.5 acres of grounds on the edge of the historic market town of Shepton Mallet, Kilver Court was a former mill, with two large mill ponds once used to power the silk-making factory, now ornamental ponds, which support an array of wildlife. On entering Kilver Court, the centrepiece box parterre has Gertrude Jekyll and Blue For You roses.

Surrounded by four herbaceous borders that include the rich wine foliage of the Cotinus and the Cynara, and enclosed by yew hedges, the magnificent view of the old Somerset and Dorset railway viaduct is what draws the attention. This Victorian masterpiece has 27 arches and is 15.24m tall. Originally a single track then expanded, the structure frames the garden, giving the perfect setting for the large rockery, planted with a mixture of conifers, acers, heathers and alpines.

The waterfall that runs through the rockery is softened with hostas, primula, and astilbes. Behind the viaduct is a 115m colourist graduated border. Designed by Roger Saul, the border drifts between yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, silver and white, incorporating many southern Hemisphere plants. Finished in 2017, this has matured into a pleasing mixture of colour, shapes and texture. Kilver Court also has a small no-dig vegetable garden, with the produce used in the café.

Please note: This is a partially accessible garden (most of the garden is accessible but some parts are not easily accessible).

Plants of special interest

  • Agapanthus
  • Alliums
  • Alpines
  • Asters
  • Autumn bulbs
  • Cacti & succulents
  • Camellias
  • Clematis
  • Conifers
  • Cornus (for winter stems or spring bracts)
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodils
  • Dahlias
  • Ferns
  • Fruit bushes/trees
  • Fuchsias
  • Grasses
  • Heathers
  • Hellebores
  • Hemerocallis
  • Herbs
  • Hostas
  • Irises
  • Laburnum
  • Lavender
  • Magnolias
  • Maple
  • Primulas
  • Rhododendrons/azaleas
  • Roses
  • Shade-loving plants
  • Snowdrops
  • Spring bulbs
  • Sweet peas
  • Topiary
  • Vegetables
  • Waterlilies

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.