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).
