Skip to content

Awkward Hill Cottage

An ever-evolving country garden in one of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds, designed by its owner, an award-winning garden writer, to reflect the local landscape and encourage wildlife. Planting contributes year-round interest with lots of colour and texture for sunny and shady areas. Pond and waterfall, chickens.

Owner Info

Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage
Awkward Hill Cottage

About Awkward Hill Cottage

Roughly an acre in size, the garden is designed to harmonise with the surrounding landscape, and to offer flowers and foliage interest year-round, from snowdrops and hellebores in late winter through to asters, sedums and grasses in the autumn. This is not just because it looks pretty, but also to provide food and shelter for wildlife, such as birds, bees and butterflies.
A wildlife pond with a waterfall is home to frogs and toads, while insects can forage among the pollinator-friendly plants that dominate the borders, such as nepeta, sedums, asters and hardy geraniums. 2024’s additions included extended dry shade planting beneath mature trees on the south-east side of the garden, and replanting at the top of the garden, where we also found a well!The chickens joined the garden team in 2022 in their own run beneath the horse chestnut tree.
The owner, a journalist, is author of Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds, Great Gardens of London and The Secret Gardeners.

Location details

Awkward Hill Cottage,
Bibury,
Gloucestershire,
GL7 5NH

Directions to Awkward Hill Cottage
No parking at property, or on Hawkers Hill or Awkward Hill, (both narrow lanes). Best to park in village & walk past Arlington Row up Awkward Hill, or up Hawkers Hill from Catherine Wheel pub.

Awkward Hill Cottage openings

A group opening is when a number of gardens open together on the same day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £12.00
Child: Free
Opening times 15:00-19:30

A group opening is when a number of gardens open together on the same day.

Refreshments Home-made teas.
Admission Adult: £12.00
Child: Free
Opening times 10:00-14:30

Visit by Arrangement

This garden opens for By Arrangement visits from 19 May to 20 July for groups of between 10 and 30.

Please contact the garden owner to discuss your requirements and arrange a date for a group or bespoke visit.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake.
Admission Adult: £15.00
Child: Free

Accessibility

  • Garden is on a slope and there are uneven surfaces and steps. Lanes leading to the garden are very steep and there is no parking nearby.
  • Share this garden

Other Gardens of Potential Interest

Don’t miss out

Sign up to our weekly newsletter to hear more about the gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme, events and activities throughout the year

Sign up to our newsletter

FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Awkward Hill Cottage at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Awkward Hill Cottage. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

There are no plants for sale for the time being.

Sorry, Awkward Hill Cottage does not yet accommodate wheelchair users.

Yes. Awkward Hill Cottage seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.