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Goathurst Gardens

Two gardens in the picturesque village of Goathurst on the edge of the Quantock Hills linked by a common history. The gardens at Halswell Park are a history of garden design in England, with a knot garden created to reflect an original C16 design, a walled garden and Georgian pleasure gardens with follies, bridges and ponds. The garden of the Temple of Pan surrounds an C18 baroque folly built as part of Halswell Park's Georgian pleasure gardens, now with herbaceous borders, lawns, ponds and woodland gardens.

Owner Info

Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens
Goathurst Gardens

About Goathurst Gardens

At Halswell House, we start at the formal and structured knot garden, laid out in front of the Elizabethan Manor House, with views out to the pre-Georgian parkland beyond. The Baroque-faced wing of the house is set within a classic Georgian pastoral idyll, overlooked by classical temples. There is also a walled Dovecote garden planted out in 2023 and [ ].The Georgian pleasure gardens in Mill Wood, with its follies, bridges, and ponds set in a rolling valley, are filled with newly-planted trees. The Temple of Pan is situated in a shallow coombe dominated by a Georgian folly built as part of the Halswell estate. It is made up of 4 acres of lawns, herbaceous borders, a large pond and woodland gardens including a hydrangea garden. There are fine views of the surrounding countryside and distant views of the Bristol Channel. Please note that there is a few minutes walk from the parking The Temple of Pan to the garden. Only disabled parking at the garden. The garden is steep in places.

Goathurst Gardens features

Location details

Goathurst Gardens,
Bridgwater,
Somerset,
TA5 2DF

Directions to Goathurst Gardens
Parking available at Halswell House & near the Temple of Pan. Disabled parking only at the Temple of Pan.

Goathurst Gardens openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake. Refreshments in aid of Goathurst Village Hall & Goathurst Church.
Admission Adult: £7.50
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Tea, coffee & cake. Refreshments in aid of Goathurst Village Hall & Goathurst Church.
Admission Adult: £7.50
Child: Free
Opening times 14:00-17:00

Accessibility

  • Halswell knot gardens has wheelchair access to most areas. Some but not all of the gardens at The Temple of Pan are wheelchair accessible.
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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Goathurst Gardens at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Goathurst Gardens. 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.

Yes, one or more routes at Goathurst Gardens are accessible to wheelchair users.

Goathurst Gardens is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.