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CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE
Hill Close Gardens were nearly destroyed a few years ago but the
locals petitioned the powers that be and prevented this happening. In
Easter 2007 the restoration work was completed and the gardens opened to
the public.
Work still continues in improving the gardens and especially some of the
summerhouses, many of which are listed buildings in their own right. |
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There are 16 individual gardens each bounded by a hedges and fences.
Strangely, the gardens start at number 7 and finish at number 31 with
missing numbers in between. Presumably some of the original gardens have
been lost forever. The gardens were originally owned by Warwick
shopkeepers in Victorian times. They had no gardens attached to the
shops they owned so they used Hill Close Gardens. Some of the gardens
would have been, and still are, devoted to vegetables (see left), others
would contain more ornamental flowers. Many of them have the original
summer houses and these are open for you to sit in and contemplate the
beautiful garden views. |
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The Victorians loved their fruit gardens, with a special
interest in a variety of apple trees. A walk round Hill Close
Gardens reveals lots of old forgotten apple tree varieties.
These make garden of special interest in late August to
September.
On the left is the variety Herrings Pippin, a 1908 variety
from Lincoln. On the right is a very old variety, Devonshire
Quarrenden. This variety was noted as far back as 1676 and bred
in Devon. |
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With a low entrance fee Hill Close Gardens are well worth a visit if you have
any interest in gardening. The paths are inevitably a bit uneven and narrow in
places so access for wheelchair users is restricted. There is a suggested route
in the leaflet where the paths are flat and wide enough for a wheelchair, but it
only covers about half of the gardens.
Kids are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult. They will also
enjoy a walk round these gardens. Toilet facilities (baby changing and disabled
are there as well) are on site as is a cafe serving snacks and coffees.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR HILL CLOSE GARDENS
Location
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Bread and Meat Close, Warwick, CV34 6HF.
Click here for a map.
Telephone 01926 493339
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Opening Hours
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Open from Easter Weekend to the last weekend in October.
Fridays and Sundays: 2pm to 5pm
Saturdays: 11am to 5pm
Bank Holidays: 11am to 5pm
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Entrance Charges
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Adults £3
Children under 12 years free
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Disabled Access
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Limited. A suggested route for wheelchair users is available in the
leaflet which is given at the entrance
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Other Websites
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www.hillclosegardens.com
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