Pretty garden walks don’t need to break the bank, and this one in Oxfordshire is free to enjoy.
Just over 10 minutes from Chipping Norton is Wychwood Wild Garden, a “beautiful woodland and garden”.
One of its visitors, known as on Instagram, said you can expect “12.5 acres of woodland walks where you can follow the streams to reach ponds lined with draping willow trees — it’s like something from a fairytale on a sunny day.”
What’s more, she says you don’t need a National Trust membership to enjoy its beauty as it’s not owned by the organisation – in fact, it won’t cost you a penny.
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That’s unless you decide to donate to help maintain it.
The garden’s website explains: “The Wild Garden is maintained by local volunteers together with funds from subscriptions and donations.
“We incur annual running costs of between £4,000 and £7,000.
“Please become a Member to guarantee the long term future of the Wild Garden.”
Wychwood Wild Garden in Oxfordshire is ‘so peaceful’ to visit
Sharing a video of the ponds and ducks swimming, said: “I reckon this might be one of the prettiest garden walks in the UK and it’s free…”
The garden’s website says: “The Wychwood Wild Garden is a beautiful woodland and garden, close to the centre of Shipton-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire.
“Its 12.5 acres of avenues, woods and ponds much of which was laid out in the 1860’s, is home to wild life and many breeds of ducks and birds.
“It is a private garden, owned and managed by a local charity and offered as a place of peace and tranquillity to local residents, guests and visitors to the area.”
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It continues: “Entering the Wild Garden through the wrought iron gates, restored in 2010, you see the Lime Avenue stretching ahead of you.
“A hundred Limes, some over 250 years old, grace the entrance to a magical place.
“At the end of the avenue is the Round Pond – actually elliptical, you have to stand on the bridge to see it Round!
“A view of the magnificent Cedar of Lebanon, possibly over 300 years old takes your breath away.
“Above the Round Pond is what was originally the fish pond for Shipton Court, now home to ducks and moorhens and shrouded by willows.
“Turning down stream are the canals, leading over three waterfalls and eventually flowing on down to the Evenlode.
A brief history of the National Trust
“Woodland areas are left relatively untouched to allow nature to manage the environment.
“The Wild Garden provides something for everyone.”
Is Wychwood Wild Garden worth visiting?
Visitors have been impressed with the gardens, sharing their experiences on Tripadvisor.
With a staggering 4.8-star rating, visitors have praised its beauty and enjoyed spotting wildlife such as deer, robins, and blue tits.
One said: “So peaceful. Went twice in the week we were there.
“All you can hear is birdsong and water. Little gem”.
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This person said: “Lovely walk in the morning, lucky to see some small deer.
“I think possibly muntjac deer, which are very small.
“They kept their distance but didn’t seem too concerned to our presence.”
Someone else commented: “Lovely tranquil place to wander around the paths with a large pond towards the rear.
“Some tracks may get messy when wet. Well worth a visit.”
Have you been to Wychwood Wild Garden? Let us know in the comments.