Gardens

FONTHILL HOUSE GARDEN OPEN DAYS IN 2026

Sunday 26^th April in aid of the National Garden Scheme – you can buy tickets here

Saturday 4^th July the gardens are being opened to host a Rare Plant Fair

Fonthill house gardens are set in the idyllic rolling countryside of South Wiltshire

The house is set within 12 acres of varied gardens, designed by Tania Compton. The formal gardens nearest the house consist of billowing borders, planted with romantic cottage garden classics. The walled sunken garden is a riot of colour; filled with exotic dahlias and salvias, framed by Brugmansia, Tetrapanax and Musa, while a cool and dark fern cave is set within the bastion wall. Fonthill House is also home to the National Collection of Crassula, arranged by botanical section and housed within a greenhouse. A terraced kitchen garden is filled with seasonal produce and complimented by mixed orchard with extensive local varieties. The terrace surrounding the house has magnificent views over the gardens, whilst displaying the house collection of species Pelargoniums amongst other seasonal highlights.

The house also boasts an impressive Himalayan-hillside woodland garden, filled with a collection of unusual Magnolias and Rhododendrons, complemented by specimen ancient oaks and a riot of bluebells in the Spring. Designed by Marie-Louise Agius, this part of the garden will transport you from deepest Wiltshire to the highest Himalayas. A wildflower meadow separates the house from the Deer Park and Fonthill lake beyond, filled with native wildflowers and still managed traditionally by scythe. There are several wild honeybee colonies just in this part of the garden alone, one of which resides in the fabulous ‘Rocket Hive’ and stands proudly in the middle of the meadow.

The gardens are a haven for the 3rd Lord Margadale of Islay and his family. With the help of his Head Gardener, Jack Greenwood, and his two Assistant Gardeners, the aim is to build on the legacy left by previous generations of the Morrison family to conserve and continuously enhance these beautiful gardens.