Originally built in the 16th century, the house has remained largely unchanged since the early 17th century, though the gardens have undergone many changes in that time. Most recently a variety of owners have undertaken major garden renovations which culminated with the opening to the public for the first time in 1987.

Today it is an award winner as both a classically beautiful English Cotswolds garden and a prime visitor attraction, and it's not hard to see why.

The gardening team at Bourton House seem to have a pandora's box of skills and it is a delight to encounter them on a sunny summer's day.

Starting with the Topiary Walk where neat gravel paths lead past crisp spirals, cones, buns and buttresses of Yew and Box, interspersed with terracotta pots overflowing with white daisies. Thick stone walls provide protection while contrasting foliage fills the opposite borders, along with an abundance of white flowers including Anemone, Abutilon, Romneya, Centranthus, Syringa and Argyranthemum. 

A small pond provides a restful focal point and a home to some lovely water lilies too.

The Main Lawn and Borders provide the heart to this garden and the borders are the lifeblood, planted as they are in a riot of warm colours and cannot fail to lift the spirits of any visitor. These ultra deep borders overflow with exuberance and demonstrate a great skill, not just in colour selection but texture and size. 

Crocosmia dominate though Helenium, Hemerocallis, Dahlia and Ligularia all play their part in creating the richest of tapestries alongside these immaculate lawns. 

A raised terrace at the rear provides more opportunity for borders, this time cooler coloured, along with elevated views out across the fields towards Sezincote.

The Shade House is a small but delightful stopover on your way round to the Parterre garden. 

This much photographed Parterre has been created in an angular, Chinese pattern and features a striking central raised pond complete with rushes and other aquatic plants. 

Quite deservedly, it tends to be the 'Headline' photo for Bourton House as it succeeds purely on crisp topiary, rather than trying to add floral colour in between. 

It is indeed a triumph, not too large, but still impressive, especially when the skies are clear and the shapes accentuated by the contrasting light.

A Scent Garden close to the house also ultiises box parterre to strong effect to enclose beds of fragrant flowers and herbs. 

Then back along the front of the house, past giant pots and beds overflowing with lavender to more colourful borders alongside the greenhouse.

Snuggled alongside is one of the most delightful, if small, Kitchen Gardens you are likely to see. 

Again parterre box provides symmetrical edging to beds jam packed with produce ready for harvesting.

Although this might sound like a guided tour description, there is so much that has not been described. So many pots and planters, trellises, espalliers and archways, immaculate stone pathways and of course a wonderful selection of plants.

For the keen botanist and gardener, Bourton House is extremely rewarding as you will see so many plants well positioned, grown and maintained. But the average day visitor will also glean so much in pure enjoyment from a garden so beautifully designed, planted and presented.

Take your time, walk slowly, soak it up, this is the art of English Gardening at its very best.