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Unlock the Gate to The Year of the Cotswold Garden

Visitors to the Cotswolds are being given a unique opportunity throughout 2007 to open up a secret world and discover some of the UK's finest gardens.

The Cotswold's offer a fantastic array of  garden jewels including several internationally loved 'superstar gardens' such as Painswick Rococo Garden and Hidcote.

 "2007 - The Year of the Cotswold Garden" is Inspired by the 100th Anniversary of world-famous National Trust  garden, Hidcote Manor (pictured above). The year long celebrations offer the chance to see behind the  scenes at more than 25 of the area's most treasured gardens.

As well as a new exhibition at Hidcote for 2007, unique activities and events will be taking place throughout the Cotswolds. Head gardeners will offer tips, former Chelsea judges will conduct personal tours and visits, the renowned naked gardeners of Malmesbury will take care of pruning and organic food demonstrations will take place.

(Sudeley Castle)

The celebrations will also give visitors the opportunity to delve behind the famous Cotswolds dry stone walls and unlock the secrets of many privately owned gardens, as they prepare to open up to the public as part of the  National Gardens Scheme, The Yellow Book (www.ngs.org.uk)

For a small charge, visitors can view private gardens and often chat with the gardeners - a great way to pick up gardening pointers. Local horticultural events from village fetes to flower shows will also be taking place throughout the year as part of the celebrations.

The gardens participating include Kiftsgate Court Gardens (pictured below), Painswick Rococo, Sudeley Castle, Westonbirt Arboretum and Hidcote Manor, to name but a few, and each will be organising a whole host of events throughout the year  which can be viewed on the www.cotswolds.com website or viewed in the Gardens Guide 2007, available from Tourist Information Centres.

Below is just a taste of what's on throughout 2007 in The Cotswolds:

• January: Rose Pruning Demonstration Morning at Kiftsgate Court Garden
• February: Snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Garden
• March: Blenheim Palace Garden Tour
• April: Meet the Gardener with a tour of stream garden, Hidcote Manor
• May: Natural Gardening for Beginners, Snowshill Manor
• June: Readers Day on Herbs, "The English Garden", Mill Dene Garden
• July: HDRA Organic Gardening Weekend; Sudeley Castle
• August: Bourton-on-the-Water Horticultural Show
• September: Putting the Garden to Bed at Snowshill Manor Gardens
• October: A Tale of Two Parks, Parmore House, Cheltenham
• November: Autumn Lecture Lunches at Hidcote Manor Garden
• December: Enchanted Christmas, Westonbirt Arboretum

Visitors can find out more by visiting www.cotswolds.com to view a calendar of events, by ordering a brochure online, or by dropping into  local Tourist Information Centres to pick up a Gardens Guide brochure. Brochures are also available by calling 01452 425673. Web users can download discounted admission vouchers valid for 2007.

© Reckless Gardener Magazine 2005 - 2006 Mill Cottage New Media