Waterperry combines garden design with architectural and cultural history. At its heart are the landscaped ornamental gardens of Waterperry Gardens, while fruit growing and the church of St Mary the Virgin tell other stories about the area. When choosing where to stay, it is worth considering these different highlights: the gardens, a historic church building, a gallery and seasonal stage performances each offer something distinct.
Gardens and fruit growing
Waterperry Gardens covers 20 acres of landscaped ornamental gardens. Within this area, the 200-foot herbaceous border is a single, clearly defined garden feature. These two measurements give a sense of different scales: the extent of the grounds and the length of one of its borders. This makes it possible to appreciate the garden both as a whole design and through specific details.
Waterperry Gardens also includes five acres of productive orchards, where around 60 varieties of apple grow. The apples are grown, harvested and made into juice on site. This adds a focus on cultivation and processing to the ornamental gardens. Visitors interested in horticulture and food will find a different perspective here from the designed flower beds: the orchards combine plant diversity with processing on site.
Church, horticultural history and culture
The church of St Mary the Virgin in Waterperry was built before the Norman Conquest of England. Its chancel contains a Saxon arch, and it also has glass dating from 1220. These details provide specific reference points from different periods in the area's architectural history. Beatrix Havergal founded the School of Horticulture for Ladies in Waterperry (1932–1971). Alongside the gardens and orchards, this history brings horticulture into focus not only as a form of design, but also as a field of study.
The Gallery at Waterperry Gardens is housed in a restored 18th-century barn, and admission is free. Waterperry Gardens’ museum displays medieval pottery found on the Waterperry Estate. These represent different cultural subjects: a gallery space in a historic building and pottery finds from the estate’s history. Museum hours vary; the usual opening period is listed as 11 am to 4 pm. Check the current opening times for the gallery and museum before your visit.
The gardens’ cultural programme also includes an amphitheatre. Several performances in opera, theatre and music take place there each year during the summer months. If you would like to plan your stay around a performance, check the dates in advance. This lets you plan your visit around a specific programme rather than relying only on the general summer period.
Getting there and finding your way around
One public transport option is the Oxford Bus Company’s route 400 from Oxford city centre to Church Road in Wheatley, followed by a taxi booked in advance. Bus arrangements can change, so check the timetable before travelling and arrange the taxi connection ahead of time. By car, Waterperry Gardens is 2.5 miles from the A40. From Wheatley, brown tourist signs bearing the symbol of the British Tourist Authority point the way.
Parking spaces for disabled drivers are available by the Tea Shop. Wet weather can make the River Walk difficult. Bear this in mind if you plan to include this walk in your visit. Travel and walking conditions involve different planning considerations: for the bus connection, you will need to book a taxi in advance; for the River Walk, the relevant factor is the weather. Along with the museum’s variable opening times and the performances held during the summer months, these tips can help you tailor the garden, cultural and nature experiences to your stay.
Discover more destinations: Church Handborough, Witney, Clifton Hampden, Didcot, Charlbury, Culham, Alvescot, Eynsham.
For the broader travel overview: Oxfordshire.
