Discover Waterperry: Gardens, History and Apple Culture

Waterperry combines carefully designed gardens, an unusual church history and vibrant culture to create a destination with many different discoveries. Anyone planning a trip to Waterperry can choose between garden art, apple culture, historical traces, exhibitions and summer performances. When looking for suitable holiday accommodation, it is therefore worth deciding first on the desired pace: Should the focus be on a day in the gardens, on culture and history, or on a varied programme of visits?

Garden Landscape and Apple Culture

Waterperry Gardens covers 20 acres of landscaped ornamental gardens. A notable feature is the impressive 200-foot-long herbaceous border. It also makes the gardens interesting for visitors specifically looking for garden art and distinctive plant displays. Waterperry Gardens also includes five acres of productive orchards. Around 60 apple varieties grow there. This figure should be understood as approximate and conveys the great diversity of the apple culture maintained there.

The apples are grown, harvested and processed into juice on site. In addition to the design of the ornamental gardens, Waterperry therefore offers a direct insight into the on-site processing of apples. Those wishing to combine nature, gardens and culinary themes during their trip will find a distinct focus here for planning their day.

Historical Traces, Art and Culture

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is part of Waterperry’s history. It was built in the period before the Norman Conquest of England. The chancel contains a Saxon arch, and glass dating from 1220 has also been preserved. These details make the church a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in the early architectural and art history of England.

The development of garden culture is also present in Waterperry: Beatrix Havergal founded her School of Horticulture for Ladies at Waterperry, operating from 1932 to 1971. The Gallery at Waterperry Gardens complements this thematic connection between place, design and history through its exhibition venue. The Gallery is housed in a restored 18th-century barn, and admission is free.

The museum at Waterperry Gardens displays medieval pottery found on the Waterperry Estate. The museum’s opening hours vary; the usual hours are stated as 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Anyone planning to visit the museum should take these changing times into account when organising the day. For families and other travel groups, this creates a choice of short cultural stops, a garden visit and independent exploration, without all programme points having to share the same focus.

Performances and Walks

The amphitheatre at Waterperry Gardens hosts opera, theatre and music performances. Several performances take place there each year during the summer months. A stay in Waterperry can therefore go beyond a traditional garden visit: Depending on the time of travel, a stroll can be combined with an evening cultural event. The specific performance is decisive for detailed planning.

Those who prefer getting around on foot can consider the River Walk. In wet weather, this route can be difficult. The River Walk is therefore a weather-dependent activity; the museum and Gallery offer a different focus for a visit. Parking spaces for drivers with disabilities are available at the Tea Shop.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

One option for arriving by public transport is Oxford Bus Company’s route 400 from Oxford city centre to Church Road in Wheatley, followed by a pre-booked taxi. Those arriving by car will find Waterperry Gardens 2.5 miles from the A40. From Wheatley, brown tourist signs bearing the symbol of the British tourist authority point the way.

When looking for holiday accommodation in Waterperry, you can therefore consider which days you mainly want to spend in the gardens, at cultural attractions or at events. The different destinations offer different reasons for travelling, while planning the journey becomes particularly important when combining public transport with a pre-booked taxi.

Choose More Destinations

If you would like to consider further destinations for your travel planning in addition to Waterperry: Hook Norton, Burford, Wantage, Watlington, Standlake, Dorchester, Oxford, Nettlebed.

For the higher-level travel overview: Oxfordshire.