Discover Westbury-on-Severn

Westbury-on-Severn is a destination for travellers who want to bring garden art, a connection with the river, and impressions of church history together in one travel experience. Westbury Court Garden is particularly striking: the grounds combine a garden design with tangible historical traces and a footpath to the River Severn. This gives you ideas for a holiday where discoveries and a carefully planned daily itinerary go hand in hand.

Garden art with historic character

Westbury Court Garden was originally laid out between 1696 and 1705. The original design included canals, a circular pool, topiary, and kitchen gardens. These elements give the garden a clear design concept that can be seen in different forms during a tour. The grounds have been restored to resemble how they are believed to have looked during their heyday in the 1720s. Anyone interested in historic gardens can therefore observe not only plants and paths here, but also understand the connection between design and the past.

A special attraction for visitors interested in culture is the Tall Pavilion. Black-and-white engravings of the garden by Johannes Kip from 1707 can be seen there. The images offer their own way into the history of the grounds and complement the impression created by the garden itself. There is also a notable botanical and landscape feature: Westbury Court Garden has the largest collection of black poplars owned by the National Trust. For families, this combination of garden spaces, historic images, and distinctive trees can appeal to different interests, without everyone having to share the same focus.

Footpath to the River Severn and orientation on site

A footpath leads from Westbury Court Garden to the River Severn. If you would like to combine a visit to the gardens with a walk, you can include this route in your daily itinerary. The parish of Westbury-on-Severn is bounded by the River Severn to the south and west. The river is therefore an important geographical reference point for understanding the location and adds a landscape perspective to the historic impressions of the garden and church.

There are also clear reference points for getting there. Westbury on Severn is located on the A48 between Gloucester and Chepstow. Bus routes 22 and 23 between Gloucester and Coleford pass through the village of Westbury on Severn. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house, these details can be included in your considerations about your journey and the location you want. Someone focusing on garden art and the River Severn will plan differently from someone who mainly wants to take road or bus connections into account. The choice of accommodation should therefore suit your personal daily rhythm and the excursions you have planned.

Church and seasonal highlight

The cultural side of Westbury-on-Severn also includes the Church of St Peter and St Paul. It is a parish church dating from the early 14th century and was restored in 1862 and 1878. Its architectural history creates a different emphasis from the garden: while Westbury Court Garden represents the design of outdoor space and the idea of an earlier heyday, the church points to the long history of the village. Another special tradition is the invitation for visitors to tea on summer Sunday afternoons at the church “St Peter, St Paul and St Mary”. If you plan your trip for this period, this event can provide an additional cultural attraction.

The right base for planning your trip

When looking for a holiday rental in Westbury-on-Severn, it is worth first deciding what kind of stay you want. If you are mainly interested in historic garden art, Westbury Court Garden, the Tall Pavilion, and the engravings by Johannes Kip take centre stage. If the trip should also include walking and a connection with the river, the footpath to the River Severn belongs in your plans. For those interested in cultural history, the Church of St Peter and St Paul and the summer tea invitation offer another focus.

Also take the A48 and bus routes 22 and 23 into account, along with the experiences you prefer. This allows you to base your choice between a holiday apartment and a holiday house on the idea for your trip, without reducing the village to just one attraction.

Further places for planning your trip

If you would also like to compare other destinations, you can find further places here for your selection: Cinderford, Bream, Newent, Flaxley, Yorkley, Stow On The Wold, Eastleach, Stroud.

For the main travel overview: Gloucestershire.