Bucks &amp; Oxon


<p>Whether you’re chasing garden inspo, craving a mindful mooch, or just fancy a good snoop around someone else’s flowerbeds (guilty), the <a href="https://ngs.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Garden Scheme</a> has you covered. This much-loved annual event throws open the gates to some of the most beautiful – and normally off-limits – private gardens in the country. From manor house lawns to working flower farms and Oxford’s secret college quads, we’ve picked out the dreamiest local plots for a wander in the sunshine this month. And if you can&#8217;t make it over to <a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/chelsea-flower-show/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Chelsea Flower Show</a>, these exclusive green spots will scratch your horticultural itch. Clippers out and off we go – just note that many are &#8216;one day wonders&#8217; so it could pay to book ahead, especially if the forecast&#8217;s looking fine. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upper-bolney-house-henley-on-thames"><a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/upper-bolney-house-rg9/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upper Bolney House</a>, Henley-on-Thames</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Upper-Bolney.jpg" alt="Upper Bolney House nfs" class="wp-image-204354" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Upper-Bolney.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Upper-Bolney-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 24 May</strong></p>



<p>There’s real bang for your buck at Upper Bolney. There’s a new South African garden among the four acres and something to please budding florists and kitchen gardeners alike with wildflower meadows, tropical flowers and a gorgeous greenhouse. Admire the herbaceous borders from the lawns or terrace and take a stroll around the rose garden, and don’t leave the petrolheads at home: they’ll love the historic racing cars on display.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foscote-manor-foscott-near-buckingham"><a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/foscote-manor-mk1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foscote Manor</a>, Foscott, near Buckingham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="495" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Foscote-Manor.jpg" alt="Foscote Manor nfs" class="wp-image-204355" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Foscote-Manor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Foscote-Manor-800x396.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Foscote-Manor-400x198.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 24 May</strong></p>



<p>Foodies will love Foscote: the 40 acre estate boasts a restored walled kitchen garden at its heart, bursting with fruit, veg herbs and flowers. The waterway, lake and wildflower meadow meanwhile draw in the fauna: heron, egret, kingfisher, swans and Canada geese all make their home here. Take in the bucolic scene over a cup of freshly brewed tea – heaven.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barton-abbey-steeple-barton-oxfordshire"><a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/barton-abbey-ox2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barton Abbey</a>, Steeple Barton, Oxfordshire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="533" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Barton-Abbey.jpg" alt="Barton Abbey nfs" class="wp-image-204356" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Barton-Abbey.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Barton-Abbey-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 24 May</strong></p>



<p>Dog-friendly, with woodland garden paths and plants for sale, this 15 acre garden on the doorstep to the <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/travel-guides/rivals-style-cotswolds-travel-guide/">Cotswolds</a> is a gem. Chill by the lake, marvel and the colourful walled garden and indulge in a spot of tranquil forest bathing before poking around the glasshouse to plor what you might grow next. There’s tea, coffee and cake in aid of St Mary’s Church in the village.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hedderly-house-oxford"><a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/hedderly-house-ox1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hedderly House</a>, Oxford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Hedderly-House.jpg" alt="Hedderly House" class="wp-image-204357" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Hedderly-House.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Hedderly-House-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 24 May</strong></p>



<p>Hedderly House is a walkers’ paradise: there’s footpaths galore, grassy slopes for a touch of cardio and lavender and flowering shrubs for eye candy. The climbing plants are impressive too, plus there’s views for days and you can bring the dog.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-in-the-willows-higher-denham-buckinghamshire"><a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/wind-in-the-willows-ub9/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wind in the Willows</a>, Higher Denham, Buckinghamshire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Wind-Willows.jpg" alt="wind in willows ngs" class="wp-image-204358" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Wind-Willows.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Wind-Willows-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 24 May</strong></p>



<p>Wind in the Willows lived a previous life as a commercial watercress bed, but its owners have lovingly been tending to its magnificent garden for over 30 years, and they’re still at it. It’s a year-round delight with hellebores in the winter months, but when the weather gets warmer, you’ll want to gather by the river banks to see the iris or cross the ‘Monet’ bridge to a glade filled with acers, camellia, a pagoda tree and bamboo. Butterflies adore the meadows and kids will be into spotting the frogs and newts among the water lilies in the pond. The roses are in bloom too. It’s a nature haven and we can see how it earned its name.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-plough-aylesbury"><a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/the-plough-hp1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Plough</a>, Aylesbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="474" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Aylesbury.jpg" alt="Plough Aylesbury garden" class="wp-image-204359" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Aylesbury.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/Plough-Aylesbury-400x237.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 25 May</strong></p>



<p>The Plough goes big on homemade produce: you can pick up apple juice and jam made from fruit from the orchards and the cream teas in the barn and marquee aren’t to be missed (cash only). Once you’ve had your fill, explore the ‘outdoor rooms’ – the parterre, vegetable and fruit gardens and verdant borders. The hedges are so spick and span that you’ll be reaching for the shears to trim your own as soon as you get home.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wheatley-manor-oxfordshire-0"><a href="https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/10169/wheatley-manor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wheatley Manor</a>, Oxfordshire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="834" height="444" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-11-5.30.12-PM-1.png" alt="Wheatley Manor gardens" class="wp-image-190363" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-11-5.30.12-PM-1.png 834w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-11-5.30.12-PM-1-800x426.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-11-5.30.12-PM-1-400x213.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 834px) 100vw, 834px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Open: 31 May</strong></p>



<p>The house may be off-limits, but the Elizabethan garden more than makes up for it. Expect box walks, herbaceous borders, a rose-strewn lily pond and an orchard brimming with medlar and mulberry trees. Bring a sunhat and your Jane Austen fantasies.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/riverside-walks-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">13 beautiful riverside walks in Bucks &amp; Oxon</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire-may-2/">The 60 best things to do near you this month</a></li>



<li><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/may-half-term-activities-oxfordshire-buckinghamshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">35+ things to do with the kids this May half term</a></li>
</ul>


Hidden gems: the secret gardens to see in Bucks & Oxon this month

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