Iford Manor
Photo: Scott Wylie / CC BY-SA 4.0, modified.
Overview
The Japanese Garden at Iford Manor is a small Japanese-inspired garden area within the Grade I listed Peto Garden at Iford Manor near Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England. The wider garden was designed mainly by Harold Peto, who lived at Iford from 1899 to 1933, and is best known for its Italianate terraces, architectural fragments, sculpture, pools and rural valley setting. The Japanese Garden should be understood as one element within Peto’s wider eclectic garden composition, which blends Italian, Byzantine, ancient Roman and Oriental influences.
History
Iford Manor has medieval and Georgian origins, but the garden seen today was largely shaped by Harold Peto after he acquired the property in 1899. Peto transformed the hillside terraces and surrounding spaces into a highly architectural Edwardian garden, drawing on his international travels and interest in historic garden traditions. Later owners, especially the Cartwright-Hignett family from the 1960s onward, restored and continued the development of the garden, including work on the Japanese Garden, woodland walks and ageing garden areas.
Design features
The Japanese Garden forms part of Iford Manor’s wider sequence of terraces, paths, pools, sculpture and architectural garden rooms. Current and historical descriptions present the whole garden as an eclectic composition combining Italianate structure with Oriental design influences. The Japanese Garden is described as a tranquil feature within the garden, but available official and visitor sources give limited detail on its individual layout or planting. It is therefore best recorded as a Japanese-inspired garden area within a larger Edwardian architectural garden rather than as a fully independent traditional Japanese garden.
Garden elements
Buildings
Waters and islands
Stones
Other elements
Current status
The Japanese Garden remains part of Iford Manor Gardens, which are open to visitors seasonally with advance booking recommended. The wider estate is currently managed by the Cartwright-Hignett family and operates as a historic garden attraction with events, restaurant and bakery facilities. Current visitor sources describe Iford Manor as a Grade I listed garden open on selected days during the garden season. (2026)