Beautiful, almost hidden gem of a place. My only concern was that my 2 year old daughter has no concept of water safety and there were no lifeguards on duty.
December 2023
Attractive historic gardens are a delight to view, even on a wet winters day. Check what days the gardens are open before coming. There is an admission charge to enter the gardens. Tickets can be bought from the cafe which serves hot and cold beverages and delicious cakes.
November 2023
A lovely afternoon was had at Kilver Court.The Babycham Afternoon Tea was fantastic.A great event, well attended, great service and the music was an added bonus.Tables sympathetically laid out, it was also nice to mix with people.Thank you very muchDarren and Lisa
The three and a half acre gardens were first created in the late 19th century by Ernest Jardine (1859-1947), the Member of Parliament for East Somerset. Originally from Nottingham, he was an enlightened employer in the mould of other Victorian social reformers such as the Quaker Cadbury brothers at Bournville and Octavia Hill (one of the founders of the National Trust). He created a 'model factory; where he built lace-making machines and laid out the gardens (what he called 'Jardine's Park) for the benefit of his employees. he used the millponds as a boating lake and gave over the surrounding gardens for the workers' recreation. Fruit and vegetables were grown to provide lunchtime meals and he also created allotments.
