Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden

View of the center of the garden amtrevenna (Atlas Obscura User)

This is a beautiful small garden straight off a main road in the Cotswold town of Chipping Campden. You enter through a small gated archway in a stone wall and a tranquil green garden haven hides behind it. (Do watch your head, it’s a low arch.)

The garden was created in the 1970s to commemorate Ernest Henry Wilson who was born in Davies House, Lower Street, Chipping Campden in 1876 (the house now has a commemorative plaque). He went to work at Botanical Gardens in Birmingham and Kew before he ventured off on expeditions to China, risking his life as a plant hunter. He also went to Japan, Korea, and other countries later in his life. He was one of the leading collectors, introducing about 1,200 trees and shrubs and many more plants. Boards at the entrance of the garden detail Wilson’s life.

The garden itself is small, but it has winding brick paths, some covered by metal arches with climbing plants and a grass area in the middle. It is planted with many examples of the plants he collected. There are seats placed around the garden so you can have a rest and enjoy the peaceful tranquility.

Know Before You Go

There is no parking for the garden so you will need to park in the town and walk.

The garden is maintained by volunteers and entry is free, but there is a collection box for voluntary donation to help them with upkeep of the garden.