The Savill Garden

The Savill Garden Description

The Savill Garden is part of the Crown Estate, and is situated in Windsor Great Park. Comprising over 1,500 hectares (approximately 3,750 acres) Windsor Great Park is maintained by the Crown Estate and contains a diverse range of land uses. Modern farms and forestry plantations are managed within the extensive parkland. Over 60% of the Great Park is open to the public and it is estimated that more than 3 million visits are made each year.

Their Gardens Department is responsible for 600 hectares of the Great Park including the Savill Garden. The Savill Garden covers approximately 18 hectares (45 acres) and was begun by Eric Savill in 1932 under the auspices of King George V and Queen Mary.

In 1951 King George VI commanded that its name should be changed from the Bog Garden to the Savill Garden and in 1955 Sir Eric was knighted. From the initial stream side plantings below the Temperate House, the area was extended to become one of the world's finest woodland gardens.

Further areas were added to include Herbaceous Borders and Rose Gardens, Peat Beds and a larger Bog Garden. Most recent additions have been the Jubilee Garden and bridge over the Lower Pond, a Dry Garden created in 1979 and a new Temperate House named for The Queen Mother and opened by The Queen in 1995.

The Savill Garden boasts an unrivalled degree of colour and interest throughout the year. The calendar below provides a brief indication of the seasonal interest to be seen.

Their visitor centre offers excellent visitor facilities, shop, planteria and restaurant. The building is an attraction in itself, having a gridshell roof which, together with the floor, is made from timber harvested from the Windsor Estate. This was the first stage of the restoration of The Royal Landscape project, which will evolve over the next few years.

January - Mahonias, Cornus, Birches, Snake-bark Maples, Conifers, Witch Hazels and Rhododendrons.

February - Birches, Snake-bark Maples, Conifers, Witch Hazels, Rhododendrons and Camellias.

March - Daffodils, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Cherries and Pieris.

April - Daffodils and Dwarf Bulbs, Camellias, Magnolias, Cherries, Rhododendrons and Alpines.

May - Daffodils and Dwarf Bulbs, Camellias, Magnolias, Cherries, Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Alpines, Cornus, Irises, Primulas Hostas and Ferns.

June - Azaleas, Clematis, Ceanothus, Roses, Primulas, Irises, Hostas, Astilbe, Styrax and Stewartia.

July - Roses, Herbaceous Plants, Lilies, Astilbe, Cornus and Summer Pots.

August - Roses, Herbaceous Plants, Agapanthus, Kniphofia, Hydrangeas, Clethra, Eucryphia and Summer Pots.

September - Hydrangeas, Herbaceous Plants, Roses, Colchicums, Sorbus, Maples, Birches, Sweet Gums and Tupelos.

October - Colchicums, Sorbus, Maples, Birches, Sweet Gums, Tupelos, Tulip Tree and Cyclamen.

November - Mahonia, Cornus, Birches, Snake-bark Maples and Conifers.

December - Mahonia, Cornus, Birches, Snake-bark Maples, Conifers and Witch Hazels.

Opening Times - 2011

Winter: 1st November 2010 - 28th February 2011

• Garden: daily, 10 am - 4.30 pm (last admission at 4 pm)
• Shop: Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 4.30 pm, Sunday, 10.30 am - 4.30 pm
• Restaurant: daily, 10 am - 4 pm

Summer: 1st March 2011 - 31st October 2011

• Garden: daily, 10 am - 6 pm (last admission at 5.30 pm)
• Shop: daily, 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday, 12 - 6 pm
• Restaurant: daily, 10 am - 5.30 pm

Admission Prices - 2011

Winter:

• Adult - £6.00
• Seniors - £5.50
• Child (under 6 years) - Free
• Family (2+2) - £15.00
• Groups (10+) - £4.75

Summer:

• Adult - £8.50
• Seniors - £7.95
• Child (6-16 years) - £3.75
• Child (under 6 years) - Free
• Family (2+2) - £21.00
• Groups (10+) - £6.95

General Enquiries:

The Marketing Department

Crown Estate Office

The Great Park

Windsor

Berkshire

SL4 2HT

All Images supplied by The Royal Landscape - Warwick Sweeney.

More information on this garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.