Ever wanted to know what lies behind Bristol’s high garden walls?  Now, the University of Bristol is offering a chance for visitors to see some of its hidden horticultural treasures as part of a new season of tours.

Gardens Behind High Walls is the theme of three guided tours around gardens tended by the University.  The tours begin this Saturday (16 September) with a look at the trees and gardens of Manor Hall and Clifton Hill House off Lower Clifton Hill.  Here, visitors can see gardens that were laid out in the 1930s as well as those going back to Georgian times. 

Next week, on Wednesday 20 September, there’s an opportunity to take a peek at the delightful gardens at Goldney House, another Georgian mansion with beautiful grounds which boasts Clifton’s oldest plane tree and a famous canal garden.

On Saturday 28 October, there’s the chance to go behind the garden walls of Burwalls, the magnificent former home of the Wills family located near Clifton Suspension Bridge, where the remains of an ancient British camp can be seen.  The gardens also contain a fine example of the Sierra Redwood tree from western North America.

But it’s not just gardens that are included in the University’s autumn tours programme.  Visitors can also enjoy the opportunity to see inside the Victoria Rooms and Wills Memorial Building in Queen’s Road as well as Wills Hall in Stoke Bishop.  The University’s Botanic Garden is also running guided tours and there are walks around the City, looking at Bristol’s literary and historical heritage.

All tours must be paid for and booked in advance.  The tours brochure is available now from Joan Lewis, University Tours Organiser, Centre for Public Engagement, 8-10 Berkeley Square, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1HH.  Email:  joan.lewis@bristol.ac.uk or telephone:  0117 928 7157