The garden at Greys Court

Autumn colours at Greys Court, Oxfordshire | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole

There’s something to see around every corner in the garden at Greys Court. Explore the interconnected spaces surrounded by the warm colours of ruined walls and buildings that date back centuries. With things to discover throughout the year, take time to enjoy everything this tranquil oasis has to offer.

Autumn colour at Greys Court

When autumn arrives at Greys Court, hues of reds, oranges and yellows can be seen throughout the garden and the estate.

On an autumn’s day the top lawn is an ideal place to sit, rest and take in the impressive panoramic views across the rolling Chiltern Hills, with autumn colours visible for miles around.

Liquidambar, Acer and Arbutos trees can all be found in the Arboretum. Liquidambar is an American tree, also known as a Sweet Gum, and is famous for its autumn colours. In late summer the leaves turn a deep black-crimson colour, then as autumn progresses they go through a kaleidoscope of yellows, ambers and reds.

Archbishop's maze with central armillary sphere sundial at Greys Court, | © Hugh Mothersole

Features in the garden

Moon Bridge

This was designed by Francis Pollen as a Chinese-style ‘moon bridge’, dedicated to the Brunners’ Chinese friend, the cookery writer Dr So Yan-Kit, who the family often referred to as their ‘adopted daughter’. The area below the bridge is planted with blue irises, created to give the impression of moving water.

The Maze

The Maze was inspired by the Archbishop of Canterbury's address is 1980, in which he spoke of a ‘mazelike muddle in which the world finds itself’, and his hope that Christian and non-Christians, working together, could solve it. The design, by Adrian Fisher, is packed with Christian symbolism, for example, the seven rings stand for the seven days of creation, the three outward turns for the three days that Christ spent in the tomb.

Octagonal fountain

The octagonal stone fountain was designed by Hugo Brunner’s brother-in-law, the architect Francis Pollen. A prayer for good harvest by the Latin poet Horace was carved in slate.