Rousham Park House and Garden

Rousham Park House and Garden Review

Fifteen miles north of Oxford and wonderfully uncommercialized, Rousham has an expansive 18th-century English landscape park as well as the austere, gray Dormer family mansion, built in 1635. The design of gardener William Kent (1685-1748) is preserved almost unaltered in the groves, meadows, and walled gardens. Longhorn cattle add an exotic touch to the English landscape. The house is only open to groups that book in advance, but the remarkable gardens are open all year. There's no food, so bring a picnic and plenty of water. Children under 15 are not allowed, nor are dogs.