GOC member Kevan volunteers at this very special garden near Bath, created by an Anglo-American gay couple and he has kindly offered to show us around. Positioned in a gorgeous setting, the American Museum and Gardens opened to the public in 1961 with the ambition to showcase American decorative arts and dispel stereotypes of American culture.

Grade II listed and set on 125 acres of green, the garden’s rolling topography has stunning views across the valleys. Featuring designs by famous American landscape architectural firm Oehme Van Sweden (OVS), the gardens represent some of the most iconic movements in American landscape design and include the New American Garden, Mount Vernon – which is a replica from George Washington’s famous house outside Washington, DC – a dell, an arboretum, amphitheatre and children’s garden along with a wilderness trail and parklands for further exploration.

The Museum features collections from the United States where you can visit room sets that recreate periods of American history giving the feeling that someone has just stepped out, as well as our world-renowned folk art, quilt and map collections.

There is also an exhibition gallery, shop and deli/café, which includes a terrace with panoramic views, serving a range of homemade American inspired food and drink.  Dogs, on a lead, are welcome in the gardens. Assistance dogs are permitted in all public areas, including inside the museum, exhibition, Deli and gift shop.

We have arranged this for a Wednesday as there is free access for RHS members to the gardens only (member 1 only for joint memberships). See here for details of admission fees.

Following the visit, there will be the option to have lunch in the onsite deli/cafe or you can bring a packed lunch to eat in the gounds.