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Kiftsgate Court was built between 1887 and 1891 by Sidney Graves Hamilton who owned the large manor house in Mickleton. Hamilton took the unusual step of removing the Georgian facade of Mickleton and transporting it up the hill to his new house at Kiftsgate, with the aide of a purpose-built light railway. An avenue of elm trees used to run between the two manors, but this is unfortunately now gone, a victim of elm disease.
The inspiration for Kiftsgate garden came from Heather Muir, who, along with her husband JB Muir, bought the manor in 1917. Mrs. Muir was famous for her work with shrub roses, and developed several new varieties, including the Kiftsgate rose (Rosa filipes). Pride of place at Kiftsgate must go to the rose garden, lovingly bounded by beech hedges.
Another innovative feature of Kiftsgate is the Mediterranean garden, where Mrs. Muir took advantage of the exposed location and good drainage to plant species that are startling to find in this area of England, including cistus, phlomis, ceanthus, and other tender plants. There are other equally enjoyable garden areas, including a White Sunken Garden, Water Garden, Yellow Border, and Summer House.
The current garden at Kiftsgate is the creation of three generations of women gardeners. Started by Heather Muir in the 1920's, continued by her daughter Diany Binny from 1950 and now looked after by the current generation Anne Chambers and her husband, with a little help from their children.
The gardens are a plantsman's delight reflecting the pleasure the family has had collecting species from all over the world. At any time of the year there is something of interest to draw you back again and again. The upper gardens surrounding the house are planted to give harmonious colour schemes, whilst the sheltered lower gardens provide a home for plants from warmer climes and recreate the atmosphere of the Mediterranean.
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