The Gibberd Garden
The Gibberd Garden
4.5
About
The Gibberd Garden is an inspirational 9 acre garden with over 80 post-war sculptures and architectural pieces set in a series of enchanting spaces. Garden | House | Sculpture | Cafe | Shop | Venue
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
194 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
55
Average
16
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Duncan & Maria
Harlow, UK12 contributions
Aug 2020
Nice relaxing place to visit with or without children and no time limit so family picnics are pleasant but when it is closed DO NOT PARK on the massive public flied next door. After half an hour of letting my Dachshund have a run around I got back to my disabled vehicle to find a very rude note left on the windscreen saying if I park here again my disability vehicle will be towed away. The blue badge in the window gave them no clue that a disabled person was using the PUBLIC field NOT on their property. Appalling treatment of disabled people!
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlinaRC
Hertfordshire1,755 contributions
Feb 2022
Gibberd garden looks delightful in springtime. At the end of February the snowdrops are at their best and other spring flowers are coming out - early daffodils, Hellebores, and spring flowering shrubs.
The garden has a wonderful collection of sculptures from part of a London bank to smaller pieces near the house. It has a playful and whimsical quality which make it appealing to children. At the bottom of the garden is a small stream with a 'castle' surrounded by a moat.
In terms of facilities there is a cafe that does teas, cakes and soup, toilet and small shop that sells gifts by local crafts people. It is not well signposted with some of the urban building works going on nearby. Don't let that put you off visiting this enchanting spot.
The garden has a wonderful collection of sculptures from part of a London bank to smaller pieces near the house. It has a playful and whimsical quality which make it appealing to children. At the bottom of the garden is a small stream with a 'castle' surrounded by a moat.
In terms of facilities there is a cafe that does teas, cakes and soup, toilet and small shop that sells gifts by local crafts people. It is not well signposted with some of the urban building works going on nearby. Don't let that put you off visiting this enchanting spot.
Written March 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DtheWanderer
Harlow, UK50 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
My sister was visiting me for the weekend and we decided to attend what was described in the advertising as a Snowdrops and Hellebores event. While there was plenty of them in the garden, it was more following the trail of sculptures around the garden, which was fun and interesting.
We had a light lunch of soup in the tea room.
It was an enjoyable afternoon.
We had a light lunch of soup in the tea room.
It was an enjoyable afternoon.
Written March 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise S
Essex, UK12 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
How does a wheelchair user access the shop to purchase a ticket when there is a large step?
It was worth a visit.
Shame sculptures are not numbered with a bit of information.
Might be hard going if using a manual wheelchair.
Volunteers were very welcoming in the tea room.
It was worth a visit.
Shame sculptures are not numbered with a bit of information.
Might be hard going if using a manual wheelchair.
Volunteers were very welcoming in the tea room.
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
World travel
Manchester, UK44 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
What an amazing find. We had a magical afternoon exploring the beautiful gardens and exciting sculptures. The kids adored the space and the fort was so much fun. The flowers and trees and breathtaking. The volunteers are so friendly and helpful. We look forward to returning soon.
Written June 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline LTC
3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Tranquil garden with house, once home of the architect of Harlow New Town. Used to feel quite remote, set amongst fields. However, the new M11 junction is now a stones throw. Plus they have built a lot of new houses nearby quite recently. Am unperturbed though, so shall be visiting again this afternoon. As previously I’m expecting a large interesting garden, full of nooks and crannies and delightful sculptures.
With its little stream, shady trees, thoughtful planting and flowers, it’s an ideal place to relax and enjoy on a summer afternoon.
The cafe is a bonus and most importantly we can take our dog, on a lead. Certainly that would be a deal breaker if we could not.
With its little stream, shady trees, thoughtful planting and flowers, it’s an ideal place to relax and enjoy on a summer afternoon.
The cafe is a bonus and most importantly we can take our dog, on a lead. Certainly that would be a deal breaker if we could not.
Written July 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley D
London, UK1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Couples
I absolutely love the Gibberd Gardens, it’s like entering Narnia, a far cry from 21st Century Harlow. A beautiful walk around and a lovely way to pass an afternoon. Haven’t checked the tea rooms out yet but hoping to return before Autumn is over.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaques C
Stansted Mountfitchet, UK74 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
What a surprise! Garden well worth a visit, friendly volunteers, good place to park and dog can go too. Spent four enchanting hours looking round and even has a tea room with homemade cakes, but no sandwiches unfortunately. Would thoroughly recommend, even teenager didn't moan and he hates NT properties. £4 an adult and £1 for teenager quite reasonable. Even had a nice surprise under a rock (Mr Livingstone knows all), with a secret book and treasures to find and then a sheet to read and take away, very nice little touch.
Written April 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Priddy
14 contributions
Oct 2019
This is one of the finest post WW2 gardens in the country. Designed and laid out by the architect and town planner Frederick Gibberd, it lies in 4 acres on the outskirts of Harlow, itself one of the eight new towns built at pace as part of the post war reconstruction. The house looks down the slope towards the river. It is maintained beautifully by the fulltime equivalent of one gardener and a small but enthusiastic group of friends and volunteers. We attended as members of the Essex Historic Gardens Trust for the society's AGM. An excellent talk about Gibberd's life, times and the garden kicked off proceedings, followed by a walk around the garden, a tour of the house and a soup and bread lunch. Gibberd planted and then recorded so there is a great spontaneity to the garden. Later he added pieces of sculpture and salvage including Grecian-style columns from the old Coutts Bank building in the city. A romantic, rambling, characterful house and grounds.
Written October 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arfasleep
Harlow, UK2 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We came here for the Easter hunt. It was well organised, great fun and a good way to make sure you get around and see all of the garden. I've been a couple of times before and there were still bits that I hadn't seen. It's a great place for adults and children, with lots of places to run around and have adventures.
Written April 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When we visited there were a couple. Given the nature of the gardens I cannot believe you would be turned away. On the lead is a definite and clear up any "deposits` that may occur yourself. Respect goes a long way and in many directions. Enjoy and try the soup!!
Written April 17, 2017
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