Main Lawn

The Gardens & Grounds

The American Museum in Britain is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The hilltop site of the museum’s home, Claverton Manor, takes full advantage of the spectacular views over the Limpley Stoke Valley and the River Avon.

The grounds total some 120 acres, of which 40 are open to visitors. An arboretum devoted to American trees and shrubs flanks a unique replica of George Washington’s flower garden at Mount Vernon, Virginia. Below this has been added the Lewis and Clark trail, containing trees and shrubs discovered on the pioneering expedition across the States, over 200 years ago. The parkland, with its majestic old cedars, provides a circular walk through ancient meadows, while above the house a path has been created through woodland. A small vegetable garden, dye plant area and colonial herb garden give a flavour of early colonial plantings.

Remnants of the old Italianate style manorial pleasure gardens and parkland, dating from the 1820s, can be seen within the grounds, including period features such as the grotto, the balustrade and curtain walling, as well as ornamental stone work. This work is attributed to George Vivian, son of the original owner of Claverton Manor, John Vivian.