Coles Gardens are over 26 acres and situated on chalk downland in a sloping valley to the north of the village of Privett. The Froxfield clay plateau provides soil with a great variation of pH that supports Rhododendrons and Camellias on its southern slopes. This has been helped by the addition of imported soil, spent hops and spent bus tickets!

The gardens also include many scented azaleas, the aroma of which is especially wonderful in the late afternoon/early evening.