The Beth Chatto Gardens

Description

From an overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows in 1960, The Beth Chatto Gardens has been transformed into an inspirational informal garden. Working with the philosophy of "right plant, right place" Beth Chatto and her team work with vastly varying conditions to create fascinating planting.

The gravel garden of drought-loving plants gently descends into the dramatic water gardens where lush green growth creates a scene of harmony and tranquillity. From late winter to early summer the woodland gardens are embroidered with gentle drifts of plants.

We have a large plant nursery stocking plants for a wide range of planting conditions. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are always on hand for help and advice.

Tea room
Our light and modern Tea Room, which overlooks the famous Gravel Garden was opened in 2006 and welcomes our visitors throughout the year. Our friendly staff are always on hand to offer light lunches and refreshments including home made soup, filled rolls, mouth watering cakes, teas and coffees. We try to source our produce locally as often as possible, from Tiptree Jams to James Whites Juices and award winning ice cream from the Manor Farm Creamery in Bury St Edmunds. The Tea Room is an ideal finish to a long walk around the Gardens and Nursery; it also hosts our ever-growing list of workshops and events.

Publications
The books of Beth Chatto have become well-loved classics and in 1998 Mrs Chatto was awarded the Garden Writers Guild Lifetime Achievement Award for her work. The titles below are available from The Beth Chatto Gardens; Beth Chatto signs all books personally before despatch.(We regret Garden Guides are not signed). A personal message can be included if you wish.

Opening hours
Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm (March until October), Monday - Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday 10am-4pm (November until February)

Admission
Entrance for 2009 is £5.00 per person, accompanied under 14's free; a free children's quiz is available at the kiosk.

Location
The Gardens are situated on the A133, approx 4 miles east of Colchester and a 1/4 mile east of Elmstead Market. Please follow the brown tourist signs.

Coaches and groups welcome providing they have booked, contact the Office on 01026 822007 for details
Beth Chatto was thrilled to be presented an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the Faculty of Science and Technology at Anglia Ruskin University on 11th November 2009. The award was in recognition of outstanding achievement in her field and to exemplify what it is possible to achieve thanks to hard work, determination and talent. Mrs Chatto had the opportunity to speak at the award ceremony to the graduating students and found the whole day very enjoyable. This is the second time Mrs Chatto has received such an honour, the first being in 1987 when she received an honorary degree from the University of Essex, which can be seen on display in our Tea Room.