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Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens

Internationally famous gardens, inc dry, damp, shade, reservoir and woodland areas. The result of over 60 years of hard work and application of the huge body of plant knowledge possessed by Beth Chatto and her husband Andrew. Visitors cannot fail to be affected by the peace and beauty of the garden. Beth is renowned internationally for her books, her gardens and her influence on the world of gardening and plants. Please visit website for up to date visiting details and pre-booking.

Owner Info

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens

About Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens

Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens are an example of turning unfavourable conditions into a positive advantage, using plants adapted by nature to their environment. Andrew Chatto’s life-long study into the homes of garden plants has been the inspiration for their style of gardening. He researched not only the country of origin, but also the environment including soil and climate. Ecological communities are governed by prevailing conditions, giving rise to variation such as dry or damp grasslands, woodlands, mountain plants or bog plants. From these communities come many of our garden plants.
Originally the site of the Chatto Gardens consisted of problem areas, providing difficult conditions for conventional garden design. The soil ranged from coarse gravel on the upper slopes to clay in a long wet hollow fed by springs. The average annual rainfall is 20 inches. Over the past 60 years seven acres have been transformed into diverse and beautifully landscaped gardens. A spring-fed ditch was dammed to form several ponds around which water gardens offer a home for damp-loving plants. This area comes as a huge surprise in dry Essex. Above it, and inspired by a dried-up river bed in New Zealand, Beth Chatto designed and planted a 3/4 acre of gravel and sand using plants adapted to drought. The Gravel Garden is an experiment begun over 30 years ago, to see what survives without irrigation. Finally, areas of peace and tranquillity are found along shady walks beneath mature oaks and in the Reservoir Garden. The Gardens include a large nursery with the majority of plants propagated from those grown in the Gardens, all sold according to the planting conditions that suit them best, in keeping with the Beth Chatto ethos of the ‘Right plant in the right place’.

Featured on and in BBC Gardeners’ World interview with Carol Klein, various newspaper and magazine articles and book mentions. Foreword written by Beth Chatto in new book ‘Secret gardens of East Anglia’ written by Barbara Segall.

Website:

https://www.bethchatto.co.uk

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens features

Location details

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens,
Colchester,
Essex,
CO7 7DB

Directions to Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
On A133 Colchester to Clacton Rd in village of Elmstead Market.

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens openings

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Light refreshments at Chatto’s Tearoom inc sandwiches, paninis, soup, salads, cakes, hot & cold beverages.
Admission Adult: £14.95
Child: Free
Opening times 10:00-16:00

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Light refreshments at Chatto’s Tearoom inc sandwiches, paninis, soup, salads, cakes, hot & cold beverages.
Admission Adult: £14.95
Child: Free
Opening times 10:00-16:00

Accessibility

  • Disabled WC and parking. Wheelchair access around all of the gardens on gravel or grass.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.