Skip to content
Menu

Oak Farm

Informal farmhouse garden of about an acre on an exposed site. Garden designed to make most of stunning views across Colne Valley to S and W, framed to N by listed house and farmyard. Trees, shrubs, borders, roses and secret garden at best in early and mid summer. Prairie garden, salvias and dahlias come into their own in late summer/early autumn. Mainly accessible by wheelchair avoiding a few steps.

Owner Info

  • Ann & Peter Chillingworth
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm
Oak Farm

About Oak Farm

Welcome to our old farmhouse garden in the south facing Colne Valley.

We inherited the property and moved here in 1987 and have been developing and introducing new features and planting ever since, always seeking unusual plants that suit our high, exposed site with its gravelly, droughty soil and learning from Beth Chatto’s dry-bed expertise in her Elmstead Market garden. Look out for the secret garden and stumpery. On going projects include a rose avenue, Mediterranean bed and prairie garden. With its extensive valley views, vibrant beds and shady secret spots, we hope you will enjoy your visit.
.

Oak Farm features

Location details

Oak Farm,
Colchester,
Essex,
CO6 2AH

Directions to Oak Farm
Vernons Rd off A1124, half way between Ford St & Chappel. From Colchester, 3rd R after Ford St; Oak Farm is 200m up on R. From Halstead, 2nd L after Chappel viaduct.

Oak Farm openings

This garden has now completed its National Garden Scheme openings for this year.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access can be gained to most of the garden although there are steps in places.
  • Share this garden

Other Gardens of Potential Interest

4 New Row image
4 New Row

Located behind a former oysterman's cottage c1875, this long, narrow garden surprisingly offers a range of garden rooms, planted with silver birch,...

Read more
4 Boarded Row image
4 Boarded Row

A very small cottage style garden, with brick path, raised vegetable beds, summerhouse and patio overlooking a small wildlife pond and winding path...

Read more
Spa Cottage image
Spa Cottage

Nestled next to farmland in rural Essex, the main garden is split into three areas, a haven for wildflowers around a small orchard of apple and plum...

Read more
St Osyth Priory image
St Osyth Priory

The St Osyth Priory Estate can trace its history back almost 1,400 years. It is recognised as a Registered Park and Garden County Wildlife Site,...

Read more
The Folly image
The Folly

This is a small garden which has a mix between classic English country border alongside a more formal Italian element at the rear of the garden after...

Read more
30 Queens Road image
30 Queens Road

A medium sized family garden with seperate zones. The front of the garden is a space for children to play. The back has a colourful jungle border...

Read more
Old Timbers image
Old Timbers

The white shingled spire of St Mary’s church, provides historic atmosphere to this weatherboarded house and large walled garden. Raised vegetable...

Read more
Cannock Mill Cohousing Gardens image
Cannock Mill Cohousing Gardens

With an emphasis on biodiversity, our two acre sloping site inc both wild and cultivated areas, some private but mostly communal areas, some...

Read more

FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Oak Farm at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Oak Farm. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Oak Farm, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Oak Farm are accessible to wheelchair users.

Oak Farm is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.