Ecological and sustainable

Plants & Gardens

We are open

10am - 4pm Thursday to Saturday

Enjoy half price entry

Until December 21st enjoy half price entry

Beth Chatto
ABOUT
Beth Chatto

Beth Chatto OBE was an award-winning plantswoman, author and lecturer. Her work here at the Gardens began in 1960. She took an overgrown wasteland of brambles, parched gravel and boggy ditches, transforming it using plants adapted by nature to thrive in different conditions: right plant, right place. An inspirational, informal garden has developed.

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Become a Friend of Beth Chatto's
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Our Gardens
The Nursery
Horticultural Education

Our Gardens

7.5 acres of garden, based on ecological planting: the right plant for the right place. Created by award-winning gardener, author and lecturer Beth Chatto OBE VMH, who won 10 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, in the 70s and 80s.

Gravel Garden
Scree Garden
Water Garden
Woodland Garden
Reservoir Garden
Our Gardens

The Nursery

The vast majority of all the plants we sell are propagated and grown on site by our dedicated team. These plants are cared for from our garden, to yours. The Nursery, first begun by Beth in the 1960’s, now offers over 2,000 varieties of plants, grouped into conditions, making it easier to find the plants that will suit your garden.

Sustainable planting
Border design service
Grown with care
The Nursery

Horticultural Education

Education underpins everything we do. The Beth Chatto Education Trust has developed an inclusive range of courses, workshops and activities and we are an RHS approved course provider. Annually, we deliver more than 62 courses, involving in excess of 1100 individuals.

Horticultural Education
“Over the years I have purchased many many plants from the nursery, whilst visiting the gardens and through mail order. I want to say how satisfied I have always been with the plants purchased, my garden is heavily stocked with Beth Chatto specimens. I go back to late 80s early 90s!! The plants are always top quality and grow on healthily when planted. Cannot recommend you highly enough. Mail Order plants are top dog and come beautifully packaged, so keep doing what you do as you are doing it so well and pleasing a lot of people. In conclusion Beth has always been up there with my list of favourite gardeners and plantswomen.”

S. Hynes
 | July 2024

Plan Your Visit
Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB

Inspiration for plant and garden lovers. Explore how Beth and her team turned hostile land into beautiful gardens based on her mantra: right plant, right place.

OPENING HOURS
April 2nd - Nov 2nd, 2024
Tuesday - Saturday (10am - 5pm)
Nov 7th - Dec 21st
Thursday - Saturday (10am - 4pm)
 
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