Plan your visit
The gardens, nursery, tearoom and shop are open 5 days a week
GET DIRECTIONS
Your visit
- February 15th - November 20th, every Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (10am-4pm in November)
Please prebook tickets to the Gardens. Friends do not need to prebook.
Social distancing measures are in place. Please wear a mask inside the Shop and Tearoom.
Tea, coffee & light refreshments are available from Chatto's tearoom, to be enjoyed inside, outside within the seated areas or in the picnic area.
Becoming a Friend of Beth Chatto's (from just £30) allows you seasonal, unlimited access to the Gardens during opening hours and free entry for up to 3 children.
Membership welcomes you into the Beth Chatto fold, with regular updates, gardening advice, and invitations to special events, activities and offers.
All visitors, excluding Friends, must pre-book tickets before visiting.
🌱Friends of the Garden/Friends of Beth Chatto’s: no need to prebook but you will need to register on arrival and ensure you only visit on our opening days.
🌱 FREE entry for NHS workers and Bluelight cardholders: you will need to prebook the special arrival times and bring your relevant ID with you.
🌱 Gardeners World 2 for 1 offer is NOT valid between 1st May 2021 to 6th August 2021. 2 for 1 Card holders will be able to pre-book to visit the gardens from the 7th August 2021 onwards. One visitor MUST prebook before arriving. Your Gardener's World card will need to be shown on arrival.
🌱RHS members free entry between Feb 15th - March 31st and October 1st - November 20th (no need to prebook). Booking is required at all other times
🌱Any accompanying visitors MUST prebook
🌱Please do not visit if it means breaking the Lockdown rules as set out by the Government
Sorry no dogs (except assistance dogs)
Food and drinks should not be taken into the gardens. Picnics are permitted in the designated picnic area in the adjacent field.
How to find us
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By Bus
Pleease note: Bus routes are subject to change. Please check before you travel. Colchester Bus Station is to the east of Colchester in Osborne Street and Stanwell Street. From the High Street turn right down Queen Street opposite Colchester Castle, then bear right at the bottom of Queen Street into Osborne Street. The bus station is on the left.
There are a number of travel companies operating buses that stop at Elmstead Market so we recommend checking the 'Bus Times' website before travelling. Please see the links below for each service:
- 76 - Clacton - Gt Bentley - Frating - Univ Of Essex - Colchester
- 77 - Colchester - Elmstead Market - Frating - Aingers Green (St Osyth)
- 78D - Frating - Elmstead Market - Wivenhoe - Alresford - Brightlingsea
- 97 - Colchester - Essex Univ - Weeley - Clacton - Walton On The Naze
- X15 - Colchester - University Of Essex - Wix - Gt Oakley - Harwich
- X76 - Colchester - Univ Of Essex - Weeley - Clacton - Jaywick
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By Train
Colchester has two train stations, North Station and Colchester Town. Colchester Town station is in the centre of town and near the bus station. North Station is over a mile north of the town centre and would require another bus to reach the town centre but does have a taxi rank just outside if you would prefer to continue your journey by car. Regular trains to North Station run from London Liverpool Street, Ipswich, Clacton on Sea and Norwich. Trains to Colchester Town are less frequent and may require you to change at North Station. Journey time to Colchester Town from London Liverpool Street is approximately 90 minutes.
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By Bike
We can be reached from several bicycles routes. The closest is a route published by Visit Essex and can be viewed here. Route 4 "Cultural Sites and Constable Country" is the map that has our location. The route takes you around some of the countryside encircling Colchester and is roughly ten miles long. We can be found in the bottom right hand side of the map marked as attraction 14. If you would like to hire a bike for your visit to the area, whether you are a resident or a holiday maker, bikes can be hired from The Outdoor Hire Centre including tandems, childrens bikes and bikes with picnic equipment.
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By Taxi
There is a taxi rank outside North Station (please note not outside Colchester Town station) and one on Colchester High Street. Local taxi companies include:
- Five Sevens: 01206 577777
- Hawaii 5-0: 01206 543210
- Panther Cabs: 01206 525525
Please note we do not endorse these companies and cannot guarantee their cost or level of service. For your return journey staff in the shop will be happy to call a taxi company for you.