Plan your visit
The gardens will reopen 11th March; the online nursery is open
GET DIRECTIONS
The Gardens will be reopening on 11th March; unless you are a member, prebooking is essential. The online nursery remains open for home delivery.
Your Beth Chatto's experience
Beth Chatto's is a garden for people who are passionate about plants and gardens. Beth took challenging, hostile ground and turned it into what you will see on your visit: 7.5 acres of beautiful gardens, demonstrating her mantra: 'right plant for the right place'. Her gardens and plant combinations are an example of the possibilities open to any gardener, no matter your garden type. Here you will find inspiration!
There are six areas of garden: the Gravel Garden, Woodland Garden, Scree Garden, Reflection Garden, Water Garden and Reservoir Garden.
Beth Chatto’s is unusual in that it was once a private garden which Beth opened to the public, and it includes an extensive plant nursery. We grow and produce over 2,000 plant varieties, making Beth Chatto's the largest collection of home-propagated plants in the area.
Did you know that Beth Chatto's is also...
- A place of learning, where large numbers of budding horticulturalists study alongside some of the UK's best, most knowledgeable plantspeople, at the Beth Chatto Education Trust.
- We deliver more than 70 courses, workshops and activities.
- We are an RHS Partner Garden, and approved facility for RHS course delivery
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 advise, and invitations to special events, activities and offers.
How to find us
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By Bus
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.