Group Visits at Beth Chatto Gardens

  

Informal garden transformed from an overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows. The Beth Chatto Gardens were started in 1960.

Coach parties are always welcome - provided that prior arrangements are made. Due to demand it is advisable to make a booking well in advance for either a morning or an afternoon. You are welcome to stay all day if you arrive in the morning, but we would ask coaches to be ready to leave the gardens by 1630. We can also offer introductory tours to the gardens.

We are pleased to be able to offer visitors a fascinating guided tour. The full tour, which lasts approximately one hour costs £50.00, whilst a short half hour tour costs £25.00. Tours start in the famous gravel garden, and proceed through all areas including the water gardens, reservoir garden, woodland and scree gardens. The guides discuss the history of the garden, give help with plant identification and will also happily answer any questions the group may have. As the talk is very informal groups are encouraged to suggest any particular areas of interest they have. Led by experienced full time members of staff, with over 38 years of working with Beth Chatto between them, the talks are packed full of interesting facts, gardening knowledge and personal insights into life at the gardens. It is an enthralling way to view the gardens for both new and regular guests. A transcript of the talk is also available for hard of hearing visitors.

Group leaders are asked to indicate if they require a tour, and if you have a preferred time please let us know. Leaders are asked to pay for the group's entrance fee, plus the tour fee at the garden entrance. The group should then congregate at the required time by the entrance where their guide will meet them. All tours must be booked in advance, and we are sorry but we are unable to offer the tours on a Saturday or Sunday. Please note: that tours are for a maximum of thirty people, if you expect more people to be interested please book and pay for a second tour.

The gardens are situated just east of the village of Elmstead Market on the A133, which is the Colchester to Clacton road. If travelling on the A12, take the Colchester North exit and join the A120 towards Harwich - then take the A133 turn off for Clacton and Elmstead Market. Follow the signs for Elmstead Market. We are on the left hand side as you enter the village.

Visitors will be pleased to see that we have a tea room which serves hot and cold drinks, locally made cakes, ice creams and a selection of filled rolls. Last orders for the tea room is 1630. You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the picnic area of the car park if you wish. Toilet facilities are available, including one for the disabled - all of which are located by the entrance from the car park.

OPENING TIMES: 1 March to 31 October, Monday to Saturday 0900-1700, Sunday 1000-1700. 1 November to end February, Monday to Saturday 0900-1600, Sunday 1000-1600.
SUGGESTED LENGTH OF VISIT: 2 to 3 hours.

GROUP TRAVEL FACILITIES:
Coach parking on site, coach drop off/pick up point, guided group tours, toilets, shop, picnic area, cafe/restaurant, wheelchair access.

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Prices

GROUP RATES:
Adults £6.00, Children (under 14) free.

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