Beth Chatto's Plants& Gardens

Beth Chatto began clearing scrub and boggy hollows beside White Barn House in 1960, developing planting schemes matched to soil and moisture rather than resisting the site's difficult conditions. The Gravel Garden, created in 1992 on a former car park, has never been irrigated since planting and remains a reference point for drought-tolerant gardening. Chatto's granddaughter, Julia Boulton, now runs the gardens and adjoining plant nursery. The tearoom serves lunches and cream teas made with locally sourced ingredients, including a blend of tea and coffee developed for the gardens, and looks out over the Gravel Garden itself. A gift shop and nursery sit alongside, both free to enter, while the gardens charge admission. The gardens open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with pre-booking recommended for garden visits.