| Essex is a county in size of over 1,500 square miles, | | | | glade, Peto Pavilion and courtyard with fountain. Also |
| so it's no surprise to find that it is packed full of | | | | contained within the gardens are an extra ordinary |
| areas of outstanding natural beauty which, luckily for | | | | collection of artworks from various contemporary |
| us, are cared for by some of the best organisations | | | | artists from Essex, such as Anne |
| and gardeners in the country. The variety of Open | | | | Schwegmann-Fielding and Elaine Tribley. |
| Gardens in Essex available to be viewed and enjoyed | | | | At the very edge of the county of Essex, at its |
| by the public is vast and varies from Elizabethan knot | | | | most northwestern point, bordering Cambridgeshire is |
| gardens to woodland and gravel gardens. | | | | the house and gardens of Audley End House. This is |
| Within easy reach of Colchester, about 6 miles to the | | | | a garden not to be missed when visiting the county. |
| east near the town of Elmstead Market, is The Beth | | | | The site is owned and restored by English Heritage |
| Chatto Gardens. These ecological gardens were | | | | and the house is one of the finest Jacobean |
| created by famous author, garden designer and | | | | examples in England. |
| plants woman, Beth Chatto OBE. Beth was awarded | | | | In 1762 the then owner of Audley End House, Sir |
| this honour in 2002. The gardens were built on the | | | | John Griffin, commissioned "England's greatest |
| site of her husbands disused fruit farm in the early | | | | gardener", landscape architect, Capability Brown, to |
| 1960's which bordered the family home. | | | | redesign and landscape the parkland surrounding the |
| The whole area was considered unsuitable for | | | | house. The gardens are a fine example of Brown's |
| farming and left to grow wild into an overgrown | | | | English style; they contain a circular temple, |
| wasteland covered with willow and brambles. Today | | | | mock-classical monuments and several ornate bridges |
| the gardens comprise of around five acres of land | | | | which cross the River Cam that divides the grounds. |
| separated into a variety of different planting sites | | | | Walled within the grounds is a restored Victorian |
| including dry, sun baked gravel, water and marginal | | | | Kitchen Garden. This was restored in 1999 by the |
| planting, woodland, shady, heavy clay and alpine | | | | leading organic growing charity, Garden Organic, and |
| areas. Beth Chatto OBE continues to work within the | | | | is now a fine example of a kitchen garden full of a |
| gardens and writes for national and international | | | | large selection of herbs, fruits, vegetables and |
| press. | | | | flowers. |
| Exhibits by The Beth Chatto Gardens can be seen at | | | | Throughout the rural county of Essex there are |
| The Tendring Hundred Show in Essex. The gardens | | | | many smaller privately owned gardens that open |
| have won many gold medals for exhibits at the | | | | their doors to the public, some on a regular basis and |
| Chelsea Flower Show. All this expertise helps to make | | | | others for only a short amount of time, once or |
| The Beth Chatto Gardens one of the most | | | | maybe twice a year. |
| spectacular Open Gardens in Essex to visit. | | | | Saling Hall Gardens, located between Great Dunmow |
| Just a short journey south of Colchester, down the | | | | and Braintree, is a 12 acre country garden most |
| A12 and situated at Rettendon near Chelmsford, is | | | | famous for its collection of rare trees. The Hall itself |
| Hyde Hall Garden. Owned by the United Kingdoms | | | | is not open to be viewed, but with six ponds, the |
| leading garden charity, The Royal Horticultural | | | | Temple of Pisces and many other surprises, the |
| Society, Hyde Hall is around twenty acres in size and | | | | garden itself is well worth the small entrance fee. |
| is a delightful hilltop garden with an extensive variety | | | | The small village estate garden, 60 Mill Lane, is open |
| of flowering and ornamental trees, shrubs, and | | | | to the public from Tuesday 9th June until Sunday |
| coloured-themed herbaceous borders. | | | | 12th July. It is situated at Cressing, approximately 15 |
| A huge visitor attraction at Hyde Hall is the | | | | miles west of Colchester and is a plantaholic's |
| Farmhouse Garden, also two ornamental ponds which | | | | paradise, very colourful with potted and hanging |
| contain a wide selection of water lilies, bog plants and | | | | baskets. |
| fish. Formed in September 1982 is the National | | | | A Quintessential English cottage garden, Newland |
| Collections of viburnums, this genus offers all year | | | | Cottage, is a 1 acre garden designed and created by |
| round interest, with flowers and scent from winter | | | | its owners. The garden contains a wealth of shrubs, |
| through to early summer, followed by bright berries | | | | trees and plants, a pond, vegetable patch, fruit trees |
| from late summer through to winter, as well as | | | | and formal garden with rotunda. Newland Cottage is |
| colourful leaves in autumn. | | | | located at Wrabness near Manningtree and is part of |
| Follow the A130 north from Rettendon and you will | | | | the National Garden Scheme. The NGS is a registered |
| come to the historic market town of Great Dunmow. | | | | charity which opens gardens of quality, character and |
| Situated here are the Gardens of Easton Lodge. The | | | | interest to the public. |
| Gardens are one of the most important gardens by | | | | Please check the Events in Essex page for any Open |
| the Edwardian architect and garden designer, Harold | | | | Gardens in Essex holding special events or open days. |
| Anisworth Peto, who was commissioned to redesign | | | | The 'related links' section at the bottom this article |
| them in 1902. | | | | will help you locate further information on the NGS |
| The Gardens are noted for there Italian garden, | | | | and their open gardens. |