Tatton Park

About the garden

Owned by

National Trust; managed and financed by Cheshire East Council

Designed By
Humphry Repton

Enjoy year-round colour in 50 acres of beautiful gardens set against the stunning backdrop of Tatton Park’s 1,000 acre parkland. They are rated among the most complete in the country and represent more than 200 years of garden design history. 

Each generation of the Egerton family, encouraged by the latest horticultural whim, transformed more of the parkland into gardens. Tatton’s gardens therefore illustrate changing fashions and horticultural styles as well as the tastes of the owners over the centuries.

The gardens boast plants from all over the world across a variety of features such as a fernery, conservatory, topiary, maze, pinetum and rose garden. The renowned Japanese Garden, which can be viewed from its perimeter, is considered the best of its kind in Europe. It was laid out between 1910 and 1913, restored in 1991 and follows the plan of a tea garden with a small Shinto Shrine brought from Japan and a thatched Tea House.

The Italian Garden at Tatton was designed by Joseph Paxton of Crystal Palace fame in 1847 and highlights the fashion then for formal gardens with gravelled walks, beds forming patterns and wide borders. The Walled Kitchen Garden is an ongoing restoration project, growing fruit and vegetables using traditional skills and processes. Seasonal produce is available for purchase in the Garden Shop and is used to create delicious dishes in the Stables Restaurant and Gardener’s Cottage Tea Room.

Recent work has involved opening and refining views and vistas in the gardens as well as planting a new Cherry Tree Walk that will blossom into a springtime treat over the next few years. A newly refurbished and replanted Rose Garden shows new modern English roses such as Rosa ‘Desdemona’, ‘Scepter’d Isle’ and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. This garden was Lady Anna Egerton’s favourite secluded retreat and promises to flourish in the summer months. 

Please note: Dogs on leads are welcome to Tatton Park’s formal gardens from 1 May–30 September 2024.