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Tatton Park

Dogs on leads are welcome into the formal gardens from 1 May–30 Sep 2024

RHS Partner Garden

Free access for RHS members throughout open period

Knutsford
WA16 6QN

Free Access
Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.

Tel
01625 374400

Visit website

Opening Hours

10am–6pm, daily, 24 Mar–27 Oct; 10am–4pm, Tue–Sun, 28 Oct-28 Mar 2025. Closed 25 Dec.

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.

Facilities

  • Toilets
  • Children’s play area
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children's activities
  • Gift shop
  • Accessible facilities
  • Free carer entry
  • Parking
  • Dogs welcome
  • Accessible garden
  • Picnic area
  • Plant sales
  • Refreshments
  • Assistance dogs only

Features

  • Glasshouse (open to public)
  • Arboretum
  • Japanese garden
  • Mediterranean/Italian garden

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.

Plants of special interest

  • Agapanthus
  • Autumn bulbs
  • Begonias
  • Bluebells
  • Cacti & succulents
  • Camellias
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Clematis
  • Conifers
  • Daffodils
  • Dahlias
  • Ferns
  • Fruit blossom
  • Fruit bushes/trees
  • Fuchsias
  • Grasses
  • Heathers
  • Hellebores
  • Herbs
  • Hostas
  • Irises
  • Laburnum
  • Lavender
  • Lilies
  • Magnolias
  • Maple
  • Orchids
  • Primulas
  • Rhododendrons/azaleas
  • Roses
  • Shade-loving plants
  • Snowdrops
  • Spring bulbs
  • Topiary
  • Vegetables
  • Waterlilies
  • Wildflowers
  • Wisteria

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.