Visiting the Gardens
To balance this new chapter with access to the grounds, we’ve introduced the following:
General Visits
The gardens are no longer open for regular daily public access.
Friday Feeling Events
We are pleased to continue offering complimentary access to the gardens during our Friday Feeling events – a relaxed way to enjoy the space.
Special Events
Throughout the year, we may host selected open days and one-off events.
Please check our website and social media for upcoming dates.
Private Group Visits
Local groups and visitors are welcome to arrange private visits for 5–30 people:
• By prior arrangement
• Subject to availability
• Advance payment required.
Our gardens
Although parts of the original 1802 gardens remain, much of what you see today was laid out in the late 19th century by the wife of the first Lord Crawshaw. She designed the 15 acres of mixed woodland and garden areas, with trails leading through shaded trees and little dells.
The gardens are a delightfully peaceful place, full of interest throughout the year.
A myriad of paths lead through the woodland garden, carpeted in spring by thousands of bulbs and wild flowers, while an abundance of flowering shrubs and ornamental trees catch the eye around the spacious lawns.
The autumn brings a change to the colour of leaves on the magnificent mature trees, some over 200 years old.
” We can’t wait to visit Whatton in the spring when it’s open. Eagerly awaiting! One of the highlights of our year!”
@hollypiglet via Instagram, April 2025
The Broad Walk through the garden leads to the ‘Bogey Hole‘, a former icehouse that was converted into a picturesque grotto with decorative rockery features. The creation of Bogey Hole dates to at least 1831 when the decorative rockwork was mentioned in an article in Gardener’s Magazine.
The Bogey Hole is at the eastern edge of the Chinese Garden. This garden dates to the late 19th century. The terracotta warriors (a later addition) stand guard, replicas of the famous Terracotta Army discovered in China after being buried for 2200 years.
The loggia stands against the west wall of the kitchen garden. The decorative loggia holds a belvedere seat for enjoying the shaded location. Next to the loggia is the Dutch Garden, a small, enclosed area.
South of the Chinese Garden is a large arboretum. Many of the trees here were planted in the early 19th century when the house was built, but many more date to after WWII. at the western edge of the garden is an ornamental pond, created in the 1930s.











