Gardens

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Our gardens are now open over the spring, and summer. Please check our Open Days Page for more information!

Come explore our tranquil 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.

In the summer the old fashioned rose garden, with its extensive views towards Charnwood Forest, and the magnificent herbaceous border sheltered by the high brick wall of the working kitchen garden, provide a profusion of colour.

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.