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About
We are delighted to be welcoming the public back to visit the gardens at open days from June 2025 through to September.
The current owners brought the Abbey in mid 2024 and have a keen focus on conservation, biodiversity, land stewardship and a love of historic buildings and gardens.
A wide variety of recent garden projects have added to the sense of scale within this glorious historic setting. The peace of the garden within this wonderful setting will be enjoyed by all who visit.
The gardens have been maintained since the last open day in 2023 by head gardener Chis Cork and his growing team of staff and volunteers.
If you are a returning visitor, you will notice some of the recent works to the hedgerows and surround fields to increase biodiversity and native habitats. We have welcomed bees back to Beeleigh Abbey with the construction of 15 cedarwood beehives and Jacob sheep to graze on the adjoining fields.
The Rose Garden has completed the first phase of its redevelopment in early 2025 with beautiful historic David Austin roses being replaced, interplanted with perennials to add seasonal colour.
The grounds at Beeleigh Abbey include three acres of beautifully maintained gardens in a historic countryside setting, with mature trees surrounding the many plant and water features. There are also woodland walks leading to the tidal River Chelmer, Beeleigh Falls, cottage & bog gardens, along with an extensive formal rose garden filled with over 300 English roses, kitchen & soft fruit garden, orchard, wildflower meadow, wisteria walk, and stunning 85 metre long mixed border displays.
Specimen trees include species such as Magnolia, Tulip, and Indian Bean to name just a few.
The extensive lawn contains the remains of a 12th century abbey incorporated into a mainly 17th century private residence, with a new ornamental glasshouse & herb garden being completed in 2020.
The herb garden and ornamental glasshouse is always a particular delight for visitors. The herb garden includes a patio area, water rill and water feature as well as growing a wide range of both culinary and medicinal herbs. The glasshouse measures 13M x 3.5M. and is divided into 3 growing areas. The central area houses tender climbers and citrus. The left hand side grows peach, grapes, tomatoes and other seasonal fruit and vegetables. The right hand side features a display of seasonal pot plants.
The much-loved Tea Cabin and Courtyard refreshment area remains, with an excellent selection of cakes and light lunches planned for 2025. This space has been created in the midst of Mediterranean style planting and pot displays
What to see in the season:
April starts the season with primroses, daffodils and tulips, together with camellias, magnolias and fruit blossom. A further 4,000 bulbs were planted in autumn 2019.
May has spring bedding, and bulbs displayed in the mixed borders, along with magnolias and rhododendrons. Enjoy the bluebells that lead down to the river, and then later in the month the wisteria arches that divide the soft fruit garden from the rose garden.
In June, roses take centre stage now totalling around 600, from the formal rose garden & hybrid tea bed to many shrub, climbing & rambling roses.
In July, the cottage, bog gardens and meadow are at their best. With the kitchen, soft fruit gardens full of produce.
In August, summer bedding displays are at their peak. The extensive mixed borders are now full of colour with many different perennials & shrubs.
September the roses put on another great display. Harvest time in the kitchen garden & orchard.
Level gravel paths and grass give access to most of the gardens with gentle slopes down to the river. There is a wheelchair accessible WC.
Guide Prices
Adult entry is £7 and children (aged 5-16) are £2.50. Children under 5 are free.
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
Catering
- On-site catering
- On-site light refreshments
Children
- Children welcome
Property Facilities
- Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
- Gift shop
- Public toilets
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
