Grosvenor's Eaton Estate charity garden open day

Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate charity garden open days help to raise much needed funds for local charities by welcoming visitors to enjoy the gardens of Eaton Hall, home to the Duke of Westminster. Visiting Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate is also an opportunity to learn more about Grosvenor’s activities and how these strive to provide economic, social and environmental benefit to the local area.

This year’s beneficiary charity is SPACE (spacecheshire.org). SPACE are a Chester based charity that provides a fun, safe and accessible environment in which children with disabilities and additional needs have the opportunity to play. They also provide support and resources for their parents, siblings and carers, including counselling, support groups and guidance. SPACE were founded in 2014 by a group of parents of children with disabilities and additional needs who were frustrated by the lack of appropriate play resources and support groups. Their specially designed centre offers a fully fitted and padded sensory room, accessible soft play and a range of activities for all abilities.

The event includes charity fundraising stalls in the Courtyard (cash only), The Little Big Band playing in the garden and a children's entertainer. The hosting charity also organises activities for children which can include a garden trail, crafts and other activities.

Key information for visitors about the event

• Tickets are pre-book only. No tickets are available at the gates on the day. You will be required to show your tickets at the outer vehicular entry points and again at the pedestrian garden entry point.

• The gates open for parking from 10am and the event runs from 10.15am until 5pm. Last entry is 4pm.

• Access to the event is via the Belgrave, Aldford and Eccleston Gates. (Coaches via Belgrave Gate B5445 Wrexham Road CH4 9DJ only).

• There is free car parking. Car parking stewards will direct visitors, please follow their instructions. Please note that all parking is on grass.

• The Gardens and Courtyard will be open. Eaton Hall is a private home and is not open to the public.

• Toilet facilities are available at the Courtyard and additionally in the gardens near the pedestrian entry point.

• Blue badge holders should display these for the stewards on arrival at the outer gates so they can be directed to the correct parking area. Please note that accessible parking is on grass.

• Free hire of mobility equipment is subject to availability and must be pre-booked with your event tickets. If mobility equipment is fully booked, it will be necessary for visitors to bring their own equipment, if required. Accessible routes around the gardens are displayed in the programme, which is provided to visitors for free on arrival. Please see here for our full access statement.

• Mobility equipment can become available during the day, please visit the Dial West Cheshire stand at the entrance to the event if you require assistance.

• There are a number of water features in the gardens, children must be supervised at all times.

• Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead and under close control. Please clean up after your dog. No dogs are permitted in the indoor Courtyard refreshment area except Assistance Dogs.

Refreshments

• Light refreshments will be available at the Courtyard and to purchase at various points from mobile vendors around the gardens.

• Picnics are welcome. You are welcome to bring rugs/seating. Please take your waste home or use the bins provided.

Refunds

• Refunds will only be issued if the event is cancelled and will be paid using the same method you used to buy the tickets within 10 days following the date of the event.

About the gardens

There are records of the gardens of Eaton Hall being opened to the public for charity as early as 1845.

The gardens extend to 88 acres and have been developed over many years by prominent designers, most recently by Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd. The gardens have a wide variety of planting, including four formal colour-themed rose gardens and grand colour-themed herbaceous borders. The hot border was re-planted in 2022 and there is a stunning bedding scheme in the Dragon Garden which is not to be missed. Visitors can also enjoy the walled Kitchen Garden, as well as the wildflower garden and the lake walk, where you can take in fabulous views of the Hall and grounds. Finally, the Dutch Tea House is filled with roses and herbs and sits perfectly at the end of a short walk past the lake area. The Camellia Walk is open however it is only in bloom in early spring.

Eaton Courtyard

The Eaton Hall Courtyard complex was created as part of a grand rebuilding scheme which began in 1870, commissioned by Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, then the third Marquess of Westminster (who later became the first Duke of Westminster in 1874). Architect Alfred Waterhouse – who went on to design Manchester Town Hall and the Natural History Museum in London – was brought in to completely transform the house into a Neo-Gothic palace. Under Waterhouse, the Hall was refurbished as well as new additions including the Courtyard buildings which were constructed adjacent to Eaton Hall to provide stabling for horses and accommodation for the staff involved in their care.

The ‘Waterhouse Hall’ was demolished in 1963 after the building fell into disrepair – having first being handed over to the war office in 1917 as a hospital and then to the Ministry of Defence in 1943, firstly as the Royal Naval College and then from 1946 to 1960 as an Officer Cadet Training School. Only the Chapel, its six storey (182 ft) clock tower – which can be seen for miles across the Cheshire plain – and the Courtyard remained.

At the Courtyard, visitors can take the opportunity to see Eaton Chapel, with its splendid stained-glass windows by Frederic James Shields, dating back to 1870, the carriage museum and former stables, as well as exhibitions on the Grosvenor family's history.

The Eaton railway

The Eaton railway was a historic narrow-gauge line built for the first Duke which connected the Hall to mainline services at nearby Balderton to transport deliveries and fuel. The original railway was removed in 1947 during the period when Eaton Hall was leased to the War Department. A circular route through the deer park was reinstated in 1996 and is a popular attraction at the garden open days.

Please note, tickets for the Eaton railway can only be purchased with an event ticket, are subject to availability and are pre-book only. No train tickets will be available for sale at the event. Dogs are not permitted on the train.

Future Garden Open Days

Charities wishing to apply to host a Grosvenor's Eaton Estate charity garden open day can apply via the Westminster Foundation, an independent grant making trust and registered charity representing the charitable interests of The Duke of Westminster and Grosvenor businesses, which provides long-term sustainable help to vulnerable young people, here

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Eaton Hall Gardens, Eaton Park, Chester, United Kingdom