Things To Do Near Melton Mowbray

Easton Walled Gardens is an easy day out from Melton Mowbray, with 12 acres of restored gardens in a quiet Lincolnshire valley. Explore the gardens, stop for coffee or lunch and browse two independent shops specialising in homewares, gifts, stationery and artists’ materials. The Courtyard is free to visit; tickets are only required for the gardens.

A garden to visit from Melton Mowbray

Travel east from Melton Mowbray, across the Vale of Belvoir and into Lincolnshire, and you’ll find Easton tucked away in a small village near Colsterworth and the A1.

The Cholmeley family have lived at Easton since 1561. Easton Hall was demolished in 1951 and its gardens were almost lost with it. Restoration began in 2001, working with the surviving walls, terraces, mature trees and traces of the old gardens.

Today there are 12 acres to explore, running down through the valley towards the River Witham.

What can you do at Easton?

Easton can be a garden visit, somewhere to meet for lunch, a place to shop or a combination of all three.

At Easton you can:

• explore 12 acres of restored gardens
• wander through meadows, orchards and more formal garden areas
• follow paths down towards the River Witham
• discover the Yew Tunnel, Pickery, Turf Maze and Cottage Garden
• see snowdrops, spring bulbs, blossom, roses, meadow flowers and sweet peas through the seasons
• stop for coffee, lunch or homemade cake in The Coffee Room
• browse homewares, garden goods and gifts in The Courtyard Shop
• visit Griffin of Easton for stationery, books and artists’ materials
• join seasonal events, talks and creative workshops

There are also six holiday lets within the gardens if you would like to stay at Easton and explore the surrounding area.

What will I see in the gardens?

Easton changes considerably from one month to the next.

Snowdrops are one of the first highlights of the year, followed by spring bulbs and blossom. Roses, flowering meadows and sweet peas take over as summer arrives, while later in the season grasses, seedheads, fruit and mature trees bring a different character to the gardens.

The old terraces and limestone walls give the gardens their structure, but much of Easton is deliberately less formal. Paths wander through meadows and orchards, beneath mature trees and down through the valley towards the River Witham.

There is no prescribed route. Choose a path and see where it takes you.

A place for gardeners and creative people

The gardens are only part of Easton.

Griffin of Easton is our specialist stationery and artists’ materials shop, with sketchbooks, paints, pencils, pens, papers and materials selected for both enthusiastic beginners and experienced artists.

We also run a changing programme of creative workshops and events, often taking inspiration from the gardens themselves.

Next door, The Courtyard Shop brings together useful and beautiful things for the home and garden, alongside gifts and seasonal finds.

You don’t need a garden ticket to visit either shop.

Coffee and lunch at Easton

The Courtyard is free to visit, and no garden ticket is required to use The Coffee Room or browse the shops.

The Coffee Room serves coffee, lunch and homemade cakes, with seating inside and in The Courtyard.

That means you don’t have to plan a full garden visit every time you come to Easton. You can simply meet a friend for coffee, browse the shops or combine both with a walk around the gardens.

When is the best time to visit Easton Walled Gardens?

There isn’t one best time.

Come early in the season for snowdrops and spring bulbs, later in spring for blossom and fresh growth, and in summer for roses, flowering meadows and Easton’s sweet peas. Autumn brings grasses, seedheads and changing colour through the gardens.

Many regular visitors return during the year because the gardens can look remarkably different from one visit to the next.

For current opening days and admission, please check Opening Times & Prices before travelling.

Where is Easton Walled Gardens from Melton Mowbray?

Easton Walled Gardens is east of Melton Mowbray, across the Vale of Belvoir and close to Colsterworth and the A1 in Lincolnshire.

Free visitor parking is available at Easton.

See Getting Here for directions before travelling.

Plan your visit

Opening days, events and garden admission change during the year, so you can find the latest information on:

• Opening Times & Prices — current garden opening and admission
• What’s On — events, workshops and special days
• Getting Here — directions to Easton
• Plan Your Visit — practical information for your visit

Frequently asked questions

What gardens can I visit near Melton Mowbray?

Easton Walled Gardens is a 12-acre restored garden east of Melton Mowbray, near Colsterworth in Lincolnshire. The gardens include meadows, terraces, orchards, the Pickery, Yew Tunnel and Turf Maze, with planting that changes throughout the seasons.

Is Easton Walled Gardens near Melton Mowbray?

Yes. Easton lies east of Melton Mowbray, across the Vale of Belvoir and close to the A1 at Colsterworth.

Is there somewhere to eat at Easton Walled Gardens?

Yes. The Coffee Room serves coffee, lunch and homemade cakes. It is in The Courtyard, so you don’t need to pay garden admission to visit it.

Can I visit the shops without going into the gardens?

Yes. The Courtyard Shop and Griffin of Easton are both free to visit. Garden admission is separate.

Do I need to book to visit Easton Walled Gardens?

You do not normally need to pre-book for general garden admission. Workshops, special events and experiences may require advance booking.

Are dogs allowed at Easton Walled Gardens?

Dogs on leads are welcome in The Courtyard, shops and Coffee Room. Assistance dogs are welcome in the gardens during normal opening, and designated Dog Days are held when visitors can bring dogs into the gardens.