Things To Do Near Stamford

Easton Walled Gardens is around 20 minutes from Stamford, with 12 acres of restored gardens to explore. Visitors can also enjoy The Coffee Room, The Courtyard Shop and Griffin of Easton. The Courtyard is free to visit; tickets are only required to enter the gardens.

Why visit Easton Walled Gardens from Stamford?

Just a short drive north of Stamford, Easton Walled Gardens lies at the end of a quiet Lincolnshire village, in a valley beside the River Witham.

The Cholmeley family have lived at Easton since 1561, but the gardens you see today are the result of a much more recent story. Easton Hall was demolished in 1951 and the gardens were largely lost. Restoration began in 2001, working with the old walls, terraces, mature trees and surviving features of the original gardens.

Today there are 12 acres to explore, with formal and informal planting, meadows, orchards and kitchen gardens unfolding down the valley.

It is an easy place to spend a few hours away from Stamford — and one that changes markedly with the seasons.

What can you do at Easton?

You don’t have to make a whole day of it. Come for a walk around the gardens and a cup of coffee, meet a friend for lunch, browse the shops or stay longer and explore.

At Easton you can:

• explore 12 acres of restored gardens
• walk beside the River Witham and through the meadows
• see the Yew Tunnel, Pickery, Turf Maze and Cottage Garden
• enjoy snowdrops, spring bulbs, 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 for visitors who would like to stay at Easton.

What will I see in the gardens?

Easton is not a garden designed to be seen at a single moment of the year.

In late winter, snowdrops spread beneath the trees and along the banks. Spring brings bulbs, blossom and new growth through the meadows and borders. Roses and meadow flowers take over as summer approaches, followed by the sweet peas for which Easton has become particularly well known.

The gardens themselves move between the more formal spaces around the old terraces and looser areas of meadow, orchard and woodland. Paths lead down towards the River Witham and back up through the gardens, with old walls, mature trees and surviving traces of the former estate throughout.

It is a garden that rewards wandering rather than following a prescribed route.

When is the best time to visit Easton Walled Gardens?

There isn’t really one best time.

Come early in the year for snowdrops and spring bulbs; later in spring for blossom and fresh growth; in summer for roses, meadows and sweet peas; or in autumn when grasses, seedheads and mature trees begin to change colour.

Many of our regular visitors come more than once during the year because the gardens can look completely different from one visit to the next.

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

Can I visit The Courtyard without visiting the gardens?

Yes. The Courtyard is free to visit and you do not need a garden ticket to use The Coffee Room or visit the shops.

The Courtyard is home to The Coffee Room, The Courtyard Shop and Griffin of Easton, our specialist stationery and artists’ materials shop.

So if you are coming from Stamford simply to meet someone for coffee, have lunch or browse the shops, there is no garden admission to pay.

How far is Easton Walled Gardens from Stamford?

Easton Walled Gardens is around 20 minutes by car from Stamford.

We are at Easton, near Colsterworth, with easy access from the A1. Free parking is available at the gardens.

See Plan Your Visit for directions and practical information.

Plan your visit

Easton Walled Gardens is open seasonally, and opening days can vary during the year.

• Opening Times & Prices — current garden opening and admission
• What’s On — events, workshops and special days
• Plan Your Visit — directions, parking, accessibility and other practical information

Frequently asked questions

Is Easton Walled Gardens near Stamford?

Yes. Easton Walled Gardens is around 20 minutes by car from Stamford, making it an easy garden visit or countryside day out from the town.

What gardens can I visit near Stamford?

Easton Walled Gardens is a 12-acre restored garden around 20 minutes from Stamford. The gardens include meadows, terraces, orchards, the Pickery, Yew Tunnel, Turf Maze and seasonal displays including snowdrops and sweet peas.

Do I need to book to visit Easton Walled Gardens?

You do not normally need to pre-book for a general garden visit. Some workshops, events and experiences do require advance booking, so check What’s On if you are visiting for a particular event.

Is there somewhere to eat at Easton Walled Gardens?

Yes. The Coffee Room in The Courtyard serves coffee, lunch and homemade cakes. The seasonal Applestore also opens in the gardens on selected busy days.

Can I visit the shops without paying to enter the gardens?

Yes. The Courtyard, The Courtyard Shop, Griffin of Easton and The Coffee Room are all free to visit. Garden admission is separate.

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 we hold designated Dog Days when visitors can bring dogs into the gardens.