The Story of

Whitlenge Gardens

discover

Opening Hours

TEAROOM AND GARDENS
Our gardens and Tearoom are open.

GARDENS
March – October: Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm

(Last entry to the gardens is 4pm)

November – February: Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm

(Last admission to garden is 3pm, and please be aware the garden and pathways are not lit)

TEAROOM
Monday – Sunday: 10am to 4pm

(Last orders for hot food 3pm, Hot drinks and Cakes served until 3:45pm)

GIFT SHOP
Monday – Sunday: 10am to 4pm

Admission

Admission to the Gardens;
Adults £5.95
Children 2-16 £2.95
Children Under 2 are Free
(All children must be accompanied by an Adult)

Please note – prices may vary for special events

Admission to our Nursery and Tearoom is Free.
Cyclists are very welcome.

Wheel chair access; There are wheelchair accessible paths throughout the Gardens (except the Private Garden which is only open to the public for special events) as well as spacious Disabled toilets. There are some areas of gravel, bark or grass but these are optional.

Food; No Picnics are allowed in the Garden or Play area. Only items purchased from the Tearoom can be consumed in the Play Area – please speak to a member of staff in the case of extenuating circumstances.

Dogs; Guide dogs are welcome at Whitlenge. Other dogs are allowed in the nursery and the Tearoom but not in the gardens or play area.

Play area; Entry to the play area is restricted to visitors who have purchased from the tearoom or bought a ticket for the display gardens.

The story of Whitlenge Gardens.

It all began when garden designer, Keith Southall, bought Whitlenge House Cottage over 30 years ago and began a life’s work of transforming the empty site into the place of beauty and tranquillity one can experience today.

So come and wander through three acres of beautifully landscaped gardens situated in the picturesque Worcestershire countryside.

Site History;
The gardens surround a 17th century cottage which was once part of the Bishop of Worcester’s estate. The house and gardens have served many purposes over the last three centuries; In early years it was a coach house for the estate and later the home of the housekeeper and butler of Whitlenge House, which the cottage stood in the grounds of. It has also been the village dairy and in late Victorian years housed three separate families.
We suspect the house also has a resident from centuries past who we call “Albert” although we now think it may be “Albertine”, but that’s a story you will have to ask us when you visit!

The Gardens;
In recent years Keith has won top R.H.S medals for the gardens he has created at the Malvern Spring Show and the ‘Gardener’s World Live’ show at the N.E.C Birmingham; If you would like inspiration for your own gardens then come and walk through our “Gardens within Gardens” and enjoy the peace and quiet of our little bit of English Heaven.
We pride ourselves on our accessibility for all with disabled access across the site and through the gardens, and so now have wheelchair and pram friendly paths throughout to improve access.

Keith keeps the award winning three acre ‘ideas’ gardens constantly evolving here at Hartlebury, Worcestershire, whilst also continuously improving the five acre specimen plant Nursery, Tearoom and Gift shop adjacent to the show gardens. The gardens are planted with over 600 varieties of mature trees, shrubs, perennials, alpines, heather’s etc, chosen to give all year round colour and interest, with a large percentage being botanically labelled with Kew style professionally engraved labels. With the next generation of gardeners in mind we regularly dress the gardens and hold events to encourage our younger visitors to get involved outdoors.

Keith also runs a Landscaping business where you can harness his knowledge to create your own amazing spaces; an example of the Garden Design procedure can be seen in the entrance of the Tea room where you can stay and enjoy a cuppa or a delicious meal.

Please note that only food purchased on the premises can be consumed on the premises- please ask tearoom staff for dietary needs and special circumstances. NB Dogs not allowed in the garden and children’s play area but are welcome on the nursery and at the first table in the tearoom (we also have outdoor seating).

We are thrilled to announce that Whitlenge have been awarded the ‘certificate of excellence’ from Trip Advisor.