Chatsworth Garden Insights Tours

A themed walking tour with the Chatsworth garden team taking in seasonal highlights and offering practical insight into how to create and manage a garden.

Join a member of Chatsworth’s expert gardening team for a 2 hour walking tour to gain a practical insight into how to create and manage a garden, particularly focusing on our newer areas of development in the Chatsworth Garden. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask practical questions and get hints and tips for your own garden.

Each tour will be slightly different depending on the time of year:

23 April | Trees, shrubs and flowers

In Spring you will explore essential care techniques for trees, shrubs, and flowers. Learn about pruning Hydrangeas and other plants, feeding and mulching for healthy growth, and creating habitats for pollinators and birds. You’ll have insights into the best tools and techniques for pruning, and discuss how to keep your garden thriving into the growing season.

21 May & 23 July | Wildflowers

Learn about how Chatsworth establishes and manages the wildflowers at Chatsworth, and the importance of wildflowers as a vital part of biodiversity. The tour will focus on James Hitchmough’s meadow and areas along the Arboretum, including the Trout Stream and will include basic wildflower identification, maintenance of long grass areas and the importance of wildflowers for pollinators.

25 June & 24 September | Garden transformation

Explore the recent transformation in the garden, focusing on the designs of Tom Stuart Smith and the garden team, particularly around Arcadia and the Rock Garden. Learn about the site preparation and clearing and the phased implementation of the new designs. Discover insights into planting successes and setbacks, the impact of COVID-19 on progress, and how structural changes like rock stacks and reoriented paths have shaped the Rock Garden. Learn about problems with soil composition and potential disease issues in the Rose Garden and find out which plants perform well.

22 October | Trees, shrubs & flowers

In Autumn learn about deadheading, pruning for shape and wind protection, mulching for winter, and tackling common issues like black spot and powdery mildew. Discover the importance of crown raising, feeding for vibrant blooms, and leaving seed heads for pollinators and birds. You’ll discuss preparing your garden for winter, the benefits of mulching, and why fallen leaves are valuable for soil and wildlife.

23rd April, 21st May, 25th June, 23rd July, 24th September and 22nd October | 10am to 12noon| £30 per person, including garden entry so you can explore the rest of the garden at your leisure