The gardens of Eaton Hall, home to the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, are open to the public this month to raise money for Chester charity SPACE, which supports children with additional needs.

The Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate charity garden open day takes places on Sunday, 25 August, from 10.15am until 5pm.As well as the 88-acre gardens, which includes a kitchen garden, a wildflower garden, a lake walk, a tea house and the camelia walk, visitors can explore the courtyard complex – created as part of a rebuilding scheme in 1870 – where there will be charity stalls, traditional games as well as choir performances and organ recitals in the Eaton chapel.

The family focussed fundraising event also includes a performance from a children’s entertainer, an owl display and music from the Little Big Band throughout the day. Subject to availability, steam engine aficionados can also enjoy a ride on the Eaton railway, a historic narrow-gauge line that connected the hall to nearby mainline services to transport deliveries and fuel. While the original railway was removed in 1947 when the hall was leased to the War Department, a circular route was reinstated in 1996 and remains a popular attraction at the garden open days.

Tickets for the Eaton railway can only be purchased in advance with an event ticket. Light refreshments will be available at the courtyard as well as from mobile vendors around the gardens. Visitors are also welcome to bring picnics, rugs and seating. Visiting the 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, a Chester based charity that supports children with additional needs and their families by providing a range of services including a fully accessible play centre, parent and sibling support groups, after school groups as well as wellbeing support and counselling.

To book visit

No tickets are available on the gate. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £5 for children (aged from four to 15), infants are free. Family tickets are available and there is no charge for carers or companions. Free hire of mobility equipment is subject to availability and must be pre-booked with your event tickets.

Parking is free and dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short lead and under close control. Eaton Hall is a private home and is not open to the public. Gates open at 10am and the events run from 10.15am until 5pm. Last entry is 4pm.