Gardeners in Esher
An introduction to the town and some insider tips on places to visit as well as our 3 favourite lunch spots!
A historic town close to London, Esher is surrounded by green space.
The town’s high street has numerous cafes and restaurants to sample. Set just behind the shops is a picturesque green. The Tudor St George’s Church was attended by Queen Victoria when she visited the area and is a periodic venue for music and the arts, as well as occasional evening services. The church is open Saturday mornings during the summer and a key can be obtained from the High Street branch of the estate agent Savills Monday -Saturday throughout the year.
Esher Commons have been designated a site of special scientific interest and cover 360 hectares of ponds, heath and woodland. They provide a superb area for walking, horse riding, bird watching, jogging, dog walking and other outdoor recreational activities.
Some of the best attractions are;
Hampton court Palace – The gardens are stunning and beautifully maintained by an incredible team of gardeners and Henry VIII’s former residence is also fabulous to explore. Now managed by Historic Royal Palaces you can buy tickets online at https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/#gs.100bwuj
Claremont Landscape Garden
Claremont Landscape Garden provides a wonderful hideaway from the rush of modern day life. With nearly 300 years of history to its name, the gardens were once the countryside retreat of the aristocracy and even the royals. Queen Victoria stayed with her Uncle Leopold at Claremont and delighted in the rare chance of freedom, away from the public eye.
The estate has been created and shaped by many of the key influencers in landscape design throughout the years. Sir John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and ‘Capability’ Brown all put their own distinctive stamp on the pleasure grounds, making it into the gardens that visitors enjoy today. There’s plenty to discover on a walk through Claremont, whether it’s the lake, the amphitheatre, the Camellia Terrace or the Belvedere Tower.
Children will love exploring the Thatched Cottage, which is filled with Victorian style games and dressing up clothes. The children’s play area is a great place to let off some steam and there’s always an adventure to be had with our annual programme of events for all ages, whether it’s a Teddy Bear’s Picnic or an Easter Egg Hunt.
No visit would be complete without sampling the tempting array of freshly baked cakes and lunches in our café. There are always seasonal dishes on offer and it’s the perfect place to meet up with friends and family. There’s a shop nestled within the tea-room too, offering a wide range of National Trust products, with books, throws and rugs, children’s toys and games and food to choose from.
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome at Claremont from 1 October to 30 April. Dogs are welcome in the café year round, as it’s separate from our main garden.
There’s always something new to discover at Claremont, with the changing seasons bringing beautiful colour and variety, so make it your sanctuary whatever your mood.
Sandown Park racecourse,
Esher is also the home of Sandown Park racecourse, which hosts races and events throughout the year.
You can choose to spend to go glam and sit in the Premier enclosure or for a more relaxed vibe with family choose the Grandstand.
To see upcoming race days as well as other live music events visit the Sandown website https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/sandown/events-tickets/