The Walled Gardens of Cannington

Tea Room, Plant Sales & Gift Shop

Located within the grounds of a medieval priory, The Walled Gardens of Cannington is an award-winning RHS partner garden that blends classic horticulture with modern design.

Current Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm

Last entry to the gardens: 4pm
Please note: entry fees only apply to the gardens, while the Tea Room, Plant Sales and Gift Shop are free to access. Dogs are welcome (on lead) in the Gardens, but are not allowed in the Tea Room.
RHS members (*on card) have free entry on Saturday/Sunday

Opening Times & Prices

Our opening times change throughout the year, depending on the season, so be sure to check at the top of this page before you visit.

The entry fee for the gardens is currently £7 per adult (free for under 16). You can access our Tea Room, Gift Shop and Plant Sales without a ticket.

The season ticket is now £35/couple and £20/individual. The season ticket includes 1 year free entry into the Gardens (except special events) and 10% discount in the gift shop and plant sales.

Our Tea Room serves light bites and a selection of hot and cold drinks. Visitors are welcome to eat and drink their purchases inside or outside in our Tea Garden (limited seating available).

Please note: gift vouchers can not be used to purchase a season ticket.

Variety of plants in pots on trays in a garden centre, with a large house in the background.

Getting to us

The Walled Gardens can be found on Church Street, Cannington, TA5 2HA.

We have very limited parking adjacent to the Walled Gardens that is often at capacity.

However, we offer overflow parking at the Cannington College Animal Management Centre, only a short 5-10 minute walk away.

A map showing locations of car parks and other areas.

About our Tea Room, Gift Shop & Plant Sales

Your visit doesn’t end on the garden paths. Whether you’re looking to unwind with a fresh treat, pick up a rare specimen for your own garden, or find the perfect locally-sourced gift, our Tea Room, Plant Sales and Gift shop are open to everyone – no garden entry fee required.

Tea and refreshments for your visit

Our small Tea Room serves a variety of light bites and refreshments. Drinks include teas, coffees, hot chocolate, and a selection of soft drinks.

Our menu changes often, but we always try to accommodate for dietary requirements.

Due to our very small tea room capacity, we are unable to accommodate large groups for lunch.

Afternoon tea is available by booking only for £17 per person (a minimum of 4 people per booking applies).

A wooden shelf with various floral ceramic jugs and pitchers
A scone on a plate with a cup and teapot in the background on a table.
A hand pouring a cup of tea next to a brownie on a plate

Take something special home with you

Our Gift Shop and Plant Sales offer specialist items for you to take away with you. All of our plants are propagated on-site from seeds, cuttings and division.

The Gift Shop offers local food items such as jam, chutney, honey, apple juice, and gardening literature, as well as local craft and art.

We also offer the hiring of the venue for events such as weddings, where we would provide logistical help and a list of local wedding service suppliers for a very competitive price.

A fountain in a green pond surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Small potted plants on a wooden tray

What you’ll find in our Gardens

A greenhouse filled with various types of cacti and succulents. The plants are healthy and thriving in the sunny environment.
The Botanical Glasshouse

Showcasing plants from diverse climates, with dedicated tropical, arid, and wet and dry temperate zones.

Vibrant yellow flowers and palm trees against a clear blue sky.
The Sub-tropical Walk

A sheltered path surrounded by lush subtropical plants, featuring bold foliage, exotic textures, and vibrant seasonal colour.

A fountain in a green pond surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
The Blue Garden

A tranquil garden planted with blue-flowering plants and silvery-blue foliage, creating a cool, harmonious palette.

The Mediterranean Garden

A south-facing, warm, sun-drenched space planted exclusively with species native to the Mediterranean regions.

Vibrant purple flowers in front of a historic red brick building with white framed windows.
The Priory Border

A soft, pastel-coloured border inspired by the planting style of Gertrude Jekyll, designed to complement the historic character of the 12th-century priory beyond.

The Southern Hemisphere Garden

A peaceful garden showcasing plants from the Southern Hemisphere, including species from Australasia, South Africa, and South America.

Image of a garden with a bench and a stone monument.
The Bishop’s Garden

A small garden featuring plants associated with religion, species mentioned in the Bible, and traditional medicinal and edible plants.

A blurred view of a brick building with white windows, surrounded by lush greenery and ferns in the foreground.
The Shade Border

A north-facing border for cool, moist conditions, planted with ferns, woodland flowers and bulbs. Layered foliage and seasonal blooms create a lush, tranquil planting scheme that thrives in shade.

Vibrant yellow flowers bloom in a lush garden on a sunny day, with purple buds adding a pop of colour.
The Hot Border

A 72-metre-long herbaceous border planted in a hot palette of reds, oranges, and yellows.

A garden with flowers and trees, a house in the background.
The Winter Garden

A winter-focused garden designed for seasonal interest through structure, contrasting foliage, and scented flowers.

A lush garden path lined with vibrant green and yellow foliage under a bright blue sky.
The Dry Garden

A naturalistic, loosely planted garden of drought-tolerant species, where resilient grasses, shrubs and sun-loving perennials are mixed to create a natural, unforced composition.

Climbing roses with pale pink and cream blooms growing beside a blue garden bench.
The Rose Walk

The central Indian sandstone path is bordered by a colourful and highly scented collection of repeat-flowering roses and lavender.

Step into nearly 900 years of history and botanical beauty

Whether you are a keen gardener, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, our gardens offer a stunning seasonal display year-round.

Designated a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction by VisitEngland, our grounds are much more than just a pretty view. As a dynamic learning environment for Cannington College students, the gardens are maintained to an exceptional standard, featuring diverse plant collections and innovative designs.

Pink and yellow daisies in a garden with green leaves.
Two white water lilies on a pond with green lily pads
Events & Group Visits

Garden Trails

We offer regular seasonal events, including our renowned garden trails. Open to families at Easter and Halloween, you’ll be hunting for treats in the gorgeous garden setting.

This little gem is worth a visit as it’s off the beaten track but has a wonderful planting arrangement in themed gardens and a lovely tropical glasshouse. The staff are delightful and the little cafe does a good choice of light dishes, baked spuds and beverages.

Michael S.

Tripadvisor review

The Walled Gardens of Cannington Enquiry Form

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If your enquiry is urgent or regarding a booking for today, please call the visitor centre directly. Note on Parking: Please note that parking directly outside the gardens is limited. Overflow parking is available at the Animal Management Centre (5-minute walk).
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A vibrant garden with pink and white flowers, tall green trees and a greenhouse in the background on a sunny day.

Wedding receptions

We offer a unique wedding reception venue in Somerset. The stunning gardens provide a perfect backdrop to those all-important photographs to mark your special day, and we provide exclusive use so that you and your guests can celebrate your wedding in the privacy and beauty of the gardens.

For more information or to book a visit, please contact our team on 01278 655042 or email walledgardens@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk.

Horticulture

If you love being outdoors and are interested in plants, Horticulture could be the ideal path for you.

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Term Dates

The academic year, which starts in September, is split into three terms: autumn, spring, and summer. Terms are separated by Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays, respectively.