Markshall Estate
Free RHS Member days
5–31 January, 1–24 May, June and September, Tuesday–Sunday, when open
About the garden
Nestled just off the A120 between Colchester and Braintree, Markshall is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. With a rich history spanning more than 1,000 years, Markshall was transformed when its last owner, Thomas Phillips Price, generously gifted his land to the nation. This legacy is preserved through a charitable trust established in 1971, which opened the gates to the public in the early 1990s.
Today, Markshall boasts a breathtaking 200-acre arboretum, featuring trees and shrubs from every temperate region on Earth. Stroll through the picturesque Essex countryside and explore the diverse natural world. Encounter towering conifers from North America, delicate blossoms from Asia and take a journey back in time through Gondwanaland, where you’ll find a large collection of Wollemi pines, along with numerous fragrant eucalyptus trees.
At its heart, you’ll discover the beautifully maintained, historic Walled Gardens, and don’t be surprised if you come across Percy, our resident peacock, or our Egyptian geese, Antony and Cleopatra.
Facilities
- Children’s play area
- Dogs welcome
- Parking
- Plant sales
- Refreshments
- Toilets
Key features
- Sculpture
- Woodland
- Herbaceous border
- Arboretum
- Pond or lake
- Champion trees
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.