Chanticleer: A Pleasure Garden

Move over, Longwood Gardens! Chanticleer is my new favorite! “Pleasure garden” is a totally fitting way to describe it.  The beautiful mile-long gravel path is a breeze to walk or roll along in a wheelchair. But the true character of the garden is discovered along the small, winding paths. It feels intimate and close to nature. Around every single corner, you stumble upon a brand-new scene. It is a garden meant for slowly wandering and exploring. Come along with Jessica and me on our recent visit to Chanticleer!

Chanticleer House

We kicked off our visit with a tour of the main house. It was built back in 1912 by the Rosengarten family as a summer escape from busy Philadelphia. Stepping into the living room was a pleasant surprise. We found cozy chairs and a fireplace. Windows on both sides let the fresh air flow right through. The home feels welcoming and comfortable. It’s an ideal place where children can spend their days exploring outside and relaxing inside, completely free to just be kids.

Asian Woods

As we walked the main path, the first area we entered was the Asian Woods. On a warm August day, it provided an enjoyable, shady refuge. Shady stone paths wind through a lush woodland filled with East Asian flora. We loved finding a charming Japanese “teahouse” tucked among the bamboo. Though, it’s actually a clever disguise for the restrooms! Around one of the turns, we discovered an Asian stone lantern. It was surrounded by rocks and ferns on a mossy lawn, making it feel so serene and peaceful. Green bamboo-etched chairs invited us to sit and take in the woodland.

Bell’s Woodland

Leaving the Asian Woods behind, we dove right into the trails of Bell’s Woodland. We tossed the map aside and just followed the most inviting path. Following a burbling stream and stepping across mossy stones to cross it was enchanting. And neither of us fell in!

Picnicking

By early afternoon, we had worked up an appetite. Keep in mind that there is no food sold on-site, but that is actually part of the charm! The garden offers four lovely spaces to sit back and enjoy a bite to eat in the fresh air. As we unpacked our lunch, a cheeky little chipmunk kept popping up and disappearing in a game of peekaboo! He was likely hoping for a share of our snacks, making our woodland lunch quite the entertaining affair.

Bonus tip: If you can plan your trip for a Friday evening, you get an extra-special perk. During those extended hours, you are allowed to spread out a blanket and picnic anywhere across the entire property!

The Ruins

We did not want to miss The Ruins. That name alone is enough to spark anyone’s curiosity!

Back in 1999, the old Minder House was torn down. In its place, designers built a fake stone “ruin” featuring a series of outdoor rooms. It is such a creative way to honor the past and gave us a wonderful sense of discovery.

As we walked through, climbing vines softened the stone walls, and a waterfall filled the air with the sound of rushing water. We even noticed stone faces carved into the design, perhaps a nod to the home’s former occupants.

The Great Hall features a water table that reflects the tree canopy, and I even dipped my finger in just to make sure it was real water! That casual, overgrown feel actually takes some serious gardening skill. It is a magical spot that lets your imagination run wild thinking about the people who used to live here.

The Gravel Garden

On our way back to the main path, we strolled through The Gravel Garden. It was definitely soaking up the August sun! This spot has a true Mediterranean feel, filled with plants that love dry soil and hot weather.

The coolest part? Giant “Flintstones-style” rock furniture! Climbing vines and greenery softened the hard stone seats. And to our absolute delight, there was even a remote control sitting right on the arm of the couch!

Accessibility

Chanticleer does a wonderful job of welcoming visitors of all abilities. The one-mile main paved path is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The smaller paths that Jessica and I wandered are for explorers of all ages. And everywhere we went, there was creative seating inviting us to pause and soak in the scene.

Planning Your Visit

Every season at Chanticleer has its own special magic. The entire grounds is a living, ever-changing work of art!

You might want to plan your trip around one of their special programs. Two that really caught my eye are the Garden Photography Workshop and the Tea & Talk. You can check out all their upcoming opportunities online. Just be sure to book early, because these programs fill up fast!

Parking is completely free, though you need to grab reservations ahead of time on their busiest days. General admission is $15, and our house tour cost an extra $10. You might want to plan your visit for a Friday evening when you are allowed to picnic anywhere in the garden! You can click right over to their website to find more information and book your tickets.

Longwood might win on sheer scale, but Chanticleer completely stole our hearts. It feels like a living, breathing secret just waiting to be shared. Do yourself a favor, ditch your schedule, grab a friend and go find your own favorite nook!  

When I am not out exploring public gardens, you can usually find me right in my own backyard. I love staging whimsical little scenes for my feathered and furred friends to play in. It might look like something straight out of a fairytale. But I promise—it’s entirely real!

Visit https://azarelgreetings.com/