Chanticleer Foundation

It’s such a cool place to go and just enjoy some nature. I think the $ 10 rate is pretty reasonable considering you can spend quite some time there (and even cheaper if you have a Radnor Library card, so go pick one up!). There are big open areas as well as more covered, secluded areas that each have their own unique atmosphere, despite the park being somewhat small.

To explain by comparison…
Longwood is all garden and not much for the house portion (humble compared to Winterthur, Glencairn or Nemours).
But Winterthur, Glencairn and Nemours are all house and not much for gardens, when compared to Longwood.
Chanticleer, while much smaller overall, is pretty strong in both the house and garden departments, which makes it a very promising choice. (The Chanticleer house is a fraction of the size of Winterthur, and Chanticleer’s gardens are a fraction of the size of Longwood, to gauge magnitude.)
Similar to Longwood, there are a variety of gardens, each bearing a different theme. However, unlike Longwood, Chanticleer includes a lot of sculpture and art in their aesthetic, which is nice to see as something different.
The DuPont homes are all influenced by European classic gardening, which utilize some Romantic statuary, Greek– or Roman-​inspired ornamental «temples» and such, containers here and there in geometric symmetry, and maybe a sundial. Masonry is practical: for paths, seating, steps or walls, and it doesn’t try to interact much with the gardens. The DuPont homes are museums dedicated to representing how those properties were during their heyday, so it is fitting and appreciated that they are kept preserved that way.
But it is also appreciated that Chanticleer offers something different.
The Chanticleer gardens are all very maintained, and the paths are easily walkable, and accessible to the disabled.
At the same time, Chanticleer’s gardens are much more organic and natural looking. Much of the style is English, with the unwieldy grasses and wildflowers, all composed through the ordered chaos this style is known for. Of course there are Asian elements, and other looks going on, but somehow it all comes together under the ideology of allowing plants to do their plant thing, and that seems to be the MO here. It has a pacifying effect to see respect for nature this way.
While perhaps similar in style, the look of the 27 acres of gardens today at Chanticleer is not what it was in Adolph Rosengarten’s time. However, I feel the foundation has probably improved on the former look of the property, and has honored it well, which is serendipitous since it offers a look and style set apart from other local greats.
I try to visit gardens wherever I travel. Chanticleer comes closest to Kew Gardens outside of London in terms of the feel of the designs, and the use of the stylish sculptural and seating elements.
Another reviewer mentioned the picnics in the summer, which our neighbors used to go to a lot. We live about 2.5 miles away, so it is very handy. And yes, on the live music, they have had it. This is a really nice touch that similar places would not permit. Winterthur allows summer evening strolls in the garden, but you cannot picnic. And unless you go to the designated picnic area outside of the estate, you can forget about it with Longwood; they also took away the drinking fountains and charge for water now! So the laid back feeling at Chanticleer is a breath of fresh air, and much appreciated.

What a neat little treasure, hidden in the back roads of the mainline. My aunt wanted to do the full house tour, so we popped by on an early Saturday morning. Prior to the tour, we got to explore the sunken garden, which was lovely and full of different flowers I never saw before. I even saw a hummingbird, which are rare around here.
We also explored the wild flower garden and veggie garden. If you like kale in your salad, you should see it growing from the ground since it really is a beaut.
The tour itself is pretty short. I enjoyed exploring the outside gardens more than the house, but that was mostly because it was a bit modest. The guide was good though, so perhaps it is worth it. The pool area was beautiful and I could picture myself lounging there (when I win the lottery of course).
I enjoyed that the gardens were more wild and speckled with different species, but my aunt prefers more french inspired gardens — more topiary and such. I could spend all my time in the ruins. It is definitely a good little place to spend an afternoon. In the spring, you can picnic on the grounds on Friday nights. That sounds like a pretty neat date.

The gardens are Beautiful! It really is a Must see. Only downfall there isn’t any café to eat at, or even a little gift shop to get a drink at. We saw that everyone packed a lunch– so note for next time. Also use or bring bug spray (we went in August) and the bugs were pesky;)

Unbelievable. Un-​be-​FREAKING-​lievable. You’ve been to Longwood a dozen times, right? It’s amazing, isn’t it? Well, it turns out that there is more than one way to be an amazing, world-​class horticultural jewel. Chanticleer is smaller, more private, more… Hell, I don’t know: polished? There’s lots more chairs? You should just come. It’s absolutely amazing.

Amazing place
Brought the kids here free
10bucks each for the adults
Nice stroll right after breakfast
The gardens are a sight to see… coolest part is when the kids pointed out different plants they had never seen… I have never seen as well

Cool botanical garden, fun to explore –
I think I’m spoiled by places like Atlanta Botanical Garden (tons of orchids) and Lotus Land (90% of the world’s population of cacti)

Love Chanticleer! The gardens are beautiful, the staff friendly, and what I like best is that there are Adirondack chairs placed throughout so that you’re invited not just to stroll through the grounds but to stay awhile and thoroughly enjoy nature. A great spot for photographers, picnickers, and green thumbs.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. There are many different parts of Chanticleer to explore– it’s hard to get bored, even if you’ve been many times. Bring your camera and good walking shoes and plan on spending a few hours here.
The only downside is that it costs $ 10 for each non-​member to get in. Ouch.

This place is great, but please don’t tell anyone.
I wouldn’t want the quiet gardens, or rolling hills, or sunflower patches, or convenient picnic areas or wonderful staff at Chanticleer to be overrun with noisy folks, looking for an inexpensive day out.
So please… keep it a secret between you and I.

O.k. well I guess I shouldn’t tell anyone that this 37 + acre estate is like paradise and you can see it for $ 10 or buy a summer pass for $ 35– for a single person, $ 60 for a couple. They employ 7 full time gardeners to keep this incredible botanical garden paradise looking so pretty. I love it here. Flowers, plants Japan– ponds with koi, lily pads and lotus flowers, gorgeously landscaped frolicking hills, hand made wood carved chairs, fountains– this is like a a huge ritzy Disneyland for any nature lover. During the summer on Friday nights between 5 and 8 p.m. they encourage people to bring their own dinner and have a picnic. I think they even have live music sometimes. They don’t do weddings but I plan on having a secret ceremony in a particular spot here if– oops I mean WHEN Mr. Right ever comes along– I’ll have my reception somewhere else and probably catered by Carlinos. This is like the Barnes Foundation of gardens– it is a secret because– well it is located in Radnor– I will say no more. I will be spreading the word about Chanticleer.

Chanticleer is a fantastic place to escape from the rat race. The gardens are superb. They offer a variety of the settings, sculpture and beautiful vistas. In the summers I like to go on a Friday evening (from May to August they are open until 8 PM Fridays) with several bottles of wine, a light picnic, some good friends and just decompress. Leave the kids at home. They’ll be bored by the tranquility. At $ 5 a head, the experience is a bargain. And if you have a Radnor Township library card-it’s free!

I’m really not sure if I want to let the word out about what a beautiful, serene setting you will find here.
I took my brother and his girlfriend here the other weekend while it was still chilly and nothing had sprouted. They are world travelers, so I did not know what their reaction would be. I was so glad when we finished our walk– they turned to me and gave me a hug and thanked me. They said it was such a pleasant, enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning walking through.
Make sure you visit the bathrooms just behind where you make your entrance payment of $ 5 per person. The show actually starts in the parking lot where you will see the most gorgeous beauty berry bushes. Then you start at the small mansion and wind your way down the path and your eyes don’t know what to feast on first. Depending on what time of year you arrive, you are delighted by what is peeking out of the earth, or you may be greeted by pots and pots of hot house plants strategically arranged on the patio. There are so many gardeners per square acre that everything is kept beautifully manicured, but looks so natural.
I have been here even in a light raining mist and enjoyed walking through. The experience lends itself to another worldliness.
I never thought to bring a picnic lunch and spend more time, but that sounds wonderful.
For the money, I give this a 5 star over long wood gardens and Winterthur.
Don’t miss this if you are in the area.
And for your information there is another set of bathrooms in the asian garden further down on your walk.
They have plant lists in each section in little wooden boxes so if you are so inclined you can take the lists out and scope out the names of the plantings to look them up afterwards. You can even buy the plant listings.

Awesome gardens! I had the privilege of going here as a PHS Member’s date — my coworker JJD invited me. It was for a PHS sponsored event, and there were tents with food, wine, and music scattered throughout the gardens. My favorites were the Ruin, the Pond, the Asian, and the Vegetable gardens. It is a wonderful way to spend a beautiful day or early evening!

This is a beautiful escape from the city. You can spend a day just lying on the open fields to catch some rays in the center of the garden, or spend a fraction of the afternoon exploring the artistic gardens. I was a big fan of the ruins and gravel garden… where even a sofa was made from rocks. Too cute! I think Chanticleer is a great setting for a picnic, but bring your own… because there is no food services. Admission is $ 5/​adult or $ 20 for a season pass. Go, and enjoy the peaceful setting!