http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/Gardens-Cheshire-and-Englands-Northwest-2008 by Northwest Regional Development Agency

GARDENS of Cheshire & England’s Northwest 2008 Enjoy horticultural treats across the Northwest The best places to stay, eat and shop

Discover Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction

So what can you expect from the gardens and landscapes open to the public in the region? The spectrum of garden styles and landscapes are amply represented from the glorious Temple Garden overlooked by the magnificent Gothic architectural showcase of Cholmondeley Castle to the wide open 300 year old, rolling parkland that wraps its way around the Jacobean style Capesthorne Hall.

Clockwise from far left: Arley Hall & Gardens Ness Botanic Gardens Capesthorne Hall Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Glorious

Chris Beardshaw (gardens writer and presenter) takes a look at the gardens of England’s Northwest during Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08

gardens of England’s Northwest The desire to visit gardens, landscapes and historic properties has never been higher. Traditionally visitors were delighted to be permitted to experience gardens and houses that were acknowledged and promoted by experts and academics as of importance. However, today’s visitors are much more demanding and discerning. The expectation of quality goes without saying and the gardens of England’s Northwest certainly don’t disappoint with Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 driving an exciting and diverse range of activities to suit all tastes and styles.

“...a tantalising glimpse of what is possibly the best representation of paradise in the country.”

{o find out more on the gardens of England’s 3 Northwest visit...enw.co.uk/gardens

If plant collections are your fascination then try visiting amongst others the internationally famous Ness Botanic Gardens, especially in late spring when the azalea and rhododendron collections light up the landscape with glamorous and vibrant blooms.

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Venture into the 35 acre arboretum at Jodrell Bank where horticultural specimens vie for attention next to the spaceage architecture of the research station. If browsing aweinspiring borders or seeking inspiration from extravagant plant combinations is more your style, then prepare to be wowed by what have been described as the ‘finest herbaceous borders in England’ and have been tended by the same family for 250 years at Arley Hall & Gardens.

“...prepare to be wowed by what have been described as the finest herbaceous borders in England.”

Glorious Gardens of England’s Northwest A foreword by gardens writer and presenter, Chris Beardshaw

Celebrating Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08

Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction

Cheshire’s Year of Gardens Event Highlights

Chester & Cheshire Events Listing

Four Seasons Music Festival

Cheshire’s Floating Garden Festival

The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park

Tatton Park Biennial

Do the Floral Walk

England’s Northwest Map

Cheshire Essentials

Liverpool City Region

Lancashire

Manchester

The Lake District & Cumbria

Front cover image shows: Little Moreton Hall

Holehird

Helping Northwest gardens to thrive The National Gardens Scheme

Alternatively, visit Tatton Park where the rolling landscape encircles Topiary, Japanese and walled gardens of great abundance. For those in search of history, discover the oldest Lime Avenue in England at Adlington Hall, or relive the life of Shakespeare’s infamous ‘Dark Lady’ at Gawsworth Hall where the Elizabethan pleasure gardens are enhanced with open air theatre. There are gardens in unexpected places including places such as Chester Zoo in which the 7,000 animals share the limelight with numerous delightful themed gardens. For many, the chance to visit a garden is nothing more than an excuse to breathe the fresh air, stroll with friends and family in a relaxed environment. Historic locations are available for visitors to relax, refresh and recharge themselves. Along the way, you can experience the most essential and valuable attribute of a great garden – to allow a tantalising glimpse of what is possibly the best representation of paradise in the country.

By opening privately owned gardens to the public, the NGS scheme raises money for charity. Every year, thousands of people visit an NGS garden and there are 80 in the Northwest to choose from. Tel: 01483 211535 www.ngs.org.uk

The Historic Houses Association The HHA exists to help private owners maintain Britain’s historic houses and gardens, for the benefit of the nation and for future generations. It represents more than 1,500 properties, most of which provide some form of public access, in turn making a hugely important contribution to many rural economies through tourism. Tel: 020 7259 5688 www.hha.org.uk

Association of Garden Trusts This body exists to promote and support public gardens across the UK, helping with the restoration of existing gardens as well as the creation of new ones. www.gardenstrusts.org.uk

Celebrating

Cheshire’s Year of G ardens

From the drifts of bluebells in the shady woods of Dunham Massey in spring to the vivid palette of Red Twigged Limes in The Quinta Arboretum in winter, Cheshire’s gardens promise a kaleidoscope of colour whatever time you visit. And this year is set to be even more spectacular, as we are celebrating Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08. Whether nationally recognised or locally treasured, part of a magnificent country estate or a private home, we’re paying tribute to all of our gardens – great and small – and the people that have created, nurtured and loved them. With an exciting year long programme of events, everyone will have the chance to experience the unique sights, scents and sounds that make Cheshire’s gardens some of the finest examples in the world. Uncover one of the country’s finest botanical gardens; be enchanted by a romantic temple garden; discover the region’s best-kept secrets and some of the most unusual species of perennials, trees and shrubs in the world. Every corner is filled with pretty rose walks, fragrant herb gardens and ancient borders just waiting to be explored.

Clockwise from top: Tatton Park Gawsworth Hall Quinta Arboretum

Stroll through the snowdrop walks at Rode Hall in February; be dazzled by Dunge Valley’s fabulous displays of azaleas in May or experience an awesome autumn filled with fiery maples in Tatton’s Japanese Garden. Every season brings with it the chance to be captivated by breathtaking scenery crafted by some of the nation’s finest gardeners, as well as a whole host of exciting events.

Bringing more music, arts, sport and family fun into our gardens Not only full of surprises for our green-fingered guests, this year offers plenty of enchanting activities for young and old alike. Sample some of the freshest local food served up in gorgeous historical settings, enjoy a lazy concert on the lawn with live music and spectacular fireworks or join in the family fun at the Pumpkin Games. From abstract art to celebrity tennis, evenings of opera to winter delights, this year there’s something special for everyone to enjoy. Start planning your visit to Cheshire today and embrace this chance to take part in the rich cultural heritage that defines Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction.

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True Blues Bluebell Cottage Gardens, Dutton Tel: 01928 713718 www.lodgelane.co.uk One of Cheshire’s best-kept secrets, this secluded garden wraps around the cottage in a series of linked ‘rooms’. Wide herbaceous borders display over 2,000 varieties of hardy trees, shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants. New for 2008 are two perennial borders that have been created to celebrate Cheshire’s Year of Gardens – providing beauty and interest from early spring to late autumn. Why not tie in your visit with Cheshire’s countywide Bluebell Festival in spring?

Clockwise from left: Adlington Hall Bridgemere Garden World Cholmondeley Castle Gardens Chester Zoological Gardens

Bridgemere Garden World, Near Nantwich Tel: 01270 521100 www.bridgemere.co.uk

Adlington Hall, Macclesfield Tel: 01625 829206 www.adlingtonhall.com

G ardens of

Eden

Discover the best of Cheshire’s heavenly creations

Landscaped in the style of Capability Brown in the 18th century, Adlington Hall’s gardens are truly a delight to behold, with a Lime Avenue planted in 1688, and the splendid folly ‘Temple to Diana’ with its painted ceiling. Extending over 2,000 acres, there’s a surprise around every corner with woodland walks, a lake and even an off-road driving course! More recent additions include a maze, rose garden and the beautiful Father Tiber Water Garden.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens Tel: 01829 720203 Dominated by a romantic Gothic Castle, these extensive ornamental gardens are said by many to be among the most beautiful they have ever seen! Visit the enchanting Temple Garden with its rockery, lake and islands, or the Silver Garden where distinctive silver-leafed plants celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Events not to be missed include the spectacular garden party on the 19th July, when the castle grounds come alive with music and fireworks. New for 2008 is the Pageant of Power event on the 9th & 10th August.

Paradise for Plant Hunters

The Lady & The Lake

Party in the Park

Bridgemere’s phenomenal range of plants makes it one of the most popular destinations in the country for a gardener’s day out. The display garden, covering 6 acres, is one of its main attractions and an endless source of ideas and inspiration, showing how the plants you can buy there perform in the ground. With many different styles of gardening – cottage and formal, woodland, water and winter – you can visit a world of gardens in a day! The garden is open all year, with free entry to all. And for refreshment, the restaurant is on a par with the garden!

A Rose Amongst Thorns Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield Tel: 01625 861221 www.capesthorne.com

Pimms & Peonies

Dating from 1719, Capesthorne Hall is surrounded by tranquil gardens punctuated by a chain of lakes. There are colourful perennials and more unusual 18th century plants as well as maples and cherry trees. Visitors can take a stroll through a small rose arbour, rhododendron woods and an arboretum carpeted with native bluebells.

Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich Tel: 01565 777353 www.arleyhallandgardens.com

Animal Attractions

Having been lovingly created by the same family over 250 years, Arley Hall’s gardens are a wonderful example of the idea that the best gardens are living, changing works of art. Outstanding features are the renowned double herbaceous borders, the avenue of giant Ilex columns, Victorian Rootree and the breathtaking array of roses, perennials, and flowering shrubs, and the sheer variety of rhododendrons, azaleas and specimen trees in The Grove. Enjoy the thrilling spectacle of the Arley Horse Trials in May or sip Pimms and listen to the strains of jazz at the Arley Garden Festival in June.

Almost as famous for its plants as its animals, Chester Zoo has won many prizes for its horticultural displays. And during Cheshire’s Year of Gardens they’re really going for gold! With the opportunity to enjoy an evening’s midsummer cycle around the zoo’s 110 acres in June or a chance to experience the special atmosphere of the zoo as the sun goes down in July and August, there’s plenty to keep the little monkeys happy in 2008.

Chester Zoological Gardens, Chester Tel: 01244 380280 www.chesterzoo.org

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Paradise Found

As You Like It

Dunge Valley Hidden Gardens, High Peak Tel: 01663 733787 www.dungevalley.co.uk

Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield Tel: 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com

“Paradise”, “Absolutely incredible”and “Very beautiful” were just a few of the comments made about these gardens in 2007. So you can just imagine what this year has in store! Trek through your own hidden Himalayan valley with streams, waterfalls, ponds, bridges and a wide variety of unusual perennials. Few gardens are so high – 300m up in the Pennines – or so full of colour.

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A Rare Delight Dunham Massey, Altrincham Tel: 0161 941 1025 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Where else do fallow deer graze under ancient trees as giant Chinese lilies and Himalayan poppies grow wild and free? With its sweeping lawns, sumptuous borders and majestic trees, this is one of the Northwest’s great plantsman’s gardens. On 19th July bring a picnic and enjoy an exclusive opportunity to visit Dunham's glorious garden at twilight. Meet the gardeners, get some greenfingered tips and find out more about the National Trust.

“My tip would be for people, when designing their gardens to use far less hard landscape materials. Excessive paving means having to deal with water run-off – far better to use absorbent materials such as gravel, crushed slate or bark chip which allow water to slowly percolate into the ground. Also where you do use stone, use lighter colours as they absorb less heat from the sun. Dark stone – especially black marble, slate and limestone attract the sun’s rays and can become too hot to walk on!” Rob Frier MSGD. Garden Designer, Walkden Gardens

Top of the Tree Abbey Days Combermere Abbey, Whitchurch Tel: 01948 662880 www.combermereabbey.co.uk With its ancient oaks and privately owned mere, Combermere Abbey sits in a magical setting filled with intrigue – to this day, the designer of the wonderful five-acre walled gardens is still a mystery! Now beautifully restored, the gardens include a Geometric Garden, a fan-shaped glasshouse and the planting of the world’s only Fruit Tree Maze. For 2008, Combermere will host a specially created dance piece by Swati Raut called ‘Kinkini’- Anklets in the Maze as part of Something Beautiful on the 17th August.

Reflecting Four Centuries Dorfold Hall Gardens, Nantwich Tel: 01270 625245

Clockwise from far left: Jodrell Bank Dunham Massey Hare Hill Gawsworth Hall

Dorfold Hall is a Jacobean country house built in 1616 for Ralph Wilbraham. The hall's 18 acres of gardens reflect four centuries of gardening fashion. To the south of the hall, the spring bulbs and herbaceous borders provide colour throughout the spring and summer. Visitors can also enjoy the fine specimen trees, a woodland and stream dell and a rock garden containing rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and acers.

The home of Mary Fitton, the ‘Dark Lady’of Shakespeare’s sonnets, Gawsworth Hall’s romantic associations are echoed in the garden’s broad lawns studded with evergreen trees and shrubs, and formal plantings of roses. The gardens also feature an open-air theatre with covered grandstand where ‘An Evening with Ray Mears’ in July will complement the hall’s existing theatre season.

Picnic in Paradise Hare Hill, Macclesfield Tel: 01625 584412 www.nationaltrust.org.uk A hidden gem, set amid rolling parkland, Hare Hill is a small but perfectly formed wooded and walled garden. Especially spectacular in early summer the garden is a riot of colour with its displays of azaleas, rhododendron and hosta. Picnic by the lake and take a lovely walk around the surrounding parkland or venture further to nearby Alderley Edge.

Jodrell Bank Arboretum, nr. Macclesfield Tel: 01477 571339 www.manchester.ac.uk/jodrellbank/viscen With over 2,500 species of trees and shrubs, this arboretum, next to the world famous Lovell Radio Telescope, is a tree lovers’ paradise. Enjoy the spectacular colours in spring and autumn or better still, plan your visit around the ‘Garden Planet’ programme running from June. Centred on World Environment Day, visitors can get involved in a variety of ecological initiatives including the Skies Eye View.

A Rare Pleasure Eaton Hall Gardens, Chester Tel: 01244 684400 www.eeo.co.uk The gardens at Eaton Hall, the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, are open to the public three times a year when all proceeds are given to charity. This longstanding tradition offers the opportunity to enjoy such wonders as the garden's 388 foot long Camelia Walk, stunning lakes and gorgeous rose garden. Each season offers differing displays, from thousands of mixed bulbs in spring to herbaceous borders bursting with flowers into late autumn. The Chapel, Carriage Museum and Family History Room can also be visited on Open Days and wonderful views of the estate can be enjoyed during a trip on Katie the Steam Train.

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A Fruitful Day Out Little Moreton Hall, Congleton Tel: 01260 272018 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The Secret’s Out

“During the summer,

Britain’s most famous timber-framed, moated Tudor we often spot perennials that need manor house has a delightful historic Knot Garden, dividing up, either because they are too together with traditional fruit trees of apple, pear, medlar crowded or we want more plants. We push a and quince, which blossom in May, and produce their small marker stake in right by the roots, sticking fruit in autumn – which is then used in delicious cakes up just a couple of inches so that it is invisble and scones served up in Little Moreton's renowned under the foliage. We write an identifing number restaurant. As part of ‘Something Beautiful’, Little on the stake in indelible marker and note the Moreton Hall will showcase a sculpture by Justine Cooke which takes you on a journey through the number and plant name in a notebook. In winter hall’s long history. when we cut them back to ground level, the

Priory Engagements Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Runcorn Tel: 01928 569895 www.nortonpriory.org This 38-acre award-winning museum and gardens has a 2.5-acre Georgian Walled Garden with Rose Walk, herb garden, fruit garden, vegetable plots and herbaceous borders. During this spring, visitors are invited to join in celebrations to highlight an almost-forgotten fruit, on guided Quince Blossom Tours. With records dating back to 1275, the walled garden has around 23 varieties of this hard, strongly perfumed fruit. Treat the family to music, tours, storytelling and more.

Quarry Bank Mill & Garden, Wilmslow Tel: 01625 527468 www.nationaltrust.org.uk One of our garden’s greatest secrets has been revealed! As part of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08, The National Trust opened the Secret Garden at Quarry Bank Mill in March. Restored to its former glory, this unique 18th century garden contains fine displays of rhododendron and other spring blooms and has delightful vistas, with the River Bollin running through the valley. Riverside walks, meandering paths and raised beds are some of the features that have been rediscovered during restoration work, reflecting the ‘picturesque’ style of the original design.

stakes remind us which plants need dividing and also tell us what the plant is.”

Sue Beesley Lodge Lane

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Head for the Hills

Ancient Splendour Lyme Park, Disley Tel: 01663 762023 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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With its 17-acre Victorian garden, 19th century Orangery, sunken Dutch garden and ‘Reflection Lake’, Lyme Park’s beautiful gardens are of great historic importance. As part of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens, Lyme will be hosting a series of outdoor theatre productions in the garden during the summer season, and on Sunday afternoons during June and July, visitors will be entertained to ‘Brass and Blooms’ – a series of informal concerts in a specially constructed bandstand, given by local bands and school groups.

Mount Pleasant Gardens, Kelsall Tel: 01829 751592 www.mountpleasantgardens.co.uk Set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside with spectacular views, Mount Pleasant Gardens cascade down a gently sloping hillside in a colourful mix of trees, shrubs and flowers with numerous water features and sculptures dotted in between. One of the RHS recommended gardens, Mount Pleasant will be hosting a sculpture exhibition of British based artists during September 2008.

A G arden for All Seasons Ness Botanic Gardens, Ness Tel: 0151 353 0123 www.nessgardens.org.uk These outstanding botanic gardens overlooking the Dee Estuary contain the finest collection of rhododendron and azaleas in the Northwest, one of the best known heather gardens in Britain, and an outstanding collection of Himalayan and Chinese plants. Throughout the year, Ness will use the natural features of the garden to present music inspired by 15,000 plants from around the world.

Quinta Essentials The Quinta Arboretum, Swettenham Tel: 01477 537698 www.tattongardensociety.co.uk Clockwise from far left: Norton Priory Museum & Gardens Little Moreton Hall Lyme Park Quarry Bank Mill & Gardens Mount Pleasant Gardens

Situated in Swettenham village with beautiful views across the Dane Valley, the 28-acre arboretum contains over 5,000 trees of some 2,000 species, with National Collections of ash and pine, many rare trees and flowering shrubs, a collection of endangered conifers, a bluebell bank, a lake, over 100 herbs and recent plantings of camellia and rhododendron.

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Park Life Tatton Park, Knutsford Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk Set in 1,000 acres of historic deer park, Tatton Park’s gardens represent over 200 years of garden design and history from the renowned Japanese garden to one of the finest ferneries in the UK. From May to September, The Tatton Park Biennial will be a significant and inspirational addition to the UK’s visual arts calendar – showcasing the works of emerging artists. Experience the delights of Tatton’s first Orchid Festival in June or celebrate the RHS Flower Show’s 10th anniversary in July, with a dazzling horticultural display that promises to be better than ever.

Brewed by Nature Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington Tel: 01925 601617 www.warrington.gov.uk/waltongardens Once owned by the Greenall family, the famous brewers of Warrington, Walton’s gardens retain a fine collection of specimen trees and shrubs and an extensive display of rhododendron and azaleas in the early summer. With ornamental ponds, resplendent rose gardens, herbaceous borders and even a children’s zoo, Walton Hall is well worth a visit.

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tip “If you are planning to alter your garden or create some new planting areas, rather than reading advice in a book written by someone who lives in another part of the country, why not take the time to observe all the plants which do really well in a neighbourhood garden. Make a list of them then put them together in your new border. This way you will be certain of success.”

Sam Youd Gardens Manager Tatton Park

Amazing Grace Walkden Gardens, Sale www.walkdengardens.co.uk

Let It Snow

Picture Perfect

Rode Hall Gardens, Scholar Green Tel: 01270 873237 www.rodehall.co.uk

Stonyford Cottage Gardens, Northwich Tel: 01606 888970

With its terraced rock garden and grotto, woodland, formal, walled and Italian gardens, Rode Hall’s fascinating landscape has so much to offer the year-round visitor. Visual delights include carpets of bluebells, vivid rhododendron and azaleas and a sumptuous herbaceous border. But February is the time when the eye is most gleefully rewarded, when over 50 varieties of snowdrops cover the ground. The Snowdrop Walk has been incredibly popular during Cheshire's Year of Gardens, so why not experience this fantastic display next year?

Set around a large pool, this Monet style landscape has a wealth of moisture loving plants, including Iris and Candelabra Primulas. You’ll find rare perennials, trees and shrubs co-existing with unusual species of kingfisher and butterflies. Take the newly planted woodland walk for spectacular vistas across the pool to the cottage gardens. For 2008 they will be hosting plant fairs and guided walks of the garden.

G o Wild with Water Stapeley Water Gardens, Nantwich Tel: 01270 623868 www.stapeleywg.com

Clockwise from above: Tatton Park Stapeley Water Gardens Stonyford Cottage Garden

You’ll find more than just moisture-loving plants to whet your appetite at Stapeley Water Gardens! Delve into a tropical paradise at the Palms Tropical Oasis, home to a myriad of dazzling and exotic plants, over 100 species of wildlife and all year round tropical temperatures. Discover Tamarin monkeys, the Giant Amazonian Waterlily and a 20ft python!

Known locally as ‘The Maze’ or ‘The Secret Garden’, Walkden Gardens has for too long been a closely guarded secret. Modelled on the famous Hidcote Garden in Gloucestershire, this beautiful and varied garden includes a Theatre Lawn, used throughout the summer for alfresco performances, as well as a fuchsia garden, beech circle, conifer garden, wisteria arch and a tranquil Japanese garden.

Uncover the Secrets Weeping Ash Garden, Warrington Tel: 01942 266300 www.bents.co.uk Situated adjacent to the award-winning Bents Garden & Home in Glazebury, Weeping Ash is a breathtaking garden with year round interest. Clever and imaginative planting creates a wonderful secrecy with tranquil scenes of clarity and perfection. Hidden paths and wooded areas evoke a sense of natural growth and a number of hidden ‘garden rooms’ have evolved over time, each one completely different and new to discover.

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Cheshire’s Year of G ardens

Event Highlights We’re bringing more to Cheshire’s gardens. Join us for a year of dazzling celebrations as 29 of Britain’s most beautiful gardens are dramatically brought to life with new collections, arts, music, sports, family fun and more. Here you’ll find our Highlight Events, followed by key events throughout the year.

For more information, and a full list of events, visit:

=yearofgardens08.com Something Beautiful Five Cheshire gardens will reveal commissioned sculptures by local artists. Hundreds of Cheshire residents will also be encouraged to design and build beautiful objects in their own gardens. Until July at Arley Hall & Gardens Tel: 01565 777353 www.arleyhallandgardens.com Rachel Ramchurn specialises in wood cutting using chainsaws and power tools and will be taking fallen trees from the Big Wood on the Arley Hall Estate in Northwich to create two abstract sculptural forms that will allow viewers an intimate look at the Arley gardens. Until July at Ness Botanic Gardens Tel: 0151 353 0123 www.nessgardens.org.uk Artist Jac Scott will be looking at ways in which humans interact with plants at Ness Botanic Gardens in Ness. Her attitudes towards waste, regeneration and renewal will be explored through her interpretation of a gardener’s shed.

Cholmondeley Fireworks Concert & Garden Party

Until July at Tatton Park Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonpark.org.uk Lorna Green is a sculptor and environmental artist from Stockport in Cheshire. She will focus on the deer that live on the estate creating antlers from fallen branches to alter viewers’ perceptions of the surrounding landscape. 17th August at Combermere Abbey Tel: 01948 662880 www.combermereabbey.co.uk As part of Something Beautiful and sponsored by SAVILLS, Combermere Abbey will host a specially created dance piece by Swati Raut called ‘Kinkini’ – Anklets within the Walled Garden. Until October at Little Moreton Hall Tel: 01260 272018 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Sculptor, Justine Cook will be using redundant building materials to create accessible, thought-provoking artworks in the orchard at Britain’s most famous moated and timber-framed Tudor manor house, Little Moreton Hall near Congleton.

4th & 5th May Bluebell Festival Capesthorne Hall, Tel: 01625 861221 www.capesthorne.com Come and explore the bluebells found within the Arboretum and the magical six acres of woodland with bluebells on both sides of the woodland path. May – September at Tatton Park Tatton Park Biennial www.tattonparkbiennial.org See page 26. Selected dates over the summer at Jodrell Bank Skies Eye View Jodrell Bank, Tel: 01477 571339 www.manchester.ac.uk /jodrellbank/viscen On World Environment Day Jodrell Bank will launch an initiative that will run for the rest of the summer: Skies Eye View – a ‘GPS Drawing’ events series centred on the Jodrell Bank Arboretum. 7th – 15th June at Tatton Park Orchid Festival Tatton Park, Tel: 01625 374 400 www.tattonpark.org.uk Experience the delights of orchids at Tatton’s first Orchid Festival, part of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 programme of Orchid Events. Closed Monday 9th June. 15th, 22nd & 29th June at Lyme Park Brass and Blooms Lyme Park, Tel: 01663 762023 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Be serenaded in the sunshine by local bands and music groups in the delightful setting of Lyme Park's gardens. 20th June at Chester Zoological Gardens Mid Summer Cycle Chester Zoo, Tel: 01244 380 280 www.chesterzoo.org A chance to explore Chester Zoo’s 110 acres of beautiful grounds in the evening by bicycle. 25th June – 16th August at Gawsworth Hall Gawsworth Hall Outdoor Theatre Gawsworth Hall, Tel: 01260 223456 www.gawsworthhall.com An all-new concert programme in addition to the existing theatre season at Gawsworth Hall.

28th & 29th June at Arley Hall and Gardens Arley Garden Festival 2008 Arley Hall & Gardens, Tel: 01565 777 353 www.arleyhallandgardens.com One of the highlights of the horticultural year in the Northwest. 28th June at Adlington Hall Boodles Nations Cup Adlington Hall Tel: 01625 829 206, www.adlingtonhall.com A quintessentially English garden party accompanied by tennis from some of the world’s great champions as they compete in the Boodles 2008 Nations Cup. 5th July at Ness Botanic Gardens The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform The Four Seasons Ness Botanic Gardens, Tel: 0151 353 0123 www.nessgardens.org.uk Music inspired by the 15,000 plants gathered from around the world.

25th – 29th September at Crewe Railway Station Station/Stationary – A Cheshire Dance/Body Cartography Project Crewe Station, 01606 861770 www.cheshiredance.org/station.html The Body Cartography Project will explore the potential of Crewe Railway Station as a medium to make art. Through sensorial investigation, imagery, action, humour, music and sound, this five day performance event will reveal the intricacies and the concrete physical characteristics of one of the most historic railway stations in the world through the eyes of locals and visitors. 4th & 5th October at Norton Priory Quince Festival Norton Priory Museum & Gardens Tel: 01928 569 895, www.nortonpriory.org Norton Priory is the proud guardian of the National Tree Quince Collection, and this weekend will give visitors the chance to find out more about one of the most traditional of English fruits, what they look like and what to do with them! There will also be music, tours, storytelling and family activities.

25th & 26th October at Arley Hall and Gardens Pumpkin Games! Arley Hall & Gardens, Tel: 01565 777353 www.arleyhallandgardens.com A horticultural show featuring such activities as the best, biggest, ugliest pumpkin. New activities are planned for 2008. In addition to the games, there are traders selling local produce made or inspired by pumpkins. 12th December at Grosvenor Park Something Wishful Grosvenor Park, Chester www.chesterperforms.com & www.eea.org.uk A large celebratory event bringing Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08 to a close, with lantern parades, music, street arts, dance and fireworks.

19th July at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens Cholmondeley Fireworks Concert & Garden Party Tel: 01829 720 383 www.cholmondeleyfireworks.com Outdoor concert with fireworks in the castle gardens. 23rd – 27th July (23rd RHS Members only) RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park Tatton Park, Tel: 0870 842 2234 www.rhs.org.uk/tattonpark Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park offers a truly unique day out for all garden lovers.

Looking Forward... January 2009 Snowdrop Walks Ness Botanic Gardens, www.nessgardens.org.uk

25th October – 2nd November at Chester Zoological Gardens Pumpkin Festival Chester Zoo, Tel: 01244 380280 www.chesterzoo.org Each child bringing a carved pumpkin with them receives free entrance to the zoo. Guess the weight of the pumpkin and run around on the Trick or Treat Zoo Trail and win a prize! Whilst the elephants are out in their paddock smashing pumpkins!

February 2009 Snowdrops at Rode Hall & Gardens www.rodehall.co.uk The first snowdrop at Rode Hall was in 1833. This is a chance to see snowdrops with history, there are some 50 different varieties to be explored. February 2009 Orchid Festival at Chester Zoological Gardens www.chesterzoo.org Visit the exquisite orchid displays throughout the zoo including guest services, Realm of the Red Ape, Tropical Realm, Oakfield Manor and the Grow Zone by the Ark Restaurant.

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Monday 26th Jazz in the Temple Garden Cholmondeley Castle Gardens Monday 26th Plant Fair & Guided Tours of the Garden Stonyford Cottage Garden and Nursery

Chester & Cheshire

2008

Events Listing May Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd Friends of Chester Cathedral’s Annual Plant Sale In the Cloisters of the Cathedral. 10am – 4pm. Free entry. Saturday 3rd – Monday 5th The Design Weekend Tatton Park Wednesday 7th – Friday 9th Chester Races – May Festival Tel: 01244 304600 www.chester-races.com Chester Racecourse. Come and enjoy the sport of kings at Britain’s oldest racecourse, once the site of a massive Roman harbour where the horses run anti-clockwise. The festival includes the Totesport Day (7th) and Ladies’ Day (8th). Wednesday 14th – Sunday 18th Potty about Plants Little Moreton Hall

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th Arley Horse Trials & Country Fair Tel: 01565 777353 www.arleyhallandgardens.com Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich. Marvel at the skills, bravery and horsemanship of the Horse Trials, as riders compete in the dressage and show jumping rings, and then challenge their horses against the clock over the cross country course, which offers spectacular viewing of the water jumps and other fences. The Country Fair also offers great excitement and family entertainment, including medieval jousting, side saddle demonstrations and falconry. Sunday 18th Plant Conservation Day Chester Zoological Gardens Sunday 25th Eaton Gardens Open Day Eaton Estate

Friday 13th – Sunday 15th Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival www.midfest.org.uk Middlewich Featuring international folk groups and a gathering of canal boats including the Floating Garden Festival Flotilla.

August Friday 1st Total Solar Eclipse Jodrell Bank Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd Bridgemere Rose Show Bridgemere Garden World

Friday 30th – Sunday 1st June The Home and Garden Show Chester Racecourse Dates through May – September Painting in the Garden Bluebell Cottage Gardens

June Thursday 5th World Environment Day Bents Garden & Home Friday 6th Outdoor Theatre Lyme Park

Friday 13th – Sunday 15th First Move Literary Festival Jodrell Bank

Saturday 7th World Environment Day (15th Anniversary) Ness Botanic Gardens

Saturday 19th – Saturday 26th Chester Music Festival Tel: 01244 320722 www.chesterfestivals.co.uk From the majesty of a symphony orchestra in full flight in Chester’s soaring cathedral, to the intimacy of a string quartet presented in some of the hidden venues of our unique city centre, the Chester Music Festival has an illustrious past and a glittering future.

Saturday 7th – Sunday 8th Go Green Weekend at Norton Priory (for World Environment Day)

Friday 20th Jazz and Outdoor Living Evening Bridgemere Garden World

Saturday 7th – Sunday 15th Floating Garden Festival Bollington, Sale, Audlem and Ellesmere Port Saturday 7th Kingsley Garden Trail Kingsley Gardening Club

Saturday 21st Bawming of the Thorn Appleton Thorn Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd Audlem Open Gardens Event Audlem District Amenities Society

Saturday 28th – Saturday 19th July Chester Mystery Plays Tel: 01244 304618 www.chesterfestivals.co.uk A unique blend of the sacred and secular performed only every five years in this 2,000year-old walled city, here is a rare chance to witness the entire unfolding of the greatest story ever told.

Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th Bridgemere Floral Art Show Bridgemere Garden World

Saturday 28th Audlem Proms in the Park Audlem

Wednesday 23rd – Sunday 27th Knutsford Floral Walk Knutsford

Mid June Forest Tours Delamere Forest Various dates in June and July Outdoor Theatre in the Gardens Walton Hall Gardens

July Friday 4th Lazy Summer Evening at the Zoo Chester Zoological Gardens Friday 4th – Sunday 6th Garden Themed Event with the Waterways Trust National Waterways Museum Saturday 5th Concert with Fireworks Ness Botanic Gardens

Sunday 6th Disability Awareness Day Walton Hall Gardens Friday 18th – Sunday 20th Bunbury Flower Festival Bunbury Church

Wednesday 30th Nantwich Show and Nantwich International Cheese Show Tel: 01270 780306 Dorfold Hall Park, nr. Nantwich Two events in one – Nantwich’s annual country show and a homage to fromage from across the world.

Saturday 2nd Hallé Fireworks and Light Spectacular Concert Tel: 01625 374400 www.tattonparkconcerts.com Tatton Park, Knutsford. Enjoy a spectacular evening beneath the stars at this picnic-style concert with the world famous Hallé, and a fabulous firework finale.

Saturday 16th Lazy Summer Evening at the Zoo Chester Zoological Gardens Sunday 24th Eaton Gardens Open Day Eaton Estate Sunday 24th – Monday 25th Bridgemere Flower Show Bridgemere Garden World Monday 25th Jazz in the Temple Garden Cholmondeley Castle Gardens Thursday 28th – Wednesday 3rd Sept Nature into Art Floral Event Tatton Park

Sunday 3rd Outdoor Theatre Lyme Park Sunday 3rd PARTY! At Tatton Park Tatton Park Saturday 9th Perseids Meteor Shower Party Jodrell Bank Saturday 9th Firework Champions at Combermere Abbey Combermere Abbey

July – August Guided Rose Walks Fryer’s Garden Centre Dates in July & August Open Air Theatre and Music Arley Hall & Gardens Dates in July, August & September Outdoor Theatre Ness Botanic Gardens

October

September Tuesday 2nd – Sunday 28th Sculpture Exhibition of British Based Artists Mount Pleasant Gardens Saturday 6th Heritage Open Day Walkden Gardens

Wednesday 1st – Friday 31st Chester Literature Festival Tel: 01244 674020 www.chesterfestivals.co.uk Attracting book lovers from near and far who flock to revel in the written and spoken word delivered by the cream of today’s talent. Chester Literature Festival offers the magic of modern literature against a backdrop steeped in history and heritage. Sunday 12th & Sunday 26th Autumn Tints Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Saturday 13th Hatton and District Horticultural Show Daresbury

November

Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th Harvest Festival at the Farm Tatton Park Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th Young Roots Dunham Massey

Saturday 6th Carols Around the Dovecote Walkden Gardens Saturday 13th Geminids Meteor Shower Party Jodrell Bank Sunday 14th – Thursday 18th Yuletide Gawsworth Hall Throughout December Chester Zoo Frost Fair Chester Zoological Gardens

Four Seasons music festival at Ness Botanic Gardens

Throughout December Christmas at Tatton Park Tatton Park

The ‘Four Seasons’ music festival at Ness started in January offering monthly recitals comprising an eclectic mix of styles to suit a wide range of tastes from classical through to perhaps choral and jazz, not to mention the bell ringers at Christmas. During the summer months, the recitals which are held every second Sunday in the month, will move outdoors into the garden. You’re invited to bring your own low backed seating to enjoy the music on the herbaceous lawn (normal garden admission charges apply to non-members of the Friends of Ness Botanic Gardens). The flagship event of the festival will be the Gala Concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday 5th July. A special programme of music inspired by gardens has been compiled for the evening. The orchestra will be led by the baton of Wirral conductor, Ian McMillan and leading violinist Thelma Handy, while the garden will be illuminated for the event and conclude with a firework finale. Tickets are expected to go on sale from the Ness Box Office on 1st May and are priced at £25 per adult (advance) and £27.50 on the day (subject to availability).

Friday 28th – Sunday 30th Christmas at Capesthorne Capesthorne Hall Wednesday 15th RHS Lecture – Unlocking the Secrets of the Japanese Garden Tatton Park Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th The Vale Royal Food and Garden Festival Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth Bringing together local communities and businesses to sample the finest local produce in the Northwest, from Devonshire Bakery to Cheshire Chocolates. With free entry, the festival will give everyone an opportunity to taste and experience Vale Royal in all its glory. Sunday 19th Tatton Apple Day Tatton Park

December

Friday 14th – Sunday 11th January Christmas at Arley Hall and Gardens Arley Hall & Gardens

Thursday 18th – Wednesday 1st October Exhibition – Botanical Artists Ness Botanic Gardens Friday 26th – Sunday 28th Nantwich Food & Drink Festival Tel: 01270 537359 Nantwich The festival is an annual celebration of food excellence and offers a mouth-watering selection of regionally produced food and drink.

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th NW Fine Food Lovers Festival www.nwfinefood.co.uk Tatton Park, Knutsford For the largest selection of fabulous fine food you are ever likely to find under one roof, visit the NW Fine Food Lovers Festival Tatton Park. With over 80 fine food producers, fascinating foodie seminars, exciting and informative demonstrations from some of the region’s most talented chefs, and ‘grow your own’ gardening workshops, there’ll be lots to do and see. This year will see an extension of the festival with a fantastic week long programme of events in and around Knutsford.

Between the 7th & 15th June 2008, Cheshire’s waterways will see a flotilla of decorated boats taking part in Cheshire’s Floating Garden Festival. The festival promotes one of Cheshire’s greatest assets; its inland waterways, with a flotilla of four decorated heritage boats moving throughout the county to celebrate Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08. Boats will depart from Audlem in The South, Bollington in The East, Trafford in The Northeast and Ellesmere Port to The West of the county. Launch events are being held in Bollington, Audlem, Lymm and Chester. Locations visited along the routes will be staging events as the floating garden reaches them. On arrival at Middlewich, the boats will take star billing at the annual Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival. There will be a programme of canal-related activities over the weekend, with music, dance, workshops, arts, displays and exhibitions, all celebrating the waterways, traditional industries and culture of this historic county. www.visitcheshire.com/floatinggardenfestival

Some Flower Show Highlights Show Gardens Ahead of the summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Tatton will be getting its own taste of China, with ‘Tales from a Chinese Garden’ from Manchester Metropolitan University. Other gardens on show will suit a whole spectrum of tastes – ‘Punk’s not Dead’ will use modern lines to explore the cultural clash between teens and parents, while those with a more sophisticated palette will appreciate ‘Ladies that Lunch’ with its traditional design.

Year of Gardens Highlight Event

Back to Back Gardens All created for a 6m by 4m space, the Back to Back Gardens show how those with a smaller garden need not compromise on creativity. Amurlee Exotics, for example, will be creating a small garden to showcase how hardy tropical and exotic plants can aesthetically enhance a compact space, so it can become a relaxing, secret oasis.

In 2008 the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park will celebrate its tenth anniversary, and will be bursting with high summer colour to provide something special for all gardeners and garden lovers and promises to be the biggest and best show ever! Situated in Tatton Park’s historic 1,000 acre deer park, the show is a vibrant stage for fresh creative talent and celebrates the very best in community gardening. Brimming with ideas to enhance any garden, it features inspirational gardens, spectacular floral displays and shopping opportunities in spades. Visitors will also be able to get advice for their own gardens from RHS experts, and hundreds of growers and nurserymen.

Nurture

your love for gardening

at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, Knutsford

The Show Gardens are where the crème de la crème of gardening talent push the boundaries of both planting and landscaping design, while small and innovative Back to Back Gardens champion the delights of urban gardening. As well as being able to take home ideas to use in your own home from more than 50 gardens, an abundance of plants and tools will be available to purchase at special prices on the hundreds of stands at the show. Tatton also plays host to some unique and exciting competitions. In the RHS/Ball Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition, local authorities and colleges from across the UK use bedding plants to create 3D sculptures, which over the last ten years has seen everything from the canals of Venice to Wallace and Gromit taking off to the moon. It’s certainly much more than a flower show, so if you’ve never been before it’s well worth a visit.

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RHS/Ball Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition Situated in its own avenue across the centre of the showground, expect to see fun and groundbreaking displays created from bedding plants. One highlight is Vale Royal Borough Council’s bed, which will be infusing the show with some Mersey Beat by creating a ‘Yellow Submarine’ flower bed inspired by The Beatles’ film of the same title.

Marquees Everywhere you look there’s an array of marvellous flower and plant marquees full of exotic plant displays and also some characterful growers who will be on hand to impart sound horticultural advice.

Book Your Flower Show Tickets The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park takes place between 23rd and 27th July, with 23rd RHS Preview Day. For ticket information and booking, please contact 0870 842 2234 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/tatton Opening Times 10.00am – 6.30pm (closes 5.00pm on Sunday 27th July) RHS Member’s rates (in advance only) Wednesday 23rd July (RHS Preview Day): £24 Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th July: £18 Public rates Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th July Adults: £21 (in advance)/£23 (on the door) Children aged 5-15: £5 (£24 on Wednesday 23rd July) Children under 5: Free Groups (10+): £19

2008 sees the inauguration of a new contemporary art biennial for England’s Northwest sited in Tatton’s Gardens. Tatton Park Biennial opens to the public May 3rd and continues to September 28th during Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ’08. Curated by Danielle Arnaud and Jordan Kaplan from commissioning group Parabola, the Biennial will commission up to 30 new works from artists, performers and writers, all developing responses to Tatton’s internationally renowned gardens of distinction. Artists will investigate botanical collections and collectors amid concerns surrounding climate change and globalisation. The Biennial supports the work of emerging and mid-career artists and is a launch pad for future events that will further the understanding of exceptional artistic practice within this acclaimed historic property.

Do the

Floral Walk

to the 2008 RHS Show

With six permanent works, 12 works that will evolve through the months, artists’ residencies and a film programme, the Biennial will also feature film events, symposia and walks and talks for a wide range of visitor groups. Tatton Park Biennial 2008 is supported by: Arts Council England, North West; Northwest Regional Development Agency; Cheshire County Council; The National Trust; Tatton Park Trust; Manchester Airport; The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation and Cheshire’s Year of Gardens ‘08.

For more information visit www.tattonparkbiennial.org.uk

This year, take the scenic route to the 2008 RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park – take the train, enjoy Knutsford’s spectacular floral displays and special Floral Walk offers. Just a gentle 10 minute walk from the station; arrive in style through Tatton’s town gates where visitors can hop on board the RHS shuttle bus for a ride through Tatton’s scenic parkland to the showground itself. The Floral Walk begins at Knutsford Railway Station which will be specially decorated for the show and follows Knutsford’s historic King Street, an attractive street filled with restaurants, exclusive shops, galleries and cafes. Every few yards, delightful little ginnels, cobbled alleyways and hidden

courtyards lead to more shops and cafes, and to unique attractions such as Knutsford Heritage Centre, home of the town’s Millennium Tapestry. Knutsford is, of course, famous as the setting and inspiration for Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel, Cranford. Rail ticket holders will be rewarded for doing their bit for the environment – a special discount on the show admission price will be just one of a number of additional benefits. Visitors will be greeted by a team of Knutsford volunteers who will hand out town guides and the Floral Walk route map, containing details of special offers available throughout the town for rail and RHS ticket holders.

28 29

To find out more information on gardens across the region, visit www.enw.co.uk/gardens

Map is not to scale. Letters and symbols are for general reference only and do not necessarily depict that establishment/attractionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exact location. For further information, please contact the venue directly.

53. Holehird 54. Honister 55. Hutton-in-the-Forest 56. Levens Hall 57. Mirehouse 58. Monk Coniston 59. Muncaster 60. Rydal Hall & Rydal Mount

The Lake District & Cumbria

A66

M53 19

M56

M58

M6 48

M55

Liverpool City Region

A591

9 24

The Lake District & Cumbria

Wirral Peninsula 49. Chorlton Water Park 50. Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens 51. Heaton Park 52. Platt Fields Park

Manchester

40. Barbara Barlowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cottage Garden 41. The Barn at Scorton 42. Browsholme Hall Gardens 43. Cobble Hey Farm & Gardens 44. Gresgarth Hall 45. Myerscough Gardens & Plant World 46. Pendle Heritage Centre 47. Stanley Park 48. Williamson Park

30. Birkenhead Park 31. Calderstones Park 32. Churchtown Botanic Gardens & Museum 33. National Wildflower Centre 34. Newsham Park 35. Sefton Park 36. Stanley Park 37. Taylor Park 38. Victoria Park 39. Wavertree Botanic Park Southport

Lancashire

Liverpool City Region

1. Adlington Hall 2. Arley Hall & Gardens 3. Bluebell Cottage Gardens 4. Bridgemere Garden World 5. Capesthorne Hall 6. Chester Zoological Gardens 7. Cholmondeley Castle Gardens 8 Combermere Abbey 9. Dorfold Hall Gardens 10 Dunge Valley Hidden Gardens 11 Dunham Massey 12. Eaton Hall Gardens 13. Gawsworth Hall 14. Hare Hill 15. Jodrell Bank Arboretum 16. Little Moreton Hall 17. Lyme Park 18. Mount Pleasant Gardens 19. Ness Botanic Gardens 20. Norton Priory Museum & Gardens 21. Quarry Bank Mill & Garden 22. The Quinta Arboretum 23. Rode Hall Gardens 24. Stapeley Water Gardens 25. Stonyford Cottage Gardens 26. Tatton Park 27. Walton Hall Gardens 28. Walkden Gardens 29. Weeping Ash Garden

A595

Chester & Cheshire

There are over 40 railway stations in Cheshire and more than 30 serving Cumbria. Manchester Airport station operates 24 hours a day and provides connections across the whole of the Northwest including Windermere, Barrow-in-Furness and the Western Lake District.

Manchester has two mainline stations, Victoria and Piccadilly, providing direct links to most UK cities. TransPennine Express and ArrivaTrains operate cross-Pennine routes, linking North Wales, Liverpool and Manchester with Leeds, York and Newcastle.

BY RAIL. The West Coast Main Line and its feeders run from Crewe through Warrington, Wigan, Preston, Lancaster and up to Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle.

Manchester has an excellent road network too, and the M56, M61, M602, M67, M66 and M62 make getting in and around the city simple. Also, National Express coaches serve the entire region.

BY ROAD The Northwest is well served by its trunk road network. The M6 runs through the whole region via Crewe, Warrington, Wigan, Preston and Lancaster to Carlisle in the North. The M53, M56 and M62 connect west to east, running from Merseyside, Chester and North Wales through the Manchester conurbation and across the Pennines.

Travelling to the Northwest

gardens

Where to find our

Crewe

M62

M65

Macclesfield

M62

More than just

De Vere Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa nr. Chester 01829 731000 www.devere.co.uk Set in a beautiful 750-acre estate with countryside views, this is a very special place to stay. Treat yourself to luxurious accommodation, golf course and spa. Green Bough Hotel Hoole Road, Chester 01244 326241 www.greenbough.co.uk This hotel has roof-top gardens featuring beautiful flora and a babbling water feature. EnjoyEngland’s Small Hotel of the Year 2005.

Cheshire

Grosvenor Place Guest House Chester 01244 324455 www.grosvenorplacechester.co.uk A fine Georgian townhouse situated within the city walls offering warm, comfortable ensuite rooms complete with TV, hospitality tray and free broadband.

essentials

Here’s a small selection of where to find the best within the region. All accommodation within this guide has been inspected by either VisitBritain or the AA.

Where to visit... Castle Park Frodsham 01928 736651 Smart Victorian formal bedding scheme which reflects the work of original designer Edward Kemp, renowned for his work at Birkenhead Park. Cheshire Regiment Memorial Garden Chester Cathedral, Abbey Square, Chester 01244 324756 Created to commemorate the regiment and maintained by its members. Grosvenor Park Chester A classical 19th century designed park with a typical Victorian layout that includes formal avenues lined with trees, large sweeping lawns surrounded with ornamental shrub beds and bedding plants. Marbury Country Park nr. Northwich 01606 77741 Find year-round enjoyment at this 1,000-acre park with bluebells in

spring, lime trees in summer and fiery autumn colour from ash and oaks. There’s also an arboretum, a community orchard and walled garden. Alderley Edge Woodland Walks 01625 584412 Rising up abruptly from the Cheshire plain, about 12 miles due south of Manchester, Alderley Edge offers wonderful woodland walks with panoramic views. A key archaeological site in Cheshire and sensitive to erosion, visitors are requested to remain on marked footpaths whilst enjoying this special place. Romany’s Caravan Wilmslow 01625 504114 Romany's caravan (aka a ‘vardo’) belonged to the noted broadcaster and naturalist the Rev George Bramwell Evans (aka Evens) and featured in his popular broadcasts on ‘Children's Hour’ during the second world war, under the name of ‘Romany’. Peover Hall & Gardens Over Peover, Knutsford 01565 830395 This popular Elizabethan house is set in a large garden with topiary, rose garden, walled and herb gardens, lily pool and summer house.

Sunnyside Farm Shop Lane, Little Budworth 01829 760618 A plantsman’s country garden of more than an acre, with a large wildflower meadow and native woodland carefully developed since 1982. West Park Prestbury Road, Macclesfield Ornamental gardens, formal rose garden, plant nurseries, picnic area, aviary and playground feature in this 15-acre public park.

Where to stay… The Alderley Edge Hotel Adlerley Edge 01625 583033 www.alderleyedgehotel.com Visit Chester & Cheshire Small Hotel of the Year 2007. One of Cheshire’s finest country house hotels, offering a peaceful and charming ambience in luxuriously comfortable surroundings. The Chester Grosvenor & Spa Eastgate, Chester 01244 324024 www.chestergrosvenor.co.uk EnjoyEngland Large Hotel of the Year 2007. With its luxurious rooms, spa treatments and Michelin starred restaurant, there’s no wonder this sumptuous hotel was awarded five AA red stars.

Churton Heath Farm Bed & Breakfast Bruera, Chester 01244 620420 www.churtonheathfarm.co.uk Visit Chester & Cheshire Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2007 and Judges Commendation at the 2007 England’s Northwest Tourism Awards. A four-star property with Silver endorsement, situated in characteristic Cheshire farming land yet just four miles from the city centre. Combermere Abbey Combermere, Whitchurch 01948 662876 www.combermereabbey.co.uk These award-winning five star holiday cottages on the Cheshire/Shropshire border offer peace, privacy and comfort in beautiful surroundings. Set in 1,000 acres of historic parkland, they received the Silver Award at the EnjoyEngland Awards for Excellence in 2006. The Crowne Plaza Trinity Street, Chester 0870 442 1081 www.ichotelsgroup.com Enjoy panoramic views at this stylish hotel, located on the edge of the city. Includes indoor pool, sauna and fitness suite for guests.

Grosvenor Pulford Hotel Chester 01244 570560 www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk Visit Chester & Cheshire Large Hotel of the Year 2007. Located on the outskirts of Chester, the hotel boasts an extensive and luxurious spa alongside a leisure suite with gymnasium and tennis court, Mediterranean-style restaurant Ciro’s Brasserie and gastro style bar – Nelson’s Bar. Harrop Fold Farm Rainow, Macclesfield 01625 560085 www.harropfoldfarm.co.uk A 17th-century converted barn on the western side of the Peak District National Park. Visit Chester & Cheshire Bed & Breakfast of the Year 2006. Jasmine Cottage Chester 01745 825880 www.chesterholidaycottages.com Visit Chester & Cheshire Self Catering Holiday of the Year 2007. Located at Meadowside Mews, Chester Holiday Cottages offers the five star rated Jasmine Cottage which is one of two lovely, quaint cottage style properties. The Mill Hotel & Spa – Destination Chester 01244 350035 www.millhotel.com This family-run hotel offers a range of facilities, including five options for dining, and a value for money range of beauty treatments, using only the finest products.

Millmoor Farm Holidays Chester Road, Malpas 01948 820304 www.millmoorfarm.co.uk A working farm set among the beautiful valleys of the Cheshire/Shropshire border. Visit Chester & Cheshire Self Catering Holiday of the Year 2006. The Ridgeway Country Holiday Park Frodsham 01928 734981 www.ridgewaypark.com Nestling in a quiet valley, with fully equipped caravans and lodges for hire, offering immediate access onto the Sandstone Trail, yet just nine miles from Chester. Short breaks available. Dogs welcome! Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa Worleston, Nantwich 0845 072 7533 www.rookeryhallhotel.com This magnificent Georgian mansion, set in 38 acres is the ideal place to escape and enjoy the surrounding gardens. Sandhollow Farm Bed and Breakfast Chester 01829 770894 www.sandhollow.co.uk Highly Commended at the Visit Chester & Cheshire Annual Awards 2007. Nestling on the Sandstone ridge of the Peckforton Hills, Sandhollow Farm was originally a working farm, now converted to provide four star guest accommodation.

Where to eat… Belle Époque Brasserie The Belle Époque, 60 King Street, Knutsford 01565 632661 www.thebelleepoque.com The award-winning Belle Époque has been named Cheshire Life Restaurant of the Year and secured the Hi-Life Diners Club 'Special Contribution' Award during 2006 under Head Chef, David Mooney. Fresh Approach Restaurant Bents Garden & Home Glazebury, nr. Warrington 01942 266300 Fresh, locally sourced ingredients, culinary expertise and a commitment to quality combine for a sensational dining experience at this awardwinning restaurant, where all food is freshly prepared to order, beautifully presented and bursting with flavour.

The Cock ‘O’ Barton Barton Road, Malpas 01829 782277 www.thecockobarton.co.uk An acclaimed country venue combining a contemporary feel with traditional values serving superb, locally produced food. Oddfellows Lower Bridge Street, Chester 01244 689809 www.oddfellows.biz Split over four floors, with a highly contemporary rear extension, the venue houses a number of bars and restaurants, a member’s lounge, an inspired garden and four deluxe individual rooms. The Pheasant Inn Higher Burwardsley, Tattenhall 01829 770343 Nestling in the Peckforton Hills, the Pheasant enjoys some of the most magnificent panoramic views in the area. Perfect for a relaxing country retreat to escape from the hustle of city life or for a quiet romantic weekend. The White House Prestbury 01625 829376 The White House restaurant is only a short walk from the manor. With limed oak beams, parchment block walls, Pottacio furniture, designer tablewear and cutlery it offers the best in contemporary fine dining. Cheshire Smokehouse Morley Green 01625 548499 The flavour of real food is all around you here – in the air, on the shelves, on the plate. Real food, real taste, a real pleasure in the finest quality produce – much of it made within yards of where you are standing. Upstairs at the Grill 70 Watergate Street, Chester 01244 344883 The marriage of food and drink is at the heart of this cutting-edge bar and restaurant. Soak in the atmosphere over a drink upstairs before dinner.

Where to buy… Bents Garden & Home Glazebury, nr. Warrington 01942 266300 www.bents.co.uk A complete garden, leisure and lifestyle experience with a reputation for its quality homegrown premium plant collection.

Fryer’s Garden Centre Manchester Road, Knutsford 01565 755455 www.fryers-roses.co.uk This prize-winning rose breeder also sells everything from furniture to BBQs. Grosvenor Garden Centre Chester 01244 625200 www.grosvenorgardencentre.co.uk “Garden Centre of Excellence for the 8th consecutive year” – Grosvenor has built an excellent reputation for providing its customers with quality horticultural and lifestyle products as well as expert knowledge. Macclesfield Garden Centre Bullocks Lane, Macclesfield 01625 618933 For quality plants, expert advice and a friendly helpful service visit Macclesfield Garden Centre where you will find everything you need for your garden. High Legh Garden Centre High Legh, Knutsford 01925 756991 www.klondyke.co.uk Enjoy shopping for outdoors as well as indoors at the nursery’s gift shop. The Hollies Farm Shop Forest Road, Little Budworth 01829 760414 www.theholliesfarmshop.com Winner – Best Supporter of Regional Food and Drink at the 2007 Visit Chester & Cheshire Awards. A family business established for more than 45 years, providing farm-fresh produce and gourmet foods. Marbury Hall Nurseries Marbury, nr. Northwich 01606 74168 www.marburynurseries.co.uk A large collection of plants for sale, with many unusual and exotic varieties, including bamboos, tree ferns, shrubs, alpines and palm trees. Brookside Garden Centre Poynton 01625 872919 Plants, trees and shrubs for indoors and outdoors, hardware and ironmongery stores and an Aquatic Centre. Ned Yates Garden Centre Wilmslow 01625 522128 For over three decades Ned Yates has been a name synonymous with all that is best in the English garden.

{o discover Cheshire simply... =visitcheshire.com 33

Liverpool City Region Visit the Liverpool City Region where you can spot endangered native red squirrels living among the pine woods of Formby Point. Or perhaps you’d rather see the largest herd of African Elephants at Knowsley Safari Park. In contrast, the National Wildflower Centre at Knowsley is Europe’s only attraction dedicated to native plants. Beyond the vibrant city centre of Liverpool the region has over 57 kilometres of stunning beaches and coastline which includes Sefton's Natural Coast and the Wirral Peninsula. The region also boasts a rich variety of inland habitats ranging from fields and hedgerows to woodland, heath and moorland. The area supports a remarkable variety of birds, animals and plants as well as beautiful parks and ornamental gardens, many of which are easily accessible by cycle paths and walking trails. Sefton Park in Liverpool is arguably the best known and most loved by locals. The magnificent 200-acre park looks like a natural landscape rather than a man-made park. In spring the sight of millions of golden daffodils around the lake draws residents from across the city and carpets of bluebells give an impression of rural permanence. The park features many distinctive curved paths and driveways and beech and other indigenous British trees abound. Amongst the park’s many features are a boating lake, replica statues of Eros and Peter Pan and a café. The park is also home to the famous Palm House, a fabulous glass-panelled building that has been restored to its former glory.

Calderstones along with Sefton Park are among the most spacious and attractive gardens in the region. Stanley Park, Newsham Park and Wavertree Botanic Park also reflect the horticultural splendour of the city. Sefton Park Palm House is a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian glasshouse with an octagonal three-tiered structure showcasing the Liverpool Botanical collection. A visit to Churchtown Botanic Gardens and Museum is a must. This truly is the jewel in Southport's crown and dates all the way back to1874. Why not start your visit by drinking in the landscape of award-winning floral displays – enjoy them on foot, or from a boat trip on the lake. The bluebell trail is not to be missed in spring – acres of these pretty flowers carpet huge areas of the park. You'll find a selection of features that make this park so special – such as wrought iron bridges, boating, a bowling green, fernery and traditional lawn. And finally, there's no better way to spend a Sunday in summer than enjoying the bandstand programme of afternoon music.

to find out more visit... merseycoastandcountry.com 35

Flower Shows

Go Superlambanana June – August Liverpool Hundreds of Superlambananas, one of Liverpool’s most iconic and best loved pieces of public art – originally, created by Taro Hiezo for Arts Transpennine in 1998 – will be painted, decorated and adorned by local and regional artists, community groups and celebrities. The Go Superlambanana sculpture has been specially designed to act as a 3D canvas to showcase the creativity of Liverpool – its heritage; architecture; regeneration and its world renowned arts’ scene. Taylor Park, in St.Helens is the largest of the town’s Victorian parks. Opened to the public in 1893 and Grade II listed on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, Taylor Park is 21.25 hectares in size and originally formed part of the Eccleston Hall Estate. Home to the Southport Flower Show, Victoria Park is also worth experiencing throughout the rest of the year. It has lawn areas for ball games and picnics, as well as a substantial children's play area and a miniature steam train which runs on weekends. Birkenhead Park, on the Wirral Peninsula, created by Sir Joseph Paxton has been recently restored to its former glory. This was Britian's first public park and the model for New York's Central Park. The National Wildflower Centre in Knowsley, represents the region’s dedication to maintaining its famous 'wildflower' title. There is a wonderful array of wildflowers and impressive landscapes to visit. Winning awards for its architecture and design, the centre really helps people to understand the environment.

Events Kites Over the Mersey 7th – 8th June New Brighton Promenade, Wirral Peninsula www.visitwirral.com This colourful event will transform New Brighton Promenade into a sea of sails. As well as kite flying, there will be workshops for children and, if they bring their teddy bear along, they can enter into the teddy drop, where they will be parachuted into the main arena from a static kite! Liverpool International Tennis Tournament 10th – 15th June Calderstones Park, Liverpool www.visitliverpool.com The 7th Liverpool International will again take place in the beautiful surroundings of Calderstones Park. The event grows in size and reputation every year and is now one of the biggest tennis exhibition events in the world. Tall Ships 18th – 21st July The Waterfront, Liverpool Tel: 0151 233 2008 One of the major highlights for Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture, is the prestigious honour of hosting the start of the Tall Ships' Races 2008. The fleet will be berthed in Liverpool from 18th to 21st July. Large Class A Tall Ships will be berthed in Wellington and Sandon Half Tide Docks and Class B, C, and D vessels will be berthed in Albert, Canning and Canning Half Tide Dock. The ships will leave Liverpool on Monday 21st July and take part in a spectacular Parade of Sail on the River Mersey.

Knowsley Flower Show 10th August National Wildflower Centre Tel: 0151 443 2156 www.nwc.org.uk One of the largest free horicultural shows in the Northwest. Affiliated to the Royal Horicultural Society, the show offers budding gardeners and novices the opportunity to enter over 100 classes.

Liverpool Biennial 20th September – 30th November Liverpool Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s only International Festival of Contemporary Art. For ten weeks once every two years, many of the world’s most exciting artists are invited to create new works in dozens of locations throughout Liverpool and hundreds of the best British artists compete for accolade through the John Moores prize for contemporary painting and New Contemporaries exhibition. Fragrant at the Bluecoat Throughout the year Croxteth Country Park Liverpool’s Botanical Collection, now partly housed in Croxteth Country Park, inspires a series of free activities and performances. Sefton Park Fireworks 5th November Join in the Bonfire Night celebrations at Sefton Park.

Southport Flower Show 21st – 24th August Victoria Park Tel: 01704 547 147 www.southportflowershow.co.uk Internationally renowned and the largest independent flower show in the country attracting up to 80,000 visitors each year, this outstanding horticultural occasion takes place in 34 acres of Victoria Park, offering something for everyone including amateur and professional gardeners. Celebration in Flowers 11th – 14th September Parish Church of St Columba Tel: 0151 474 7231 The Parish Church of St Columba Anfield with the Church of England Flower Arrangers Association Present ‘City of Culture Celebrated in Flowers’.

Why I love…

Clockwise from above: Southport Flower Show Kites over the Mersey Knowsley Flower Show Ness Botanic Gardens Sefton Park

“The gardens at Southport Flower Show are really good, I can’t believe the variety of displays.The atmosphere is fantastic!”

Diarmuid Gavin Garden Designer, TV Personality

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Liverpool essentials Here’s a small selection of where to find the best within the region. All accommodation within this guide has been inspected by either VisitBritain or the AA.

Where to visit... National Wildflower Centre Court Hey Park, Roby Road 0151 738 1913 www.nwc.org.uk The National Wildflower Centre offers an innovative visitor centre where visitors can learn about wildflowers in a family friendly place with nature at its heart. Ness Botanic Gardens Neston Road, Neston, Wirral 0151 353 0123 www.nessgardens.org.uk Of international repute, Ness Botanic Gardens is a garden for all seasons. A major visitor attraction in the region with stunning features and views over the Dee Estuary, restaurant, gift shop and plant sales. Sefton Park Palm House Sefton Park, Liverpool 0151 726 2415 www.palmhouse.org.uk Sefton Park Palm House is a Grade II listed Victorian glasshouse, it is an octagonal three-tiered structure, showcasing the Liverpool Botanical collection. Open to the public 7 days a week with a varied arts and events programme.

Where to eat... The London Carriage Works 40 Hope Street, Liverpool 0151 705 2222 www.tlcw.co.uk Classic cuisine with a creative modern twist and the freshest local and organic produce. Our knowledgeable and devoted staff include a sommelier with a wine list of over 300 carefully selected wines. The Yellow Rooms Hillbark Hotel, Royden Park Frankby, Wirral 0151 625 2400 www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk The elegant Yellow Room restaurant has rapidly established itself as a premier gourmet dining destination. Extravagantly furnished with lavish gilt armchairs, the tables laid with crisp white linen, finest crystal and silverware, creating an opulent yet relaxing candlelit ambience. Delifonseca 12 Stanley Street, Liverpool 0151 255 0808 www.delifonseca.co.uk Delifonseca is an independent city-centre neighbourhood restaurant that's passionate about food. Located on the mezzanine level above a bustling delicatessen, the daily blackboard menu celebrates ‘peasant food’ where traditional cooking methods combine with quality ingredients such as Welsh Black Beef and Cumbrian Mutton.

Taylor Park Grosvenor Road, St.Helens www.sthelens.gov.uk Victoria Park Rotten Row, Southport www.visitsouthport.com

38 to find out more visit... merseycoastandcountry.com

Where to stay...

Where to buy...

Radisson SAS Hotel 107 Old Hall Street, Liverpool 0151 966 1500 www.liverpool.radissonsas.com Situated in the heart of Liverpool’s business district with breathtaking views over the River Mersey and an interior with its own style and artistic flair. The Radisson SAS is Liverpool’s premier four star deluxe hotel.

Buckels Nursery Copplehouse Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool 0151 525 2712 www.buckelsgardencentre.co.uk Growers for more than a century. Fine selection of herbaceous and bedding plants on a three-acre site with coffee shop.

Blenheim Lakeside Hotel 37 Aigburth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool 0151 727 7380 Large Victorian villa overlooking Sefton Park, offering first-class bed and breakfast accommodation at an unbeatable price. Former family home of The Beatles Stu Sutcliffe. Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa Neston Road, Thornton Hough Wirral 0151 336 3938 www.thorntonhallhotel.com Thornton Hall Hotel is a four star family-owned hotel, set in beautiful gardens in one of Wirral's most attractive villages, Thornton Hough, former seat of the Lever Hulme family. Hillbark Royden Park, Frankby, Wirral 0151 625 2400 www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk Nestling in 250 acres of beautiful Wirral parkland and overlooking the scenic Dee Estuary, just 15 minutes yet a million miles away from vibrant Liverpool, this magnificent Grade II Listed hotel provides the finest luxury coupled with discreet yet friendly service from the resident owners and their team.

Hartleys Farm Shop & Nurseries Lydiate, Liverpool 0151 526 1577 A family-run nursery, in business since the late 19th century. Top quality chrysanthemums, bedding plants and shrubs. Liverpool ONE Paradise Street 0151 233 2008 www.liverpool-one.com Liverpool ONE brings the best in fashion, home and leisure to the city. Opened in spring 2008, this luxurious shopping experience includes 160 exciting new shops, cafés and restaurants overlooking the stunning Chavasse Park, two new hotels, a 14screen Odeon cinema and more than 600 stylish apartments. For accommodation bookings www.visitliverpool.com Accommodation Hotline 0844 870 0123 (UK) +44 (0)151 709 8111 (overseas)

Clockwise from left: Hillbark Calderstone Park

Browsholme Hall Gardens, in Clitheroe, have undergone a mass restoration project with only a single gardener tackling the difficult natural conditions of this magnificent home and garden. Features include the Yew Walk – a tunnel of Yew trees planted over 300 years ago, a 100 year old Chestnut Avenue and an ornamental pond. Pendle Heritage Centre in the Pennine Lancashire village of Barrowford is a Grade II Listed building set around an 18th century walled garden that dates back to 1780. Restored potting sheds house an exhibition on the history of the garden and the house contains an art gallery and Garden Tea Room. Barbara Barlow’s Cottage Garden, Chorley Once a mill owner’s house the walled orchard is now full of perennial borders but also retains many of its orchard trees giving it a cottage style garden. Woodland and rhododendron also feature. Clockwise from bottom left: Gresgarth Cobble Hey Farm Ashton Memorial Ribble Valley near Downham Myerscough Gardens

Lancashire Nestled in Lancashire’s spectacular countryside, discover a variety of stunning gardens and country parks alongside stately halls and historic landmarks. For rare wildlife and panoramic views, explore the expansive landscape of the Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Stanley Park is an award-winning 256-acre oasis just a few miles from the bustling Blackpool seafront. 2008 sees the completion of a massive restoration project in the park that has included the planting of over 100 trees, renovation of the rose garden and work on the Italian gardens. The Grade II

listed park, opened originally in 1926, is one of England’s largest green spaces and features an array of scenic walks around ornamental lakes, natural woodland, Italian fountains and historical landmarks. The more active will find a range of sporting facilities from the 90-acre golf course and tennis courts to football pitches and trampolines. For something different you can view the world in miniature at the awardwinning Blackpool Model Village attraction or hire a boat and explore the stunning lake. Public conservatories and the Plant World Garden Centre can also be found in the park. At the opposite end of the scale Cobble Hey Farm & Gardens is a stunning country garden on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. In just eight years, this working farm has become the setting for a beautiful garden and visitor attraction. What was once an area for grazing sheep is now bursting with colour and life. Discover woodland streams, rockeries and a national geranium collection from Catforth Gardens alongside rare breed animals and a tearoom serving homemade Lancashire food. Take in spectacular views over the Forest of Bowland and on a clear day out to the Welsh mountains

and Isle of Man. Keenly aware of the rich wildlife beyond the garden, Cobble Hey is also a Lapwing conservation area in association with the RSPB and has recently added a range of excellent walks ranging from a 40-minute farm walk to a full day walk of over 5 hours. Created in 1881, Williamson Park in Lancaster, covers 54 acres of landscaped lawns, seasonal flower beds, waterfalls and fountains. A 15-acre extension to the park has added a woodland area of mature trees and wild flowers together with a special feeding area for local birdlife. Dominating the skyline, the Ashton Memorial, built by millionaire Lancastrian Lord Ashton in 1906 as a tribute to his late wife, provides panoramic views across Morecambe Bay. The stonework reflects the colour of the sun, changing from pale yellow through brilliant white to deep orange depending on the time of day, leading to the building being referred to as the ‘Taj Mahal of the North’.

Bretherton’s Garden A diverse group of gardens in an attractive village eight miles from Preston. The gardens include a Victorian cottager’s plot, an historic orchard and Italianate courtyard. The Barn at Scorton Specialists in hardy herbaceous perennials grown in their own nursery, the Barn is a popular attraction both for its plant centre and gift shop. Myerscough Gardens and Plant World, in Bilsborrow, contains over twenty themed plant boarders set into a large lawned area. Other features include a bog garden, ornamental kitchen garden and a large collection of trees. Visit www.visitlancashire.com for more information on these gardens and more in Lancashire.

Gresgarth Hall in Caton, country home of garden designer and writer Arabella Lennox-Boyd, is a must-see for garden enthusiasts. Mediterranean plants thrive among the ferns, acers, lilacs, magnolias and azaleas. Look out for the themed gardens as well as the modern and classical sculptures displayed throughout the garden. Bespoke furniture, seating areas, gates and a bridge over the Artle Beck add to this impressive garden. The garden is open to the public on the second Sunday of every month until October.

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Lancashire Events Taste Lancashire ‘08 – A Year of Food & Drink www.tastelancashire08.com Taste Lancashire ‘08 is a year-long programme featuring a wide range of food events, activities and promotions. Garstang Walking Festival 3rd – 11th May www.visitlancashire.com A programme of walks and activities for all the family in Garstang’s breathtaking countryside. Explore the hills of the Forest of Bowland, the bluebell woodlands and the Lancaster Canal. Bowland Festival 1st – 8th June www.bowlandfestival.co.uk Learn more about the Forest of Bowland’s exceptional birds and wildlife, explore its heritage, enjoy its landscape and sample its delicious food and drink through a series of events and activities led by experts.

Why I love… “I love the gardens of Lancashire as they untie the garden owner’s passion for plants with warm-hearted and welcoming Lancastrian hospitality!”

Christine Walkden Garden Designer, TV Personality

Clockwise from above: Gresgarth Hall Garstang Walking Festival Wycoller Country Park Gresgarth Hall

Dukes Promenade Season Williamson Park, Lancaster 3rd July – 9th August www.williamsonpark.com Exciting and entertaining performances especially staged to utilise many of the natural features of Williamson Park.

essentials Here’s a small selection of where to find the best within the region. All accommodation within this guide has been inspected by either VisitBritain or the AA.

Browsholme Hall Cow Ark, nr. Clitheroe 01254 826719 www.browsholme.co.uk Includes 300 year old Yew Walk, Chestnut Avenue and 3 acre lake.

Where to visit...

Cobble Hey Gardens Claughton-on-Brock 01995 602643 www.cobblehey.co.uk Award-winning visitor attraction with Lapwing conversation area.

Avenham & Miller Parks Preston 01772 203456 Amongst the finest example of traditional Victorian parkland in the Northwest. Barbara Barlow’s Cottage Garden Chorley 01257 279981 Enter a world of woodland and rhododendron via a blazing laburnum arch. Bowland Wild Boar Park Chipping 01995 61554 www.wildboarpark.co.uk View wild boars, cattle, llama, wallabys, red squirrels and pet lambs. Bretherton’s Gardens A diverse group of gardens in an attractive village eight miles Southwest of Preston. Check www.visitlancashire.com for individual open days and times. Hazel Cottage South View 01722 600896 Victorian cottager’s plot in one-third of an acre.

Much Ado about Nothing Leighton Hall, nr. Carnforth 25th July www.leightonhall.co.uk This year’s alfresco performance set in Leighton Hall’s beautiful gardens is performed by the Festival Players. Leighton’s gardens open at 6pm for pre-performance picnics.

Hazelwood North Road 01772 601433 Hardy perrenials in an historic orchard with nursery.

Northwest Food Lovers Festival Stonyhurst College 2nd – 3rd August www.nwfinefood.co.uk A celebration of regional food and drink in the heart of the Forest of Bowland. A mixture of fine food producers and an exciting programme of celebrity chef demonstrations.

Moss Cottage Moss Lane Animal lovers’ garden in an open rural setting.

Briar Cottage South Road A small south-facing walled garden with listed long barn.

West Side Cottage Doles Lane Cottage garden with seasonal borders, ponds and copse.

Gresgarth Hall Caton, Lancaster 01524 770313 The country home of Arabella Lennox-Boyd. The garden features terraced gardens, a redesigned lake, kitchen garden and orchard. Hoghton Tower Gardens On A675 east of Preston 01254 852986 www.hoghtontower.co.uk An example of English renaissance architecture in stunning gardens and countryside. Leighton Hall Carnforth 01524 734474 www.leightonhall.co.uk Spectacular grounds and gardens with displays from trained birds of prey.

Samlesbury Hall nr. Blackburn 01254 812010 www.samlesburyhall.co.uk An oak-timbered medieval manor-house dating from 1325 with garden centre now open.

Williamson Park Lancaster 01524 33318 www.williamsonpark.com 54 acres of beautiful parkland with enchanting walks and breathtaking views over the Fylde Coast.

Stanley Park West Park Drive, Blackpool 01253 478428 www.friendsofstanleypark.org.uk Stone statues and frothing fountains in the showpiece Italian Gardens.

Worden Park Leyland 01772 625400 Formal garden and a magnificent conservatory originally built in 1892 alongside the famous puzzle garden.

Towneley Park Todmorden Road, Burnley 01282 424213 www.towneleyhall.org.uk Recently restored landscaped park with sculpture trail and Towneley Garden Centre.

Wycoller Park Pepper Hill, Trawden,Colne 01282 870253 Famous for its association with the Brontè sisters who referred to many of the nearby landmarks in novels such as Jane Eyre.

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Martin Mere Burscough 01704 895181 www.wwt.org.uk 50-acre landscaped waterfowl gardens you can feed the world's largest and endangered species straight from your hand.

Wyre Estuary Country Park Stanah, Thornton, Cleveleys 01253 857890 Situated by the River Wyre this is an ideal place for picnic lovers or bird-watchers.

Lytham Hall Ballam Road, Lytham 01253 736652 www.lythamhall.org Tour the 80-acres of park and woodland. Visit the Grade I Listed Hall. Pendle Heritage Centre Colne Road, Barrowford 01282 661701 A group of attractive listed Grade II farm buildings and walled garden. Rufford Old Hall Rufford, nr. Ormskirk 01704 821254 www.nationaltrust.org.uk This timber-framed Tudor hall in late-medieval style is one of the finest 16th century buildings in Lancashire.

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Where to stay... Avenue Hotel Brockhall Village, nr. Blackburn 01254 244811 www.theavenuehotel.co.uk A modern hotel and restaurant set in a glorious garden with sculpture trails. The Bower Yealand Conyers, Carnforth 01524 734585 www.thebower.co.uk This Georgian B&B with a dining room opening onto gardens is situated in Arnside and Silverdale an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. Gibbon Bridge Hotel Forest of Bowland 01995 61456 www.gibbon-bridge.co.uk Nestled in 23 acres of award winning gardens and surrounded by the spectacular Forest of Bowland.

Stanley House Hotel Mellor 01254 769200 www.stanleyhouse.co.uk VisitBritain Small Hotel of the Year 2007 with 12 individually designed bedrooms. Swan’s Rest Holiday Cottages Poulton-le-Fylde 01253 886617 www.swansrest.co.uk Exclusive development set in eight acres with idyllic landscaped gardens. Wolfen Mill Country Retreats Chipping 01995 61574 www.wolfenmill.co.uk A 300-year-old country mill surrounded by seven acres of garden, woodland and lake.

Where to eat… The Taste Lancashire award scheme acknowledges establishments who provide a high-quality eating experience. For a full list see www.tastelancashire08.com Bay Horse Inn Forton 01524 791204 www.bayhorseinn.com Modern British cuisine using local produce.

Lancaster House Hotel Green Lane, Ellel 01524 844822 www.elh.co.uk Country house style four star hotel with new Lancashire themed restaurant ‘Foodworks’. Number One Blackpool South Shore, Blackpool 01253 343901 Five star Gold B&B. Winners of VisitBritain B&B of the Year 2007.

The Three Fishes Great Mitton, nr. Whalley 01254 826888 www.thethreefishes.com Regional cookery and British classics in the Ribble Valley. Ye Horns Inn Goosnargh 01772 865230 www.yehornsinn.co.uk Specialists in traditional north of England cooking.

Clockwise from left Number One Pendle Heritage Centre

Kwizeen Restaurant Blackpool 01253 290045 www.kwizeenrestaurant.co.uk Boutique restaurant specializing in local and seasonal produce. Inn at Whitewell Forest of Bowland 01200 448222 www.innatwhitewell.com Rural riverside setting in the heart of the Forest of Bowland. The Millstone at Mellor Mellor 01254 813333 www.millstonehotel.co.uk Charming coaching inn with restaurant. Seniors Restaurant & Takeaway Thornton 01253 858585 www.seniorsfishexperience.com Award-winning fish and chip restaurant. Northcote Manor Langho, Blackburn 01254 240555 www.northcotemanor.com Outstanding Michelin-listed restaurant. Shireburn Arms Hotel Hurst Green, Clitheroe 01254 826518 www.shireburnarmshotel.com 16th century three star country house hotel serving traditional British food.

Where to buy... The Barn Plant Centre & Gift Shop The Square, Scorton 01524 793533 Gardenmakers Coars Farm, Wigglesworth 01729 840848 Hawthornes Nursery Hesketh Bank, nr. Preston 01772 812379 Holden Clough Nursery Bolton-by-Bowland 01200 447615 Plant World Myerscough College, Bilsborrow 01995 699570 Waterslack Farm Shop & Garden Centre Ford Lane, Silverdale 01524 701255 Kayes Tearoom and Nursery Garden Silverdale 01524 702010

Manchester

Barton Grange Garden Centre & Marina Brock, Garstang 0845 833 2442

Manchester is one of Britain’s most sustainable cities combining vibrant urban landscapes and a superb natural environment both in and around the city.

For more information on these establishments and more go to www.visitlancashire.com

Heaton

Park

A quarter of Manchester’s green space

...is contributed by this 640-acre park at the foothills of the Pennines. One of the largest public parks in Europe, Heaton Park is listed Grade II on the English Heritage Register of Parks. Enjoy ornamental ponds, period gardens, park and woodland. Why not join the park wardens for a woodland walk and learn how the seasons affect the landscape? Or on sunny days take a rowing boat on the 12-acre lake. Whilst visiting the park, don’t miss Heaton Hall. This fine 18th century neoclassical building is open to the public free of charge in the summer months with free guided tours by arrangement. The ground floor range of rooms on the Northeast front has been converted to an expansive space that houses a Park Life exhibition telling the story of the park.

One of the most interesting new facilities is the creation of a base for the Manchester Beekeepers’ Association in the restored Dower House. The Beekeepers open the building to the public who can watch the bees in the demonstration hive, see Heaton Park honey being extracted from the comb in the state-of-the-art extraction area, and buy a jar of Heaton Park honey. There’s lots of opportunity to experience local wildlife in the space around Heaton Park. A packed summer events programme includes bug hunts and bird box making. For animal lovers, drop in to the Animal Centre, where you can meet a range of wonderful creatures from Alpacas to Pekin Hens and saddle up for a donkey ride or ride a horse along a wooded streamside.

What’s on The park offers an exciting calendar of events including murder mystery nights, outdoor theatre and concerts, sports and environmental activities. See www.heatonpark.org.uk for up-to-date event listings.

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Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens Nestled in the suburbs and located close to the bustling Didsbury village, Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens offer a perfect retreat from the busy city life. Robert Wood Williamson created a rockery which is part of the gardens but in 1912 sold it together with his house called The Croft to Alderman Fletcher Moss. Alderman Moss subsequently donated Fletcher Moss Gardens to the people of Manchester in 1919. The botanical gardens contain an impressive collection of exotic trees and shrubs including Chusan palms, tulip tree, mulberry, dawn redwood, swamp cypress, Chinese dogwood, common walnut and the unique Adam's Laburnum whose branches flower both in purple and yellow. Chorlton Water Park One of the most popular sites in the Mersey Valley. Chorlton Water Park comprises a large lake surrounded by plenty of footpaths leading to woodland and wildflower meadows, a play area for children and picnic tables. The lake hosts a variety of water based activities including dinghy sailing and windsurfing. The 170-acre site enjoys common spotted and northern marsh orchid in the summer. SUMMER in the Park 12th & 13th July www.summerinthepark.co.uk July 2008 sees the inaugural SUMMER in the Park event at Platt Fields Park, brought to you by Manchester Food and Drink Festival. A weekend food and drink fiesta in a suburban park setting, expect a communal outdoor picnic feel, the best restaurants and chefs in the region, kids’ activity and live music to celebrate Manchester’s unique community spirit and the fantastic food and drink the region has to offer. In keeping with Manchester Food and Drink Festival ethos the event will have healthy and sustainable eating and dining at its core. City Centre Green Within Manchester’s magnificent urban backdrop you can take time to unwind in one of the city’s picturesque squares or gardens. Cathedral Gardens sits peacefully in the city, and is surrounded by the millennium structure Urbis and Manchester Cathedral. Around the corner on Exchange Square you’ll find terraced rows of benches and the BBC Big Screen, providing a focal point for the city centre. Piccadilly Gardens at the heart of the city provides a fantastic public space lined with contemporary drinking and dining venues, trees, grass and a huge jet fountain. Elsewhere, nestled between Sackville Street and Canal Street lies Sackville Park, a grassy place with plenty of room to sit down and relax. The park is home to a statue of World War 2 code-breaker Alan Turing, who worked at the University of Manchester opposite the park.

Manchester

Events

essentials

Piccadilly Flower Market Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm Piccadilly Gardens www.manchester.gov.uk Pick up an attractive bouquet in your lunch hour or on your way to the train or bus station, Piccadilly Flower Market is a treat selling exotic arrangements, potted plants, cut flowers and even bonsai trees.

Here’s a small selection of where to find the best within the region. All accommodation within this guide has been inspected by either VisitBritain or the AA.

Where to visit... Feast! Picnic by the Lake 6th – 8th June Platt Fields, Rusholme www.streetsahead.org.uk A mass picnic on the lake with entertainment at your table; outdoor theatre, circus, strolling musicians, magic, games and activities, delicious food and good company spanning two summer evenings and a lazy Sunday afternoon. Garden Market, Albert Square 12th – 29th June, 10am to 8pm The huge selection of bulbs, plants and blooms at the Garden Market provide the perfect backdrop to the tea garden where visitors can soak up the sunshine whilst enjoying summer foods and refreshments. Romeo & Juliet at Heaton Park 17th – 22nd June www.quaytickets.co.uk The violence and the passion, the humour and the tragedy; the world of Shakespeare’s fair Verona is brought vividly to life in a new outdoor production from Shakespeare’s Globe.

“Before planting daffodil bulbs in the autumn, feed the soil first with some slow release fertilizer. Once they have finished flowering dead head if practical. Do not be tempted to cut them back or tie them in knots after flowering, let the foliage die down naturally as all the goodness will go back into the bulb. This process should take about a month, do not disturb the clumps unless it is necessary.”

Brian Linney Environmental Services Landscape Team Leader, The Trafford Centre

Alexandra Park Alexandra Road South, Moss Side 0161 226 3117 Victorian park covering 60 acres. Features include a lime walk, raised terrace walk, bandstand and a lake with an island sanctuary.

SUMMER in the park 12th & 13th July www.summerinthepark.co.uk A weekend food and drink fiesta in a suburban park setting. Urban Moves 24th – 27th July www.streetsahead.org.uk Festival of open air and site specific dance in Greater Manchester. Flower Carpet July/August www.streetsahead.org.uk Held in Albert Square, Manchester, a return for this visually stunning project that will involve several hundred volunteers placing an elaborate ‘damask-style’ design of a carpet in flowers, on the ground in front of the Town Hall. Heaton Park Summer Plant Fair 17th August www.heatonpark.org.uk Held within the beautiful Walled Garden at Heaton Park, this promises to be a firm favourite for anyone who loves gardens and gardening! Admission £2.00.

top

tip

Nicole & Martin Circus (Switzerland) 22nd – 25th August Platt Fields, Rusholme www.streetsahead.org.uk Delightful family circus to bring a welcome thrill to the end of the summer holidays. A hit at Edinburgh in 2007, Nicole et Martin features acrobatics, mystery and some magical moments for even the littlest children.

Bramhall Park nr. Stockport 0845 833 0974 Timber-framed manor house dating back to the 14th century, with ample gardens and parkland. Burrs Country Park Woodhill Road, Bury 0161 253 5111 Based around the River Irwell and two redeveloped cotton mills. Ideal for country walks. Chorlton Water Park Maitland Avenue, Chorlton 0161 881 5639 Manchester’s first designated local nature reserve set around a central lake with meandering paths leading into woodland and wildflower meadows. Haigh Hall & Country Park Haigh, nr. Wigan 01942 832895 Heaton Park Prestwich 0161 773 1085 One of the largest public parks in Europe with ornamental ponds, period gardens, woodland walks and historic landscape. Platt Fields Park Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield 0161 224 2902 This 17-acre park in central Manchester is one of the city’s major outdoor sites. Formally opened in 1910, its main feature is a six-acre lake complete with island.

Smithills Country Park Smithills Dean Road, Bolton 01204 334010 With more than 2,000 acres of moorland, woodland and farmland, this is an excellent place for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, with good off-road bridleways, guided trails and picnic areas.

Where to stay... Arora International Hotel Princess Street 0161 238 4342 www.arorainternational.com Contemporary in design, yet maintaining the unique character of its Grade II listed heritage, the city centre Arora International is perfectly located opposite Manchester Art Gallery and close to China Town. Brooklands Luxury Lodge Marsland Road, Sale 0161 973 3283 Built in 1851, this charming Austrianstyle lodge offers every modern convenience and a beautiful garden. The Lowry Hotel Chapel Wharf, Salford 0161 827 4000 www.roccofortehotels.com Spacious bedrooms offer wonderful river views and there are two fine restaurants at this five star hotel. Malmaison Piccadilly 0161 278 1000 www.malmaison.com Super-stylish hotel and brasserie located in a landmark building in Piccadilly. Part of the Malmaison chain. Marriott Worsley Park & Country Club Park & Country Club, Worsley Park, Worsley 0161 975 2000 www.marriott.co.uk Tucked away in 200 acres of peaceful parkland, the hotel offers its own championship golf course, leisure club, choice of restaurants and Aroma spa.

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The Midland Hotel Peter Street 0161 236 3333 www.qhotels.co.uk Luxurious city centre hotel. The Octagon lounge and bar is a popular meeting spot for tea or pre-dinner drinks. Radisson Edwardian Manchester Free Trade Hall, Peter Street 0161 835 9929 www.radissonedwardian.com /manchester England’s Northwest Large Hotel of the Year 2007. A five star city centre hotel that is a recent addition to Manchester’s luxury portfolio.

Where to eat... Chaophraya Chapel Walks 0161 832 8342 www.chaophraya.co.uk The finest Thai cuisine in a luxuriously modern setting. Choice Bar & Restaurant Castlefield 0161 833 3400 www.choicebarandrestaurant.co.uk Cosy canalside spot providing some of the best modern British food in the north of England.

Grill on the alley Ridgefield 0161 833 3465 www.blackhousegrills.com A haven of great food, drink and atmosphere; enjoy a produce-driven menu of freshly prepared and mouth watering dishes cooked correctly and served simply. The Lass O’Gowrie Charles Street 0161 273 6932 www.thelass.co.uk One of the most famous traditional pubs still standing in Manchester, the Lass provides nine real ales and fine traditional, wholesome food every day. The Modern at Urbis Cathedral Gardens 0161 605 8282 www.urbis.org.uk/lemont Located on the fifth and sixth levels of Urbis, the recently opened Modern has a simple contemporary interior and serves modern British cuisine. Love Saves the Day Deansgate 0161 834 2266 www.lovesavestheday.com Love Saves the Day is Manchester’s own award-winning deli, café bar and wine merchant, retailing and serving great quality independently sourced food and drink in an informal atmosphere.

Ning Oldham Street 0161 238 9099 www.ningcatering.com Delicious and authentic Southeast Asian and fusion cuisine, striking décor. Northern Quarter Restaurant High Street 0161 832 7115 www.tnq.co.uk Gutsy fresh food is created by Head Chef Jason Wass using prime local ingredients with added flavours of the Med and beyond. Ramsbottoms Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury 01706 825 070 www.ramsons.org.uk A foodies’ favourite in a West Pennine village, small, warm and personal serving a good range of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes, freshly prepared on site from natural, seasonal, traceable ingredients. Redhouse Farm Shop & Tea Rooms Dunham Massey, Altrincham 0161 941 3480 www.redhousefarm.co.uk Delicious homegrown fresh produce and an outstanding selection of homemade cakes and desserts make these tearooms a real treat.

Sam’s Chop House Chapel Walks 0161 834 3210 www.samschophouse.co.uk Premier gastro-pub serving modern British dishes with flair, including steaks, ribs and beef hash – its signature dish. Nutters Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale 01706 650 167 www.nuttersrestaurant.co.uk Housed in the lavish settings of an 18th century manor house, set in 6 ½ acres of groomed parkland, serving modern British cuisine from local and regional produce. Shimla Pinks Dolefield, Crowne Square 0161 831 7099 www.shimlapinksmanchester.com Stylish restaurant serving contemporary Indian cuisine. Yang Sing Princess Street 0161 236 2200 www.yang-sing.com One of Europe’s leading Cantonese restaurants. From a Dim Sum lunch to a conference dinner, Yang Sing provides unbeatable value.

The Lake District & Cumbria The Lake District and Cumbria has the best of all worlds – fine gardens sitting in one of the great European landscapes, where meticulous planting contrasts with a spectacular mountain backdrop.

Visit

Mirehouse

historic house and gardens

Located by the shores of Bassenthwaite near Keswick you will discover many hidden delights, not least a ‘snuff’ garden. Mirehouse has a celebrated Bee Garden, an enchanting Poetry Walk, wonderful woodland gardens, and stands amidst magnificent lakeside and mountain scenery. The long history of this garden is clear when bearing in mind that the huge Scots Pines beside the drive were planted in 1784. Beneath them is a collection of rhododendrons and hydrangeas planted over the last hundred years. The gardens link woodland, fell and lakeshore. From the cover of the wood you will emerge into the spacious, sheltered Bee Garden. The ceanothus border with its varieties of striking blue flowers is a haven for foraging bees.

From dawn to dusk throughout July, the lime trees are a-buzz with these insect foragers hard at work. In the mid 1990s extensive restoration took place – bee hives were set up in a sheltered corner; an orchard of traditional Cumbrian fruit trees was planted and a heather path maze was made, based on the design of the famous turf mazes by the Solway. In front of the House is a rare ancient wildflower meadow with forty three species of plant, together with numerous other species that live amongst them. Behind the house are terraced lawns and the Canada Garden which houses a rhododendron tunnel, one of England’s few Snuff Gardens and simple wooden structures. It’s little wonder that Thomas Carlyle penned “Mirehouse was beautiful and so were the ways of it, not to mention Skiddaw and the finest mountains on earth”. And Mirehouse is as beautiful as it is inspiring today as it has been for so many other writers and artists in the past. www.mirehouse.com

to find out more... golakes.co.uk/gardens 49

A Mine of Gardening Inspiration Honister, Borrowdale www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk If you visited the 2007 RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, then you may have seen and admired the Lake District Reflections Garden which picked up a prestigious Silver Award. If you missed it, then don’t worry, the garden has now been rebuilt at Honister Slate Mine, set against the stunning Borrowdale Valley and at the head of Honister Pass. The garden has been designed to illustrate how local traditional materials and techniques can be used to create a contemporary garden. The lush planting echoes the Lake District’s unique native flora and the rugged native green slate used symbolises the fells and mountains from where it is quarried. Likewise the pond emulates the lakes and streams of the area. Honister Slate Mine is not only England’s last remaining working slate mine but it’s also a treasure trove of general garden ideas and products. Keen gardeners will love the range of monoliths, fountains and crazy paving. The location is spectacular too. Honister Slate Mine is right at the heart of Cumbria and the Lake District, where Honister Craggs has been designated ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’. Here you can discover rare species such as the wood geranium. Words of Wisdom Rydal Mount, nr. Ambleside www.rydalmount.co.uk The home of William Wordsworth has gardens laid out to his exacting specifications, designed to be informal and blend in with its beautiful surroundings. Rare shrubs and trees mingle with late-Victorian plants. For an inspirational view, walk up to the Summer House.

Timeless Classic Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk Visit the beautiful 18th century walled garden now a spectacular flower garden with beds and borders of spring bulbs, herbaceous and annual flowers. The terraces and topiary, to the south and west of the house act as a delicate foil to the stunning architecture and also to be enjoyed is the woodland walk. Access all Areas Monk Coniston, Coniston www.nationaltrust.org.uk A new public access route through part of the restored grounds and gardens of Monk Coniston is now open, reconnecting Tarn Hows with the home of its creator, opened in September 2007. Highlights of the walk include access to a new area not previously open to the public and a walled garden and exotic conifer collection.

Clockwise from top right: Levens Hall Muncaster Holker Festival Rydal Hall

Walk on the Wild Side Muncaster, Ravenglass www.muncaster.co.uk Between the Irish Sea and Hardknott Pass, Muncaster is located in one of Europe's most remote and dramatic landscapes. The wild setting of ancient woods and soaring mountains provides opportunities to explore the designated paths and walks. Try the awe-inspiring Wild Walk or the fascinating Sino-Himalayan Trail. All beneath the grandeur of Scafell Pike, England's tallest peak.

Why I love… “The Lakeland Horticultural Society’s garden at Holehird is inspiring. With a truly wonderful setting, the garden has been brilliantly cultivated by its members.”

Alan Titchmarsh Gardening broadcaster and writer

Cut Above the Rest Levens Hall & Gardens, Kendal www.levenshall.co.uk Springtime at Levens is the finest time to visit the world-famous, award-winning topiary gardens which were laid out in the 17th century. In the grounds and park of this 300 year old garden where the lawn reaches down to the river Kent, wild flowers add their subtle colour to the scene. Rural Restoration Rydal Hall, Ambleside www.rydalhall.org At the beginning of the 20th century the landscape architect, Thomas Mawson, was commissioned to create a series of Italianate terraces sweeping down from Rydal Hall. Restoration of these inspiring and tranquil gardens is currently underway. All stone work is now complete and development of the herbaceous borders, vegetable garden and landscaped grounds will also soon be finished. Winning Combination Holehird, Windermere www.holehirdgardens.org.uk The ten-acre hillside gardens at Holehird include a great variety of planting – specimen trees and shrubs, extensive rock and heather gardens, a walled garden, alpine houses and herbaceous borders. It was recently voted on BBC ‘Gardeners’ World’ to be one of the Nation’s Favourite Gardens – a fantastic accolade.

to find out more... golakes.co.uk/gardens 51

Events

Cumbria essentials

Flora of the Fells 2008 Until September www.floraofthefells.com If you want to know more about the variety of Cumbria’s natural plants look out for the Flora of the Fells Festival. This celebration of the county’s landscapes offers events and activities for everyone from March to September.

Here’s a small selection of where to find the best within the region. All accommodation within this guide has been inspected by either VisitBritain or the AA.

Carlisle and Borders Spring Flower Show 4th – 5th May Carlisle 01228 817359 A floral fiesta featuring artistic displays, a craft marquee, plant stalls, an engrossing countryside section and a wealth of gardening accessories to buy. Hutton-in-the-Forest Plant and Food Fair 18th May Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith www.hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk An explosion of colour and taste in a spectacular garden setting with specialist nurseries and Cumbrian food producers, displaying and selling their wonderful wares. Dalemain Plant and Food Fair 11th – 13th July Dalemain, nr. Penrith www.craftandfoodshows.co.uk Serving up a delicious platter full of quality food and crafts by artisan makers with exciting new additions for this year, including interactive and participatory craft demonstrations.

“Yew, box, holly, Holker Festival beech and hornbeam are all excellent candidates for topiary but don’t discount other shrubs and trees such as rosemary, bay, hawthorn, juniper and privet. Although most of the big topiary pieces at Levens are dark green English yew, I also use variegated yew, which brightens up the garden – especially in winter. I would also recommend a first clip after the first full flush of growth in late spring, and then a lighter clipping later in the year to allow the plant sufficient time to recover before the onset of frost.”

Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill Temple Sowerby 01768 361893 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Delightful garden renowned for its herb garden (planted with more than 250 medicinal and culinary herbs) and orchards; with superb tearoom and woodland walks.

Holker Hall & Gardens Cark-in-Cartmel 01539 558328 www.holker-hall.co.uk Award-winning house and gardens. 25 acres of gardens are part woodland, part formal and Victorian in character. 200-acre ‘natural’ parkland, arboretum and large walled kitchen garden.

Brantwood Coniston 01539 441396 www.brantwood.org.uk Former house of John Ruskin, situated overlooking Coniston Water. Explore Brantwood’s estate and gardens, experience contemporary art, browse the bookshop and indulge in Jumping Jenny’s restaurant.

Sizergh Castle Nr. Kendal 01539 560951 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Thousands of bulbs planted prior to Christmas will ensure superb spring colour in the Orchard, Kitchen and Rock Gardens, herbaceous border and the Hot Wall border.

Conishead Priory South of Ulverston 01229 584029 www.manjushri.org Be inspired by the Buddhist Temple and relax in the gardens of this romantic gothic mansion. Enjoy the conservatory café, shop and guided tour.

Wordsworth House Cockermouth 01900 820884 www.wordsworthhouse.org.uk William Wordsworth’s birthplace. Meet the servants in the working Georgian kitchen and explore the organic garden and famous terrace walk. Step back in time to life in 1770’s Cockermouth.

Chris Crowder Head Gardener, Levens Hall

top Flower Shows

tip

Holker Festival 30th May – 1st June Holker Hall, Cark-in-Cartmel www.holker.co.uk Now in its 15th year and firmly established as one of the UK’s leading shows, Holker Festival is nothing less than a magnificent celebration nestling in a glorious setting.

Lakeland Rose Festival 12th & 13th July Crooklands, nr. Kendal www.lakelandroseshow.co.uk One of the largest events of its type in the UK and a blooming lovely and simply unmissable event for rose lovers everywhere, featuring floral art, crafts, music and family entertainment.

Where to visit…

Hill Top Hawkshead, nr. Sawrey, 01539 436269 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated many of her children’s stories in this small 17th century farmhouse with traditional cottage garden.

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens Penrith 01768 486450 www.dalemain.com A country house with an extraordinary plantsman’s garden, home to Blue Himalayan Poppies, nearly 200 roses and glorious herbaceous borders. Graythwaite Hall Newby Bridge 01539 531333 www.graythwaitehall.co.uk A spring garden settled in a wooded valley, exhibiting an extensive collection of rhododendrons and azaleas and a great selection of hybrids and species.

Where to stay… Bessiestown Farm Country Guesthouse Catlowdy, nr. Carlisle 01228 577219 www.bessiestown.co.uk In the heart of Border Reiver country – a relaxing and refreshing base from which to explore some of the most beautiful countryside in Northern England. Boltongate Old Rectory Nr Ireby 016973 71647 www.boltongateoldrectory.com A listed property with spectacular views, just 20 minutes from Keswick and Cockermouth. Crowned England's Northwest B&B 2007 and won a silver at the national awards in 2008.

Fayrer Garden House Bowness-on-Windermere 01539 488195 www.fayrergarden.com Luxury hotel, with panoramic lake views, nestled in five acres of gardens and grounds in the heart of the beautiful English Lake District. Moresby Hall Moresby, Whitehaven 01946 696317 www.moresbyhall.co.uk A Grade I Listed building (circa 1620). Country guesthouse accommodation with many original features. Skelwith Fold Caravan Park Ambleside 01539 432277 www.skelwithfold.co.uk A woodland haven promising peace, tranquility and relaxation, with magnificent views of the Langdale Pikes. With 130 acres of unspoilt woodland – home to an abundance of wildlife.

Where to eat… L’Enclume Cartmel 01539 536362 www.lenclume-red.co.uk Michelin star restaurant, international reputation for exquisite food. Voted one of the five best destination restaurants with rooms in Europe. Low Sizergh Barn Sizergh, nr. Kendal 01539 560426 www.lowsizerghbarn.co.uk Organic farm, near Kendal, with a farmshop, tearoom, craft gallery and farm trail. The shop is filled with one of the best selections of local and speciality foods. Sharrow Bay Ullswater 01768 486301 www.sharrowbay.co.uk World famous hotel, Michelin star restaurant in a breathtaking setting on the shore of the beautiful Lake Ullswater in the Lake District.

Where to drink... The Drunken Duck Inn Barngates, Ambleside 01539 436347 www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk Wide oak flooring, old beams, an open fire, numerous pictures, leather club chairs and a beautiful local slate bar top. The Eagle and Child Staveley, nr. Kendal 01539 821320 www.eaglechildinn.co.uk CAMRA Westmorland Pub of the Year. Open fire, good pub food, local real ales and guest beers next to River Kent. Kirkstile Inn Loweswater 01900 85219 www.kirkstile.com Pleasant 16th-century inn. With low beamed rooms, welcoming open fires, good food and real ales.

Where to buy… Bank Mill Nurseries Silloth 01900 881340 www.bankmillnurseries.co.uk Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Solway Coast, has exotic plants and butterfly house. Cath’s Garden Plants Heaves Hotel, nr. Kendal 01539 552536 www.cathsgardenplants.co.uk Garden plants, shrubs, climbers, grasses and ferns. In the Walled Garden at the Heaves Hotel. Houghton Hall Garden Centre Houghton, Carlisle 01228 400610 The gardening department boasts a great range of tools, products, water features and garden furniture. Larch Cottage Nurseries Melkinthorpe, Penrith 01931 712404 www.larchcottagenurseries.com One of the most unique, renowned nurseries in Britain. Specialising in rare and unusual perennials, old fashioned roses, rare and dwarf conifer.

to find out more... golakes.co.uk/gardens 53

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