The Gardens of Cheshire by Annie Bullen

The North West of England, with the busy cities and towns of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Stockport, might seem worlds away from peaceful parkland and beautiful gardens. But Cheshire, with all this industry, has some of our loveliest gardens and historic parkland.This year sees the county embark on a 12-month celebration of 21 of its best gardens. We’ve picked out nine, worth a visit on their own or as part of a gardeners’ weekend away.

I can’t remember now why Mr Darcy (Colin Firth) dived into the lake in the 1995 film of Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen might have found this liberty with her story shocking, but millions of viewers enjoyed the scene, which was filmed at Lyme Park in Disley, near Stockport.  The mansion, Tudor with wonderful Georgian interiors, is surrounded by sweeping parkland, a peaceful Victorian garden with roses, a sunken parterre – and the famous lake.
Contact: 01663 762023.   www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A few miles to the south of Lyme Park is Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, once home to Mary Fitton, thought by some to be Shakespeare’s ‘Dark Lady’. The grounds of this black-and-white timbered manor house are formal, with rhododendron-fringed lakes, rose beds, a fountain and a sunken lawn surrounded by mixed beds. A clipped yew hedge is the backdrop for more lawn and herbaceous borders.
Contact: 01260 223456. 

One of the most famous plantings in the country is the superb herbaceous border at Arley Hall at Northwich. The long border, more than 150 years old and framed by clipped yew buttresses and a broad grass walk, is designed to give pleasure from June to September. From the soft, blue, yellow and silver of the early season to the increasingly strong colours of mid-summer and autumn, the bed is spectacular for months. There’s also a walled kitchen with a vinery.
Contact: 01565 777353.

Fine architectural features are the hallmark of Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield, with its three lakes, parkland, arboretum and formal lakeside garden, designed by Vernon Russell-Smith in the 1960s. Capesthorne Hall and Gardens, Macclesfield
Contact: 01625 861221.

Those who love trees should visit the arboretum begun in 1972 against the backdrop of the great radio telescope at Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield. The NCCPG national collections of crab apples and rowans are held here; there are beds of roses and azaleas, and a recent orchard concentrates on local varieties of apple.
Contact: 01477 571339.

Although the great formal garden laid out by George Loudon in 1690 at Cholmondeley Castle, Nantwich, has long disappeared, visitors today can enjoy the most spectacular views from this hillside idyll. From sheets of bulbs in the spring, to wonderful acid-loving trees and shrubs, rose and temple gardens, water gardens and waterfalls surrounded by ferns, there’s plenty of interest in this historic castle.
Contact: 01829 720383.

New kid on the gardening block is the restoration of Samuel Greg’s Quarry Bank Garden on the estate owned by the National Trust at Styal, Wilmslow. This ‘secret’ valley garden was created in the fashionable 18th-century picturesque style, with a riverside walk, follies and beautiful views.
Contact: 01625 527468.  www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The 30-acre woodland garden of Norton Priory, near Runcorn, surrounds the remains of a 12th-century Augustinian priory. The stream glade is pretty and romantic, while the walled garden contains interesting fruit, including the NCCPG national collection of quinces. Interesting designs and great variety makes a visit here worthwhile for anyone interested in plants.
Contact: 01928 569895.

Of great note historically and horticulturally are the Ness Botanic Gardens, at Ness, Wirral, started more than a century ago by Arthur Bulley, cotton broker and plant collector. Bulley engaged George Forrest, who became one of the best-known plant hunters to collect seed and young plants mainly from India and China. These gardens are worth visiting during any season.
Contact: 0151 353 0123.

For information about the Cheshire Gardens Festival visit www.yearofgardens08.com