The days are getting longer, the weather is definitely warmer – it can only mean one thing… it’s time to get outside and admire the dozens of local gardens open to the public.
Spring is definitely in the air and although some of you dedicated gardeners have been toiling through the winter months, for many of us now is the time to get back outdoors. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own green-fingered endeavours or just fancy a day out to be impressed and inspired – the Shire patch is packed with glorious gardens for the public to enjoy. While a few of them have kept the visitors coming through the chilly season with snowdrop walks and other winter wonders, for most the gates are just creaking open to launch into the new season. We’ve tried to put together a full list of what is worth seeing where, but we’re bound to have missed a few, and we think there is something for everyone in the following list of the area’s finest outdoor displays.
Gardens to visit in Cheshire
Abbeywood Gardens near Northwich in Cheshire
Since 1987, The Rowlinson family have lived at Abbeywood and made many improvements and additions to the gardens.
Adlington Hall and Gardens, near Macclesfield
Home to the same family for over 600 years, Adlington Hall and Garden is situated in the heart of Cheshire
Arley Hall & Garden, near Northwich
The gardens at Arley Hall date from the 1700s.
Bluebell Cottage Garden, near Dutton
This quiet and well-hidden two-acre garden is packed with plants and rich in wildlife.
Capesthorne Hall Garden
Surrounding the stunning hall of the same name, The Capesthorne Garden features woodland, parkland, and lakes.
Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, near Malpas
Cholmondeley Castle is one of Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction.
Dunham Massey Garden
Lovely parklands and formal gardens surround the early Georgian House at Dunham Massey.
Hare Hill Gardens, near Macclesfield
This is a delightful 10-acre woodland garden with azaleas, rhododendrons and a historic walled garden at its heart.
Lyme Park Gardens near Stockport
Famous for its deer herd, the park and gardens at Lyme Park are set on the foot of the Pennine Hills.
Ness Botanic Gardens, Wirral
Ness Botanic Gardens was lovingly created by a cotton merchant and is now one of the finest gardens in the North
Norton Priory and Gardens, Runcorn
Packed with nature and wildlife, Norton Priory has a great garden.
Rode Hall & Gardens
A Repton garden landscape surrounds the eighteenth century house containing fine portraits, furniture and porcelain.
Stonyford Cottage Gardens, Cuddington
The gardens are family owned and were created from a wetland area around a tranquil lake in a sheltered valley on the edge of Delamere Forest.
Tatton Park Gardens
Covering over 50-acres, much of the gardens were designed by Lewis Wyatt in the 1800s and are a home to the annual RHS show.
The Lovell Quinta Arboretum
The 28-acre arboretum at The Quinta was created by Sir Bernard Lovell.
Gardens to visit in Shropshire
Dorothy Clive Garden, near Market Drayton
An intimate and informal with lovely views over the Shropshire hills
Dudmaston House and Garden
Dudmaston has delightful gardens which are a mass of colour in the spring.
Hodnet Hall Gardens
60 acres of woodland with collections of magnolias, camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons and great for early spring displays including bluebells.
The Dower House Garden
A 1.5-acre site within the grounds of Morville Hall, near Bridgnorth in Shropshire.
Weston Park Garden
A great example of an 18th century landscape garden where Capability Brown once worked.
Wollerton Old Hall Garden, Market Drayton
Wollerton Old Hall Garden has a long and colourful history.
Gardens to visit in North Wales
Plas Newydd Garden, Anglesey
Based on a Henry Repton design, the garden is situated above the Menai Straits with lovely views of Snowdonia.
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Perched above the River Conwy, this stunning garden has views across the valley to the Snowdonia National Park.
Bodysgallen Hall Garden, near Llandudno
The gardens are not only completely stunning but are truly historic.
Erddig House and Gardens, near Wrexham
A unique family home with truly great gardens.
Penrhyn Castle Gardens, Gwynedd
The castle gardens are set against the backdrop of the Menai Strait and Snowdonia.
Plas Brondanw Garden, Gwynedd
This Edwardian garden was created by Sir Clough William-Ellis and has magnificent views of the mountains.
Plas-yn-Rhiw Gardens, Gwynedd
This pretty one-acre garden nestles at the foot of Mynydd Rhiw Mountain.
Portmeirion Gardens
Exploiting the very mild climate at Portmeirion has allowed plantings of tender exotic genera and species in common with many Cornish gardens.
Bodrhyddan Garden, near Rhuddlan
Gorgeous gardens at the home of the Conwy family since the early 15th century.
Gregynog Garden, in Powys
More than just fine gardens to visit, Gregynog has always been renowned for its links with music, the arts and hospitality.
Powis Castle and Garden
This famous 17th century garden at Powis Castle was based on designs from William Winde.
The Dingle Garden, Powys
Part formal and part woodland with its own lake and a stunning yet serene place to visit.
Chirk Castle Gardens, near Wrexham
The gardens at Chirk Castle were created from William Emes' designs from the 18th century.
The Garden House, Wrexham
Five acres of garden at overlooking the Welsh river Dee on the Welsh/Shropshire border.
