5 of Cheshire’s Most Beautiful Gardens to Visit

An idyllic garden stroll can take your breath away and fill you with amazement. From delicate bluebells carpeting a woodland floor to beautiful water gardens, Cheshire boasts numerous gardens sure to delight all your senses.

Wear your wellies and take a welly walk! Splash in puddles, navigate mud pits and let your imagination run free as you explore nature on foot.

1. Cholmondeley Castle & Gardens

Cholmondeley Castle & Gardens provide an enjoyable day trip for families with plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. Wander around different themed gardens, see farm animals in their stables and paddocks, stroll along Deer Park Mere Nature Trail and visit Castle Chapel of St Nicholas for an enjoyable family outing!

Cheshire Castle Gardens have long been considered amongst the most romantic gardens in Britain. Created by Lavinia, Marchioness of Cholmondeley and 6th Marquess of Cholmondeley who created her garden of great romance using exotic trees, plants and flowers such as Rhododendrons and rare magnolias; alongside her Temple Water Garden Glade Arboretum Lavinia Walk double herbaceous bordered Lavinia Walk as well as ornamental woodland on Tower Hill are testaments to her legacy.

Explore the Walled Kitchen Garden, 100 year-old Japanese Garden and historic Glasshouses on the grounds. Winter brings beautiful carpets of snowdrops and daffodils as well as yellow witch hazel and purple callicarpa berries that create stunning displays in winter gardens.

Cholmondeley Zoo is loved by both children and adults, featuring African pygmy goats scaling the circular steps of Goat Tower, Shetland ponies, sheep, pigs and alpacas – not forgetting curious llamas and alpacas! Enjoy picnicking in its picturesque surroundings before visiting The Tea Room for lunch or afternoon tea – children will especially love The Den and there’s even log seating and a “Bug Hotel”. A short walk leads from there to stables/paddocks where you can meet farm animals! For an unforgettable family adventure book Cholmondeley Castle & Gardens Family Package Deal for discounted admission tickets!

2. Dunham Massey Gardens

Dunham Massey lies at the crossroads between Greater Manchester and rural Cheshire, providing 300 acres of parkland for all to enjoy, along with wild fallow deer herd, vibrant gardens, and an 18th-Century house – this National Trust estate provides something special for everyone.

Exploring the garden areas reveals herbaceous borders, wildflower meadow and two wildlife ponds adorned with pollinating flowers and stumpery – as well as well-stocked herb beds surrounding a greenhouse and cut flower borders in an orchard. Explore further by taking a woodland walk where you’ll encounter birch trees, elm trees, hornbeam trees and oak.

Stamford Hall’s historic house can be visited upon arrangement and showcases artworks, curiosities and rare pieces of furniture – perfect for an insightful tour!

Kids of all ages will delight in exploring the play areas dotted throughout the grounds. Small children will delight in climbing around Floor is Lava tree stump special Floor is Lava natural play area or exploring The Log Pile natural play area or taking an educational Tree Walk tour of ancient trees. Older kids may find excitement spotting free roaming deer roaming freely through parkland while exploring historic buildings as they learn history lessons first-hand.

National Trust estate offers seasonal trails and tailored events. Floral displays adorn the walls of its 300-year-old Georgian mansion house; Mill Tour (launching mid-June) gives an insight into its workings; when the weather turns nasty, rest in Orangery or book Nook for some respite or refreshments!

3. Grappenhall Heys Gardens

If you’re seeking some relaxation and escape, taking a stroll through a lush garden may be just what’s needed to achieve that effect. Plus it will likely spark your children’s imagination and take them on an amazing adventure through their imagination! Whether looking for rose gardens, botanical gardens or acres of parkland there is sure to be something suitable.

Thomas Parr (a wealthy Warrington banker) built these gardens around 1830; today they are open to the public. Situated on one acre, filled with plants and offering various areas to explore; wander through a wildflower meadow before entering the main garden with well-stocked herbaceous borders surrounding a traditional Cheshire farmhouse and following trails through vegetable gardens, shrubs, rose rambling roses and two wildlife ponds.

Visit the Winter Garden to take in its stunning displays of snowdrops and daffodils in full bloom, evergreen trees, purple Callicarpa berries providing a delightful splash of color, evergreens and evergreen bushes with seasonal scents – not forgetting its evergreen trees that provide shade in summer!

Garden Cafe serves delicious paninis and cakes; or bring your picnic hamper and relax under the sunshine.

If you want to visit the garden, be sure to visit their website for current opening times and admission prices. It is a family-friendly attraction offering plenty of activities suitable for all ages. Book a tour with staff members of the gardens; or learn about gardening with various classes available.

4. Ness Botanic Gardens

Ness Botanic Gardens were born from one man’s passion for plants and his desire to share his enthusiasm. Arthur Kilpin Bulley dreamed that Ness would become one of England’s premier botanical gardens; today this vision remains intact as visitors are invited to enjoy Ness’ stunning scenic areas and take in all it has to offer.

Gardens at Kew have been granted National Plant Collection status and offer a diverse collection of plants from across the world. Of particular note is their seven acre Winter Garden which showcases over 1,000 winter shrubs, trees and evergreens – as well as their display of Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias which make for an impressive display during spring or late autumn visits.

Wirral Gardens are situated on the outskirts of Wirral and nestled between woodland and Dee Estuary, boasting international recognition due to the extensive collections of exotic flora that thrive here.

At this tranquil, picturesque landscape you can wander, picnic or simply unwind and relax. Explore various themed areas from an arid-style Himalayan garden to impressively shaped lawns and parterres of the main house, not forgetting walking the Rock Walk; an idyllic half mile stretch of sandstone pathway offering magnificent views towards North Wales while taking in an abundance of ferns, wildflower meadows and an eye-catching rock garden!

The Gardens are open daily and admission prices vary depending on the time of year and type of visit, with RHS Members receiving free entry as well as additional benefits.

5. Port Sunlight

William Hesketh Lever designed Port Sunlight in 1888 for his soap factory workers as a model village and museum, full of beautiful parks, buildings and flowers. Guided walking tours take you around this picturesque model village from Wednesday-Sunday from its Museum. Explore Arts and Crafts cottages while learning its history at an award-winning museum; later head onward to admire architecture in Lady Lever Art Gallery to witness 19th-century decorative art before relaxing at Tudor Rose tea rooms or the cozy cafe!

Experience north Cheshire from this garden filled with shrubs, acers, heucheras, hollyhocks and rhododendrons. There’s a small woodland walk, koi pond, bog area and grasses; as well as benches to relax on throughout the year (incl. beach seating areas and benches on which you can sit during spring and summer. Watch for narcissus and tulips along with camellias and hellebores; camellias and hellebores may appear during spring. Additionally there’s an Himalayan Cedar; hornbeam hedge; fig tree, pair of handkerchief trees and an Judas Tree (open all year). Visits can be made By Appointment only and open for By Appointment visits only all year.

The museum offers free, interactive exhibitions that explore how the village was planned and designed as a ‘Liveable and Healthy Place’ for its workers, while showing how its composition has evolved over time. Visitors can see original soap packaging while discovering how its structure reflected local lives and habits; additionally there is also a collection of objects related to Ringo Starr’s first performance with The Beatles at this location in 1962.