SUMMER VISIT - 26th MAY 2012
BIDDULPH GRANGE and LITTLE MORETON HALL
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Five members set off to visit the fairly recently restored
gardens; the most recent major work finishing in
2011. Despite one of the greyest summers on record we had continous blue skies and warm sunshine all day We had planned an unusually early "summer" visit and this meant that the rhodendrons and azalias, for which the original garden planted by James Batement is famous, were in full bloom. He moved to Biddulph Grange around 1840. |
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The garden is divided
into many contrasting areas each hidden from the other and accessed
through a veritable maze of paths - we found the provided map
essential in order to find all the gardens... and the way out! We were too early to admire the Dahlia Walk in it's summer glory but could still apprerciate the immense effort that had gone into its restoration by the National Trust who took it over in 1988. The walk had been filled in when the house was used as a hospital. The stumpery, one of the innovations of the original garden, looked magnificent. Sensitive maintenance is vital to keep it looking at its best - wild but not overgrown. |
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"China" came as a bit of a surprise,
hidden in a dell accessed through a glen by a
small path and steps or by a dark tunnel. The garden has many eastern
exotic plants and
has features that are typically Chinese: an ornate wooden
bridge, a mini Great Wall of China, and a temple with a gilded
water buffalo. Beyond the roomed garden, the Woodland Walk which had been laid out just before the 2011 season was very peaceful |
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The path meandering through the glen towards "China" |
| We left Biddulph in mid-afternoon to visit Little Moreton Hall. After a talk in the courtyard we were free to wander around this fascinating house. |  |
A
walk through the knot garden led through a gap in the tall hedge to a
tranquil river-side and then back to the side garden with its tables
and chairs. With the sun still shining who could blame us for indulging in the tea and cakes! |
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