Day Trips from Manchester

In Brief. Brodsworth Hall is a Victorian country house surrounded by gardens that were designed to impress, and do. The house was built in the 1860s, and much of the interior dates from the time of its construction, when money was plentiful. However, the gardens are the star turn, maintained to a very high standard, and providing variety around every turn. The immaculate formal gardens were quite a spectacle during my August visit. The formal fountain garden. What's here? Brodsworth Hall was built to replace an existing residence on the site in the 1860s, at the same time as the gardens were laid out. The hall itself, though substantial, has a somewhat understated exterior, approached by a sweeping drive and surrounded by lawns. The interior is more lavish, with grand spaces for entertaining, which can be contrasted with the more down-to-earth facilities of the servant's wing. The friendly guides were keen to share stories and history. View from the summer house. The gardens, ...

In Brief. This post refers to the National Trust managed Alderley Edge site, which is a mile to the east of the Cheshire town with the same name.  The site consists of a carpark that can be busy on sunny weekends, a series of short but varied walks, and a welcoming cafe to reward or prepare for exertions.  A portion of The Miner's Ramble. What's Here? The site consists of largely wooded countryside and some adjoining farmland, which has enough elevation to provide good views of the Cheshire plain. There are also periodic glimpses of mine workings, either open cast or entrances to tunnels. The National Trust has laid out five walks, which vary a bit in length, each of which can be done in a fairly leisurely manner in under an hour.  The walks are colour coded and signed, and I have done several in recent times without missing a signpost, which indicates that the signing must be pretty clear! A view from The Edge. A map in the carpark can be photographed to support navigat...

  In Brief.  Arley Hall is a country house and garden, though the hall is only occasionally open, so for most visitors this is just the garden. The garden includes a large and varied formal area, including a walled garden, as well as a woodland walk. Both of these provide pleasing vistas and places to sit, and the cafe also has outdoor seating with views of the house. The pleached lime avenue at the entrance to Arley Hall. What's here? Arley Hall , was built in the early to mid 19th Century, and is the family home of Viscount Ashbrook. The gardens were created at the same time as the hall, though of course there have been developments over the years, and the estate has been in the same family for much longer. For example, there is a barn dating from around 1470. The gardens are in two parts. The Grove, passes behind the hall and past The Chapel, and consists of a varied woodland garden, with shrubs and trees, for a relaxing wander.  A picnic area and the outdoor play equ...