Arley Hall Gardens

 

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 equipment are adjacent to The Grove.

The Herbaceous Border in July

This is all pleasant enough, but the formal gardens are the highlight. Though less wacky than Biddulph Grange, the two gardens provide a series of varied spaces, so that round each corner there tends to be something quite new.  The Herbaceous Border often features in pictures (as here), and is certainly grand, but for me it doesn't upstage the walled garden, and there are lots of other satisfying offerings, including a more-than-functional kitchen garden, and fine views of the red brick hall from the Furlong Walk that provides the backbone to the gardens.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 24 miles

Drive Time: 45 minutes.

Price: Gardens: $

Parking: Free.

Food and Drink: There is a substantial cafe, with a pleasant outdoor space. My cake was a bit lame.

Retail therapy: There is a nursery near the carpark, and a gift shop at the entrance to the gardens, selling jewellery, stationery and jigsaws.

Child Friendly: There is a rustic play park in the gardens.

Toilets: Yes - opposite the cafe.

Do it justice in: 2 hours.

Inside-Outside: 10:90

Location: Arley Hall & Gardens, Arley, Northwich CW9 6NA, UK

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