Visit Cholmondeley Castle Gardens & Bluebell Cottage Gardens | Day Tours

Itinerary

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

The beautiful romantic gothic style castle at Cholmondeley overlooks 50 acres of stunning ornamental gardens and 670 acres of historic parkland. Owned by David Cholmondeley, 7^th Marquess of Cholmondeley, the castle has been in the family since the 1200’s. The house is not open to the public, as the family reside there.

These award-winning gardens include a Rose Garden with over 250 roses, a celebrated 100 metres’ long double herbaceous border, Folly Garden, Temple Water Garden, orchid and wildflower meadows, an Arboretum with many rare trees, lakeside and woodland walks and a deer park.

Twenty minutes’ walk from the Tea Room is Cholmondeley’s historic Grade 1-listed private St. Nicholas Chapel. This includes a magnificent east-facing stained-glass window, many other lovely stained-glass windows, and interesting internal features and artefacts, including some dating back to medieval and Tudor times.

Bring you walking shoes and take care in the Castle Gardens as there are irregular ground levels and if it is wet certain areas can be very slippery.

Refreshments

The Café in the Gardens at Cholmondeley offers exceptional coffee and is a place to relax after enjoying the beautiful gardens. Many products are sourced locally, some organic and free range where possible. Food is freshly prepared and offers a delicious seasonal menu.

Accessibility

Follow this link and scroll down the page for information on accessibility in the grounds.

Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery

It is a few years since we last visited these beautiful gardens and nursery and it is the perfect break from the whirlwind of modern life. Sue Beesley, the owner, will take us on a 30-minute guided tour of her 2-acre garden. There have been many changes since our last visit, which we are really looking forward to seeing.

The garden wraps around Bluebell Cottage (Sue’s home), with winding paths enticing the visitor to explore its many different sections. From the nursery, you’ll enter the garden through the productive orchard, under-sown with a pretty wildflower meadow.

At the top of the garden, modern perennial planting draws the eye across wide border. Stop and peer through the hedge at the top of the garden to look for canal boats. The newly extended gravel garden is packed with bright, drought-resistant plants enjoying the sunshine. The large pond, nestling in the centre of the garden is informally planted and is a wildlife haven for frogs, newts and damselflies.

Through a little arch the exotic garden beckons, rich in late summer with bold foliage and bright colours. Beyond lies the cottage veg plot, neatly set out in smart box hedges. Finally, sit and enjoy the quiet, listen to the bird song and hide away for a while from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The Nursery

Rest assured, there will be room in the coach if you can’t resist a trip to The Nursery, which specialises in flowering perennials, stocking over 700 varieties, from old favourites like Lupins and Hostas to more unusual plants. If you need any help expert staff are on hand to advise. Most of the plants are propagated from their own stock plants in the gardens and nursery stock beds where you can see the parent plants at their mature size.

Refreshments

Tea or coffee with homemade cakes will be served in Sue’s chintzy tearoom to provide the perfect end to the day. This is included in the price.

Accessibility

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome in the gardens and nursery and both are on gentle slopes with no steps. Please click here for more information.

Travel arrangements

Departing Shrewsbury 09.30

Arriving Approxamently Shrewsbury 18.30

Exact timings for the trip will be confirmed 7-days before travel.

Booking your place

The cost for the day is £80 which includes return coach travel from your pick-up point, entry into both Cholmondeley Castle Gardens and Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery, with garden tour followed by tea and cake.

A non-refundable deposit of £20 per person is payable when booking. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens & Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery, Cheshire

Tour Information

Included in the cost:

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens & Bluebell Cottage Gardens

Itinerary

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

Refreshments

Accessibility

Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery

The Nursery

Refreshments

Accessibility

Travel arrangements

Booking your place