Trail 2
This 35-mile trail takes you to three garden jewels in
Cheshire’s heartlands, with a night spent at the county’s
best-known beauty spot, Alderley Edge.
Start your journey at Gawsworth Hall, a black-and-

white Manor house from the 15th century, making sure
you look at the ancient interior with its collection of
armour, and the oldest part of the house - its historic
chapel. Refresh yourselves at Gawsworth’s café, then
T

rail 3
stroll through its gardens, including the Rose Garden,
which hosts theatrical productions in summer.
Based around the historic city of Chester this tour leads
you through a selection of Cheshire’s finest
Around ten minutes away is the Cheshire Smokehouse
green-fingered attractions!
in Morley Green, a remarkable food shop that smokes
everything from nuts to fish and meat. Stop and have
Start at Ness Botanic Gardens in South Wirral. Enjoy its
a snack in its café, before moving onto Lyme Park, an
vivid ornamental gardens looking over the mountains
exquisite Italianate palace, that stands in a deer park
of North Wales and the River Dee, then go to the
with acres of moorland and woodland estate to explore.
impressive Horsfall Rushby Visitor Centre, opened in
Don’t forget to visit the house, with its inspirational
2006, and enjoy locally sourced refreshments in the café.
collections of tapestries, wood carvings and clocks. Then
A few minutes away is lunch at Julian’s Restaurant in
go to Alderley Edge and take a bracing walk along the
Hoylake, where you can try such Cheshire delicacies
dramatic red sandstone escarpment, enjoying the views
as pheasant bought direct from local gamekeepers in
across Cheshire towards the Peak District and the area’s
season. While here nip to Claremont Farm in Bebington
oak and beech woodlands.
to buy provisions:- including apples, asparagus and
Just a few minutes away at the bottom of the hill is the
some famous Cheshire cheese.
pretty village of Alderley Edge. Have a walk around the
Then it’ll take about half an hour to get to Chester
village, famous for its boutiques and footballers’ homes,
Zoological Gardens, which has a fantastic collection
then check in to the Alderley Edge Hotel, a Neo-Gothic
of animals and one of the county’s most extraordinary
style house built in 1850 as a bolthole for a Manchester
gardens, created in 1931 by Cheshire collector George
industrialist. Relax, overlooking the Cheshire Plain and
Mottershead. Don’t miss the new outdoor walk-through
its flower-filled garden, before enjoying dinner in the
bird aviary, the Tsavo National Park Bird Safari and enjoy
Alderley Edge Restaurant in the hotel’s conservatory.
the new butterfly garden officially opened in 2009.
In the morning, it’s a few miles to Capesthorne Hall, a
By this time, you’ll have earned a rest. It’s a few
dramatic, turreted mansion. Take a walk in its gardens,
miles to the Chester Grosvenor and Spa, a fabulous
beloved of wedding parties with its rose arbour,
refurbishment of a Grade II Listed building with turrets,
rhododendron woods and arboretum. Then visit the
arcades and a black-and-white timbered façade in the
18th-century house, lived in for generations by the
heart of the ancient city. Eat at the Michelin-starred
Bromley-Davenport family and with a great collection of
restaurant, Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor, and
art and furniture, and a lovely small theatre, where the
perhaps try game from one of Cheshire’s rich estates.
family host dramatic productions.
After a restful night and spa treatment, set out in the
morning for the 30 minute journey to Norton Priory

Museum & Gardens on the outskirts of Runcorn. Walk
through the lovely 12th century ruins of the old priory,
then set off into the priory’s gardens, enjoying mature
woodland, the sculpture trail, the Georgian walled garden
and a herb garden of the type that the monks would
have tended. Remember to have a look at Norton Priory’s
national collection of 20 different varieties of quince, a
fruit that was extremely popular in Tudor times - and
perhaps buy some quince jelly for the larder at home.
Please check www.cheshiresgardens.com for all
garden opening times. For hotel offers please see the
Sleep Tight section on page 46.
Discover more at cheshiresgardens.com 19
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