Wander through winter
Bring on
This November, there’s a terrific new addition to Dunham Massey’s country
estate: a seven-acre winter garden. Part of Dunham’s gardens since the early
the bamboo
20th century, the area had become overgrown by the time the Dunham
This year Cholmondeley Castle
estate was acquired by the National Trust in 1976. In 2007 a team led by
Gardens are bringing a little
head gardener Damian Harris cleared the area,
bit of China to Cheshire!
whilst keeping its existing woodland feel and,
Originally, brought from the
under guidance from leading plantsman Roy
Sichuan Province of China in 1889
Lancaster OBE, planted trees and shrubs chosen
when it was highly fashionable
for blossom, fruit, scent, autumn colour and
to show plants from other parts
bark interest. With character areas including a
of the world. Cholmondeley’s
Scented Walk, Cyclamen Grove, Bluebell
collection of bamboo has finally
Meadow and Camellia Walk, the new garden
reached the end of its life.
is set to provide visitors with a horticultural
treat from autumn through until spring – and
means that for the first time, Dunham Massey’s
gardens can be enjoyed 364 days a year
(closed Christmas Day).
Making light
work
It’s a busy year at Ness Botanic
Gardens. Not only is there a new
water feature this year: a 10m
waterfall into a clay pit known as
the Pingo, there’s also a ground-
breaking new light festival in
Climb to
December, called IllumiNESS. With
lights, music and dramatic visual
the top
displays to be shown throughout
Bamboos only flower once in

the award-winning 64-acre garden.
their lifetime, then they die,
The 18th century garden at
this may happen anytime after
The event will showcase
Quarry Bank Mill acquired by the
80-100 years. Anticipating this,
National Trust in 2006 continues
how art and technology can Cholmondeley has been busy
to go from strength to strength! combine to create a dazzling
removing the dying bamboos
This year sees a new dramatic
and replacing with new varieties
new experience of the
section of original 18th century
recommended and supplied
botanic garden.
path open to the public. The
by ‘Jungle Giants‘ of Craven
path ‘zig-zags’ up the valley side
It’s also ecologically friendly -
Arms, Shropshire, ensuring the
and offers visitors glorious views IllumiNESS favours solar-powered
art of Far Eastern gardening is
of the River Bollin, the mill itself lights and bio-fuelled generators -
fashionable once more! Come
and Quarry Bank House. Quarry and adding to the fun are
to Cholmondeley and see this
Bank’s visionary founder, Samuel Christmas market stalls and
interesting new gallery of
Greg, would have been proud!
seasonal refreshments.
bamboo for yourself.
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