National Trust Biddulph Grange really does have the most extraordinary gardens. You can meander along long, wide paths, tiptoe through dark tunnels, tread carefully over rockery stepping stones, listen to little, trickling streams, and explore one of the largest stumperies in Britain.
Explore different countries including China and Ancient Egypt. China has just had lots of restoration work on it including restoring the gorgeous, decorative Chinese bridge and building a lovely, colourful Chinese lookout house at the top of a raised part of the gardens.
Biddulph Grange is one of our favourite local National Trust sites. Not far from Congleton, the beautifully landscaped gardens are in the grounds of a historic Victorian Mansion which used to be a hospital in the 1920s. In 1988 the National Trust took ownership of the property and its gardens, which have now been nearly fully restored, including a long work digging out the Dahlia Walk area archaeology-style to find forgotten features.
We visited during April where the flower beds were full of multicoloured tulips and daffodils lined the paths. If you visit in May you will be amazed by the Rhododendrons and in the summer the deep boards of the Dahlia walk are in full bloom.
As with all the National Trust sites, Biddulph puts on extra activities on during the school holidays. They had done a lovely Easter trail around the garden. Creating boards to find which had challenged to complete including welly throwing and planting a Sunflower seed.
Hidden in the garden is a woodland assault course which is an extra attraction for when your visiting with children. There are stepping stones, balance beams, a seesaw, wobbly bridges and just general things to clamber on.
A small part of the house is used as a cafe, toilets, and a brand new second hand book shop. But the rest is off limits to all but residents. The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating and served the usual light lunches, cakes and drinks. The outdoor tables are in a very pretty setting right by the Mansion so is a lovely place to sit after your walk with a drink or ice cream.
On your way back to the entrance if you turn right before the shop you will find the kitchen garden. This is an allotment type garden with vegetables and herbs growing it in.
By the entrance you will also spot a area of grassy area full of picnic tables. Biddulph don’t encourage picnics inside the gardens but here is perfect to eat your own picnic before or after your visit.
Disabled Access
Please note that some areas of the garden are only accessible up quite steep and potentially slippery stone paths. Wheelchair users and anyone unsteady on their feet may have to give these areas a miss.
Walking around Biddulph is a lovely way to spend a few hours at any time of year. I always find that on each visit I see something different.
