Sunday was the most glorious day to say it was only 2nd of February! After all the gloomy, wet weather we'd had over the last week it was a real treat to get out and about. We decided to visit Biddulph Grange Gardens, our nearest National Trust property and have a walk round.
I know I've taken you here many times on this blog over the years and we've visited in all seasons but I'd never been at this time of year.
There were quite a few changes to notice on this visit, not least the new entrance and reception area which I didn't photograph. The cafe has been extended into the former reception area next to the shop.
What struck me was how tidy the gardens were. All the hedges neatly cut and the beds dug and mulched ready for planting.
There were many gardeners hard at work whilst we were there. I'm guessing that most are volunteers.
The upturned root walks were still there
As was the Chinese Garden
which always looks beautiful in any weather but somehow glints and glistens in the brightness of the sun.
I always tap the little bells as I go along
Inside the tunnel the path through to the ice house had been opened up but I didn't go round as there was quite a deep puddle and I didn't want to get my feet wet. We'd left the wellies in the car!
There is also a new area opened up across the little bridge
The monkey puzzle trees looked wonderful in the sunlight with the blue sky behind them
I always like this little house and it was great to find out that the room upstairs was open with a photographic exhibition about the house as it was before the fire of 1896 destroyed quite a lot of it.
We walked for an hour or so, there weren't many other visitors with it being so early in the season.
It was just so nice to get out walking in the fresh air, to see the sun and to find some of these.......
Since our visit we've had vast amounts of rain and howling wind but nothing near as bad as those of you who live further south - it sometimes feels as if one day this island will become almost completely inundated and float away or most certainly change shape as it did many thousands of years ago or does that seem quite fanciful? Anyway to the moving more and eating less - still operating portion control and we've managed three walks this week around the rain. A walk at Consall Country Park, a walk around the lake at Trentham Gardens and this one around Biddulph Grange. I keep saying as soon as the weather improves I'm sure we'll walk more ........ eventually!
I have never been to Biddulph Grange, but have wanted to for a long time, so it is lovely to see your pictures and to know that it is really well worth a visit - at any time of year it seems! Everything looks very pretty and I love the little house and Chinese pavilion! Good on you for keeping up the eating less and moving more. xx
ReplyDeleteIt is well worth a visit Amy as there is always so much to see at all times of the year - they seem to have extended their opening hours this year too as they always used to close Monday and Tuesday. The Chinese garden is wonderful and usually quite busy - we had it to ourselves whilst we were there:)
DeleteThank you for the tour of the gardens at Biddulph Grange. It's good to see these large gardens during different seasons. The work to maintain them and even open up new corners for visitors to explore is always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou could see that lots of maintenance and preparation work had been going on as eveerything was neat and tidy. The volunteers work really hard in the gardens (and elsewhere) and I expect doing so at this time of year pays off later when the gardens look so wonderful:)
DeleteWent to Biddulph years ago - lovely to see your photos. Lucky to visit on a sunny day in Feb! Snowdrops are so cheerful, aren't they? The gardens certainly look very tidy. Abby
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of changes and new corners of the garden opened and it keeps it fresh for visitors - everytime we go we look for new additions and things that have changed and improved:)
DeleteEverything does look very neat and well maintained there, quite an achievement at this time of year and in this weather!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the coastline changing in the storms. I imagine if a map of today was compared to one of just a couple of years ago some differences would be obvious.
I'm sure the coastal maps will have changed as there is so much erosion which is quite natural as well as that caused by the weathers patterns we've been experiencing over the last few years. The garden was looking very neat and tidy:)
DeleteI'm glad you got a chance to get out in the fresh air Rosie, there have been too few opportunities. And even fewer to get the garden in good order! Keep warm and dry, this coming weekend may be rather different. :(
ReplyDeleteYou too stay safe and warm, Jessica, in this weather I'm afraid the garden gets neglected as it is so wet and soggy nothing can be done - unlike Biddulph Grange where the gardeners seem to be well under way with their preparations for the coming season:)
DeleteI've never visited here - it's now on the list xxx
ReplyDeleteYou'd like it Diane and Little Moreton is not far away either - a nice day's visit if you are over this way:)
DeleteThanks for sharing your outing Rosie! How apt to visit the garden during the weekend of Chinese New Year and see the lovely Chinese garden. I would have been tempted to ring those bells too! The snowdrops are a welcome sight. Mine have come up blind this year, it is either that or the rain has washed the bulbs away! I really have had enough or this dreary weather but visiting blogs like yours helps to lift my spirits. x
ReplyDeleteI've noticed in one or two places that the snowdrops don't seem to be as thick in clumps as they usually are. As you say it must be the weather - I expect some of the bulbs are rotting in the wet ground it is such a shame:)
DeleteI almost went to BGG on Sunday as I've been wanting to see the recent changes, but we decided against it as we had jobs to do and well, we were feeling a bit lazy to be honest. It looks like your visit was well worth it and I really must go soon. We are going next Friday evening for a lantern walk, but we need a proper visit too.
ReplyDeleteI am in great need of exercise as my trousers are all tight at the moment - I'm trying to reduce portions but failing at exercise as I'm working full time and weekends always seem to be swallowed by washing and shopping and such at the moment. I need to try harder!
I don't mind the rain but I don't like all the wind we've had and I'm feeling really sorry for the farmers and wondering if food prices will rise again as they can't plough and sow fields so waterlogged. Dave and I were discussing the weather whilst we cooked earlier and wondered if we were going to have a hot dry summer this year after such a wet winter - as in the reverse of two years ago when we went from drought in winter/spring to floods in summer/autumn!
I hope you enjoy the lantern walk it sounds great! I notice that Attingham are doing a lantern lit snowdrop walk too - must be a new thing across NT properties. I think it is easier to achieve the eating less that it is to achieve the exercise at the moment in this weather - trouble is if I have to stay in too long I get bored and if I'm bored I tend to nibble at things:)
DeleteIs that England in your first pictures?!
ReplyDeleteIf I hadn't read your post, I'd have thought about somewhere exoctic, like Spain :)
Enjoy your blue sky...it seems like we've forgotten that colour :/
xxx
I wish I was in Spain, Michela it would be nice to get away from this awful weather - we were very lucky to have the sun and blue sky for a day last week:)
DeleteThis looks like a really nice place for a short visit - there seem to be plenty of gardens for you to visit around where you live - and how nice to be able to do it in winter when there aren't too many visitors - a winter garden gives you a totally different view doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very interesting and historic garden, Elaine. We are lucky to have one or two gardens nearby to visit at different times of year and there is something special about winter gardens:)
DeleteLove your post here, and the snow drops. It has been very wet where I am, even my snowdrops have wet feet. Enjoy your break, look forward to you coming back.
ReplyDeleteThanks. A lot of our plants are waterlogged and the lawns are squelching. I won't be away for long just need a little break. Hope you are staying warm and dry in all this horrendous weather:)
DeleteFabulous post- love the photos too, trying desperately to catch up with reading posts- and so glad i read yours- I must join the NT when i get back and visit all these lovely places:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda. We enjoy being members of the NT as it means we can visit and re-visit so many lovely local places - it's always useful on holidays too:)
Deletewonderful shots and it was a lovely respite to take a tour with you... I am longing for the NT properties to open near me again. I am tired of all the RAIN and WATER. Thanks for visiting. We love the snowdrops in your most recent post. Have a good break. Lovely to to visit you, Helen, Darcy, Bingley xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you - how lovely to see you here Helen, Darcy and Bingley - at the moment I can't imagine Spring being here and all the NT properties open again but it will happen soon I'm sure:)
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