Cholmondeley Castle Garden

These romantically-planted pleasure gardens are dominated by the Gothic hill-top Cholmondeley castle (not open to the public).

Although the Cholmondeley family has lived here for 800 years the sandstone castle was not constructed until 1801. An ancient private chapel stands in the park.

The gardens are imaginatively set out with beautiful water gardens and magnificent trees.

The garden provides colour and interest throughout the year, beginning with a marvellous display of bulbs in the spring. These are followed by rhododendrons, azaleas, camelias and magnolias, which have been extensively replanted since the 1960s.

In the summer the double herbaceous borders, mixed borders and rose garden are a blaze of colour.

On hot days the Temple Garden, with its two ornamental bridges, provides a cool, shady spot to rest and admire the Koi carp.

The terrace below the castle was planted to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

There is also a lakeside picnic area, a children's play area and in the paddocks there are rare breeds of farm animals including llamas.