Recommended garden of the month by Chris Beardshaw….

10th June 2011

The gardens at Cholmondeley Castle actually predate the castle – as records show that the 1^st Earl of Cholmondeley aided by George London, who some may know designed parts of Hampton Court Palace Gardens, laid out gardens featuring a kitchen garden, orchards and formal pleasure gardens.  The castle followed later at the beginning of the 19^th Century and was requested to be a romantic gothic home. 

There are now many layers to the gardens as is so often the case with historical sites, reflecting the passing of time, the different owners and their style and the designers they employed.  The result are grounds totaling 5,000 acres with two lakes, a Rose Garden, the Temple Garden, Terrace and Lily pond garden, a private chapel along with nature trails, woodland gardens and an area for farm animals for those who wish to explore beyond the gardens proper. 

At many points as you wander the gardens and parkland your eye sweeps back up the lawns to view the impressive Castle. The Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley lives at the Castle and together with her late husband spent the latter half of last century restoring and developing the gardens and she opens them to the public for half a week from April-September. 

There are also many special events at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens such as this month’s ‘Autumn Tints’ days which take place on the final three Sunday’s of October (16th, 23rd, 30th October).  I can think of no better way to spend a relaxing Sunday than to take in the beautiful autumn colours as trees and shrubs turn their mix of golden yellows, reds and browns. Be sure to get across to enjoy them before winter takes hold.