Hotels near Biddulph Grange

Biddulph Grange Garden was created by James Bateman in the mid 19th Century to display his extensive plant collection. Biddulph was turned into a hospital during the First World War and the garden fell into disrepair. It took the National Trust 10 years to fully restore the garden, and when you realise the advanced state of decay that the garden was in when they started, you appreciate what a remarkable achievement the restoration is.

The garden at Biddulph is a compartmental one, with a different theme in each, including a lake, rock garden, pinetum, Chinese garden, fernery and Egyptian garden.

The paths between some of gardens take you through tunnels so that the style of garden that greets you on the other side is a complete surprise. You enter a passageway in the Egyptian garden and leave via a Cheshire black and white house!

James Bateman planted dozens of redwoods in his Wellingtonia Avenue, but unfortunately, a subsequent owner cut them all down! The Trust replanted the redwoods in 1976/7, so we can look forward to seeing those achieve a dramatic height, although they won't fully mature until 2075.

The Grange itself is in private ownership and converted to apartments. The National Trust occupy an annexe on the side of the house which includes the former billiard room, used as an operating theatre during the war, and now a very pleasant tea room featuring an etched glass ceiling.

The tea room is accessible to disabled people and a small terrace offers a view across the gardens. The rest of the garden at Biddulph is on several levels with steps.

Little Moreton Hall is only a short distance away and well worth a visit. A joint ticket is available which offers a substantial saving on the entry cost.