What's a Day Out without a visit to a National Trust property?
After finishing up at the Emma Bridgewater Factory, we took a short train ride to Biddulph Grange Garden.
James Bateman was a botanist and plant collector extraordinaire! He sponsored plant collecting trips to China and the east. He built the house and gardens to showcase his collection of rare and exotic plants.
So this is not a garden of 'flowers', but rather specimen plants and trees.
It is a large garden and divided up into different 'rooms.'
As you can see from the collage above, the garden has lots of structures - hedges, arches, statues and the like.
There is a sizeable pond with massive koi. The fish are so big they scare away the ducks.
We enjoyed wandering the winding paths through the garden.
The China Garden was a delightful surprise!
I'm not usually a big fan of this style of garden, but I confess to being charmed by this one. As all the plants are from China, the style of the garden 'rang true'.
After finishing up in the garden we took at train back to Stoke-on-Trent, and from there back to London. Tomorrow is my sister's last vacation day here. I wonder what she has planned?
I like Emma's designs and so pleased she is doing well and so nice you got o se her workplace. The gardens were different.
ReplyDeleteHoping to go to the Olympic. Park on Thursday.
Looking forward to seeing what your sister does today.
Hugs
Hazel
Amazing gardens!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such a nice picture of your family. That is too bad that your sister must depart already. Now I am quite interested to find out what you three do next.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! So how much longer do you have in England if your sister is leaving already?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day! I have to admit, I think those bushes look like muffins just popped out of the baking tin. Like the tops are burried in the ground. I must be in the mood for muffins. LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat pics! What a thrill to visit such a spectaculars place!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful garden.
ReplyDeleteHugs x
Oh, what a gorgeous place to visit! I love the idea of different 'rooms' in the garden.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! China Garden? Looks like Disneyland:) So pretty. love Annette
ReplyDeleteA beautiful garden. Did you see the upside down tree, the one with the roots sticking out of the ground?
ReplyDeleteI'm a little afraid of the massive koi too, so I don't blame the ducks. Heh. (They look like they would eat you in a second when they are as big as your thigh.)
ReplyDeleteLove the China Garden too. It's darling.