Biddulph Grange Gardens.

As the title suggests we visited the NT gardens at Biddulph Grange.  They are considered a Victorian masterpiece, created in the mid-19th century by John Bateman on the slope of Biddulph Valley.  Formerly a farm hence the name Grange.  He collected plants brought from all over the world.  

The blip is of the Chinese section of the garden, Bateman created many "rooms" within the garden, one of the most remarkable is the "Stumpery" This was the first created anywhere and forms an excellent habitat for ferns.  There are various buildings round the gardens e.g. the Cheshire house, watch tower etc.  The avenue of Wellingtonia is impressive.

We chose exactly the right time to visit as the Rhododendrons and Azaleas were ablaze with colour at almost every turn.  The tunnels linking parts of the garden and use of rock features and walls added interest.  Not for the faint hearted there are 400 steps in the garden, some of which you will go both ways on.