A yellow rose in the foreground with the Dunham Massey house in the background — Rosa 'Stamford's Sanctuary' at Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester | © Dave Jones

Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Manchester

From the woodland garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West keeps colour and interest in the gardens throughout the year.

Top gardens in Cheshire and Manchester

Hare Hill, Macclesfield

Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Walled Garden, or take a seat to listen to birdsong in the Wooded Garden. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, little legs will find Hare Hill an ideal place to let their imaginations go wild and a safe spot to roam.

Visitors exploring the garden in June at Quarry Bank, Cheshire

Lyme, Stockport

Explore all the different areas of the garden at Lyme. Appreciate the changing colours of the garden with the wild moors and parkland beyond.

Dunham Massey, Altrincham

Summer is a celebration of colour and contrast at Dunham Massey. During the warmer months, the garden comes alive with layered planting and fresh foliage. Paths are lined with emerging blooms, and each week reveals something new.

A border of red roses at Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester

Quarry Bank, Wilmslow

Wander through the dramatic valley garden, stroll by the river and tune into the sights and sounds of the season as you explore this rare retreat where nature and industry collide.

Tatton Park, Knutsford

See how the garden has evolved with each owner and their chosen landscape architect. View the Japanese Garden from its perimeter and walk through the Fernery and Kitchen Garden.

Pink flowers next to a path in the Kitchen Garden at Tatton Park, Cheshire.

Little Moreton Hall, Congleton

Though the garden is small there is plenty to see. A fine selection of native flowers as well as early introductions from the continent grow here. The Elizabethan-style knot garden has been a much-loved feature of the hall for 50 years.

Gardens in Liverpool and Lancashire

To gardens filled with history and colour at Speke Hall, to a peaceful garden with canal walks at Rufford Old Hall, discover gardens to explore in spring.

Colourful rhododendrons in the garden in June at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Summer garden highlights

From roses to rhododendrons, Cheshire’s National Trust gardens are full of vibrant colour and scents throughout summer. Here are just some of the things to look out for.

Rose Garden at Dunham Massey

Find hundreds of varieties of rose at Dunham Massey, including Rosa ‘Stamford’s sanctuary’, named after Dunham’s role as a military hospital during the First World War.

An arch full of colourful roses at Dunham Massey

The Orangery at Lyme

The Grade-II listed Orangery at Lyme is a year-round oasis. Step inside to discover a place full of tropical plants from across the world.

Two adults, one holding a baby, walk inside the Orangery surrounded by plants at Lyme Park, Cheshire

Rhododendrons at Hare Hill

Find colourful rhododendrons at Hare Hill, including some rare hybrids. The highly scented ‘Polar Bear’ is a firm favourite of our gardeners – you may be able to catch its scent in a summer breeze.

Kitchen Garden at Tatton Park

Tatton Park’s vegetable garden is bountiful in the summer months. Crops of onions, lettuce, beetroots, broad beans, peas, potatoes, cabbages and rhubarb are made into delicious soups, tarts, stews and sweet treats in the restaurant.

Parks and estates in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

The deer park at Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey's deer park is an historic parkland and naturally spacious place to visit. Walk along the leafy avenues and admire the far-reaching views while getting a breath of fresh air.

The estate at Lyme

There's over 1,400 acres of historic parkland to explore at Lyme in winter. Discover thriving wildlife during your walk into nature, and seek out the follies for some of the best views over Cheshire.

Stag with Manchester in the background, at Lyme, Cheshire

The estate at Tatton Park

With 1,000 acres of parkland, there’s plenty to do on the Tatton Park estate. See the variety of wildlife or practise a range of outdoor activities.

Walker on the Field to Fork Trail, Heading to Board 3, Tatton Park, Cheshire

Discover the woodland at Quarry Bank

Pull on your walking boots and stride out on a walk through the 400-acre estate. Follow the river through woodland to discover a historic landscape, bursting with wildlife.