A man and a woman sat on a bench facing away from the camera. They are sat underneath white blossom trees. The red brick Georgian house of Dunham Massey can be seen in the background. A brick canal wall surrounded by green flowers can be seen in the foreground. — Blossom at Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester | © Paul Harris

Gardens and parks in Cheshire and Greater Manchester

From the glorious garden at Dunham Massey to the industrial garden landscape at Quarry Bank, this corner of the North West is full of colourful blooms throughout spring.

The appearance of blossom is a sure sign that spring has arrived. There are many different varieties to spot wherever you are. Discover the National Trust places near you where you can see spring blossom and share your pictures on social media using the hashtag #BlossomWatch to spread the joy of spring.

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Manchester City Centre

Greater Manchester is bloomin' beautiful this spring. Discover your very own Bloomtown using our map of the blossom hotspots on your doorstep.

A visitor admiring blossom in the orchard at Quarry Bank, Cheshire

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Quarry Bank

Discover the unexpected blossom at every turn in the gardens and woodland of Quarry Bank, or visit the Apprentice House to relax in the plum and apple orchard. Keep an eye out for the ‘Withington Welter’, a variety of apple discovered in the garden in the nearby Styal village and propagated by Quarry Bank’s gardeners.

Bumblebee pollinating the cherry blossoms at Stowe, Buckinghamshire

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Lyme

Spot a beautiful specimen of the Great White cherry (Prunus Tai-Haku) which flowers in mid-April at Lyme and look out for the bees as they move from flower to flower picking up the nectar. Not long after, the Chinese crab apples start to show their small but plentiful flowers.

Spring blossom in the garden at Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester

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Dunham Massey

The display of spring blossom at Dunham Massey is one of the highlights of spring. The pace pink blooms of crab apple trees appear in late March, followed by the yellow magnolia flowers in April and bright pink cherry blossom in May. In the deer park you’ll find 300 fruit trees in full blossom.

Pale pink and white apple blossom in the fruit orchard at Cotehele, Cornwall

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Little Moreton Hall

Look across the moat to see an orchard of apple and quince trees start to blossom. The large white blossom on the quince tree is very typical of Little Moreton Hall’s Tudor past.

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Quarry Bank

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.

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Dunham Massey

The garden provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy the beauty of spring days. Surround yourself with stunning shades as brightly coloured foliage floods the garden. Connect with nature and beauty while you immerse in the joys of the season.

The formal beds at Lyme in spring, with bright yellow daffodils and the house in the background against blue skies

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Lyme

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

Visitors in the walled Garden in spring, Tatton Park, Cheshire

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Tatton Park

Discover 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.

Two young women in winter coats standing by a planter filled with plants and trees

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Castlefield Viaduct

Step onto Manchester’s first ‘sky park’. Explore Castlefield Viaduct’s history and experience an urban park in the sky. The accessible green space in the heart of the city is full of winter species that add splashes of colour through foliage and berries.

Visitors walking through the gardens in August at Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire

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Little Moreton Hall

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.

Visitors in the Walled Garden at Hare Hill, Cheshire

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Hare Hill

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.

Seeing bluebells carpeting a woodland floor or scattered along a grassy verge is the highlight of any walk in April and May. These delicate blooms are found all across Western Europe, but about half of the world’s population is right here in the UK. Discover some of the top places to see bluebells near you.

Carpet of bluebells in the Southern Woods at Quarry Bank

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A walk through the Southern Woods at Quarry Bank

Explore the Southern Woods at Quarry Bank to find jaw dropping displays of bluebells carpeting the bank next to the River Bollin. As the river twists and turns alongside this woodland walk, keep your eyes out for other hidden gems too.

A carpet of bluebells in a woodland at Dunham Massey

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Bluebell woods at Dunham Massey

An unmissable carpet of delicate bluebells transform the Winter Garden at Dunham Massey each spring. Meander through the winding paths and glimpse the sun breaking through the tree canopy above.

Bluebells in the garden at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

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Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Rufford Old Hall’s woods are awash with bluebells in April and May. Follow winding paths and step over bridges that give you a close up viewpoint of the carpet of blue below. The black and white Tudor hall makes the perfect backdrop for your spring photos.

Bluebells carpet the woodland at Speke Hall, Merseyside, and a path winds between the trees

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Speke Hall hidden paths trail

Liverpool & Lancashire

Explore the hidden paths around the garden and through the ancient woodland surrounding Speke Hall. From late-April to the end of May, the winding paths are surrounded by a sea of delicate bluebells.

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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.

Stag with Manchester in the background, at Lyme, Cheshire

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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.

View of the Mansion from the parkland with fallow deer, Tatton Park, Cheshire

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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.

The River Bollin in Southern Woods at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire

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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.