Between Liverpool And Birmingham Is England's Scenic Castle With Beautiful Gardens

The English garden is the colorful, leafy epitome of whimsical Mother Nature shaped into serene landscapes by human hands. Layered and shapely plantings dappled with jaunty pathways, soothing water features, and edged with sturdy evergreens, these magical greenscapes are a marvel to behold. Naturally, England is brimming with these eponymous pleasure gardens which have greatly evolved since the Romans brought gardening here shortly after emperor Claudius conquered Britain. To stroll among stunning gardens the next time you're in the neighborhood of Birmingham or Liverpool, the beautiful Cholmondeley Castle Gardens are an absolute must. Nestled immaculately on the grounds of a scenic castle, this striking constellation of gardens are abloom with colors, fragrance, and imagination.

Picturesque Cholmondeley Castle Gardens sprawls over 70 acres of historic land in the northern English county of Cheshire. The striking grounds have been in the Cholmondeley family since Norman times, although the stately Gothic Revival castle that stands there now was built in the early 1800s where a manor house previously stood. Today, the castle is owned by the Seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley who, along with his wife Rose Hanbury, is part of the British royal family's inner circle, and reportedly good friends of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

From the classic Four Seasons Rose Garden to the magnificent Arboretum, the parkland boasts eight distinct gardens teeming with ravishing blooms and deciduous delights that are natural magnet for artists, photographers, and horticulture enthusiasts. Cholmondeley also draws cricketers to its sprawling cricket grounds, host to private games of England's enduring, centuries-old national pastime. The family-friendly venue also has a small play area, tea rooms serving sandwiches and nibbles, a farm shop and café, plus a calendar of special events. Exploring the interior of majestic Cholmondeley Castle is off limits, but the gardens are seasonally open to visitors Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and bank holidays. Make a night of your visit and enjoy a quaint stay at The Cholmondeley Arms B&B and pub, located on the estate.

Today's gardens owe much to Lavinia Cholmondeley, wife of the 6th Marquess, who began transforming the grounds in the 1940s into the botanical wonderland that exists today. Her honorary garden, the 328-foot-long Lavinia Walk that's packed with climbing roses, irises, tree peonies and more, connects the glorious, 800-bloom Four Seasons Rose Garden to the ethereal Temple Garden. The Temple Garden is an idyll of seasonal plantings that include the rare Japanese Spicebush, famous for its dramatic yellow autumn flowers. It boasts romantic bridges crossing over a bucolic lake that's home to a pair of islands (a temple residing on one), and a wrought-iron gate made for the 1st Earl of Cholmondeley around 1715 with family's coat of arms.

Another garden highlight is The Arboretum, soaring with rare trees alongside more familiar oak, beech, pine, and hemlock varieties. Pathways ramble up to Tower Hill, a dreamy expanse with sweeping, countryside views canopied under magnolia, rhododendron, and camellia trees. In late spring, it's a top spot for seeing the remarkable shower of bluebells blanketing the countryside. For a blissful walk and bird-watching, meander the lakeside nature trail surrounding the estate's Deer Park Mere, replete with wonderful water and castle views. Don't leave without marveling at the stained glass altar window inside the serene and historic St. Nicholas Chapel, one of the first structures on the estate.  

Tickets can be purchased online for a modest fee — about $12 for adults, $6 for children ages five to 15, and free for five and under, at the time of writing. Tickets are available on the grounds, but they can sell out as limited numbers are available, so advance reservations are recommended. The grounds are located about 90 minutes drive north of Birmingham, an underrated foodie gem, and 50 minutes drive south of Liverpool, London's vibrant English rival with fewer crowds. To discover more incredible castles, visit England's scenic, northernmost county on the Scottish border.