From an Italian village in Wales to family homes cut into a cliff, I’ve seen some pretty trippy places, but this Victorian garden, described as a ‘quirky, playful paradise’, may be the oddest. Thanks to Victorian plant-hunters, Biddulph Grange Garden was once beloved for its wide-ranging flower collection—specifically, orchids, rhododendrons and azaleas—but today offers an offbeat global journey through Egypt, China, Italy, and the Himalayas.
What is at Biddulph Grange Garden?
First, there’s the iconic Chinese garden, complete with a bright red pagoda and golden water buffalo statue, which sits at the heart of Biddulph Grange Garden, surrounded by brightly-coloured acer trees. But to get there, you must first wander through the fern-filled Himalayan Glen.
After that, discover the Egyptian Court hidden behind hedges. Here, two pairs of sphinxes guard a topiary pyramid and obelisks. Or, for something more traditional, visit the formal Italianate gardens or the half-timbered Cheshire Cottage. Kids can even enjoy a woodland play area.
For one of the most impressive sights at Biddulph Grange Garden, check out the country’s oldest Stumpery, which I’d best describe as an atmospheric sunken path bordered by upside-down oak tree roots. But, from a stunning Dahlia Walk to the oldest Golden Larch in Britain, there’s a bounty of flora to find.
And don’t fret about sustaining yourself around these magnificent gardens; pick up cakes and drinks from The Tearoom. Plus, there is a second-hand bookshop if you need something to read while you eat, and a plant centre stocked with seasonal planting if you feel inspired to take something home with you.
How do I get there from Birmingham?
Located in Staffordshire, Biddulph Grange Garden is just an hour and 15 minutes from Birmingham by car. Follow the M6 to Queensway in Tittensor and take exit 15, then follow the A500 and A527 to Grange Road in Biddulph. Alternatively, take a train from Birmingham New Street to Stoke-on-Trent, change for Congleton, and then the 94 bus to St Lawrence’s Church, in under two hours.
