RHS Flower Show Tatton Park and RHS Bridgewater – 2022

Though we’ll have regular stops along the way, we will have a longer one to visit the lovely estate of Shugborough.
The history of Shugborough is entangled with the exploits and interests of two brothers, Thomas and George Anson. Their fortunes and their social position shaped Shugborough, allowing them to interpret the ideas and materials which flooded into Britain throughout the 18th century: furnishing homes, forging fashions and changing culture.
The house is set in sweeping parkland, ancient woodland and a landscape peppered with monuments. The gardens play host to seasonal blooms and produce in the walled garden.
The Georgian mansion itself holds unusual treasures; experience life ‘below stairs’ in the servants’ quarters, then enter a world of glamour and royalty in the apartments of Patrick, 5th Earl of Lichfield, and famous fashion photographer.
From here we travel on to our lodging for the tour: Llyndir Hall, near Wrexham. This country house hotel is surrounded by stunning countryside, gardens, a swimming pool, gym and beauty salon, along with intriguing artwork, sculptures, an Italian-style terrace and a 200-year-old oak tree.

Until recently, the RHS only had four gardens and RHS Bridgewater has now joined the fold to make five, and we start the day with a visit to this new treasure.
The garden has been created in 154 acres (62 ha) of the former Worsley New Hall estate, with the Bridgewater Canal forming the southern boundary. It is the RHS’s first new garden since it acquired Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire in 2001, and is one of Europe’s largest gardening projects.
Landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith has created the overall plan, which includes restoration of the walled kitchen garden, recreation of historic features such as the tree-lined Garden Approach and re-working of the lost terraces.
In the mid-afternoon we will visit the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre where we’ll see the Grade 1 listed Lovell Telescope, find out about the history of Britain’s leading role in Astronomy and see the new Light Pavilion, which should be a stunning experience.

There are a small number RHS Shows around the country, and each has its own special charm. RHS Tatton Park is one of their strongest shows in the North-West receiving good coverage in the national media, and is well worth a visit.
Here we’ll allow a whole day to visit the display gardens, do some shopping and – of course – enjoy the refreshments!

We return home but take the time to visit Trentham Gardens. These new-look gardens have matured into some of the finest in Britain, declared by James Alexander Sinclair in The Daily Telegraph as “The garden makeover of the decade”.
The contemporary revival of the famous Italian Gardens was led by renowned designer and multi-Chelsea gold-medal winner Tom Stuart-Smith. To the east of the Italian Gardens are the Rivers of Grass and the adjacent Floral Labyrinth. Both these schemes were designed by eminent Dutch plantsman, and Chelsea gold-medal winner, Piet Oudolf, who heavily influenced the Sussex Prairie Garden.
At the centre of the garden is the mile-long, Capability Brown-designed, Trentham Lake. Take the circular lakeside walk all the way round as it takes you aside the River Trent, through the cascading weir and along atmospheric trails, featuring vast meadow schemes by Nigel Dunnett and the team who were responsible for the stunning wildflower plantings at the Olympic Park. These were chosen for seasonal interest and environmental suitability.
From here, we wind our way back homewards returning in the early evening.