Biddulph Grange Garden is one of the most intriguing and unusual National Trust properties in the country.
On a trip to this hidden gem, visitors can see gardens inspired by ancient Egypt, Italy and China in a single stroll.
It’s been described as a ‘horticultural Disneyland’, with entire continents crammed into sections of the garden.
A wander around the fascinating Grade I-listed grounds will bring you face-to-face with a group of stone sphinxes, a bright red Chinese pagoda by a lake, and a tiered Italian-style garden.
There’s also a Tudor-style Cheshire cottage and a sweeping Victorian garden with views of the valley below.
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The grounds at Biddulph Grange, right on the Staffordshire border with Cheshire, were designed by horticulturalist James Bateman as a ‘playful paradise’.
James took his massive collection of plants from around the globe and built entire worlds dedicated to them on his land, which are carefully preserved today by the National Trust.
This garden within Biddulph Grange packs in tonnes of features inspired by Chinese gardens.
There’s a red and turquoise pagoda overlooking a small lake with a traditional bridge crossing it, a small joss house (or temple), a tower, and even its very own ‘Great Wall’.
Red dragons are carved into the lawns and a golden sacred water buffalo sculpture overlooks the whole scene.
Bateman built his mansion in an Italian style, and the formal tiered gardens around it reflect that.
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The incredible terraces are packed with plants from around the world – it might be Italian in style, but Italian plants apparently don’t grow well on a wet and windy English hillside.
There aren’t many parts of the UK that could compare with the drama of the Himalayan mountains, but Biddulph Grange has tried to capture some of that magic in its glen area.
It’s filled with beautiful rock walls, streams, waterfalls and ferns.
There’s also a High Walk so you can take in the views of the garden from up high, before heading through to the tunnels that lead to the China Garden.
This unusual looking corner of the garden is The Stumpery, where dead tree stumps are used as scaffolding for climbing plants.
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Biddulph Grange’s stumpery is the oldest in the country and has been copied by many other gardens, including at Highgrove, Prince Charles’ home in Gloucestershire.
This Tudor-style cottage dates back to 1856 and its facade includes the initials of James and his wife Maria.
The National Trust has drawn possible links between the Cheshire Cottage and Queen Victoria’s famous Swiss Cottage, which she built for her nine children around the same time.
In Bateman’s time, the cottage would have been the commanding focus surrounded by small trees – now it’s dwarfed by amazing mature conifers.
Biddulph Grange is open from 10am to 3.30pm, Saturday to Wednesday, throughout January.
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It’s between 45 minutes and an hour to drive there from most parts of Greater Manchester.
You can also get there by taking the train to Congleton then a short bus ride on the 94 service to St Lawrence’s Church.
You can find out more about Biddulph Grange Garden at the National Trust website here.
Featured image: National Trust Images/John Miller
Things To Do
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 22 – 28 April 2024
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe we’re already into our last full week of April, and May is right around the corner?
So far, April has been full of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more – and thankfully, there’s more where that came from as there’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with throughout this week too.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
Monday 22 April – onwards
Bloomtown Blossom Trail / Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester never looks better than it does when all the blossom trees burst back to life, right? Well now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library, to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over, so the National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
Monday 22 April – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Did you see that one of the biggest charity shops has recently opened here in Greater Manchester?
The independently-run Regenerage superstore is the newest resident at the massively-popular Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton.
Inside the huge 10,958 sq ft store, shoppers can find everything from ladies and menswear, to homeware, furniture, and children’s clothing too, plus books, and new white goods – including washing machines, fridge freezers, and more.
There’s also a specially-created bridal and occasional wear department too.
And if all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s even the chance to get your hands on designer brands like Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, and Armani, all without the hefty price tag.
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
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With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
Pieminister’s Bottomless Brunch / Credit: The Manc Group
Pieminister’s legendary pie bottomless brunch with free-flowing drinks has finally made a comeback.
The popular pie restaurant chain – which has two sites here in Manchester city centre on Church Street in the Northern Quarter, and on Deansgate – is known and loved all across the UK for its thick and chunky pies, but its bottomless brunch offering is something else.
Whether you’re a meat lover, a veggie, vegan, flexitarian, or gluten free, there’s something to suit everyone on the menu.
Find out more and book your bottomless brunch slot here.
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The Wizard of Oz
Palace Theatre Manchester
Wednesday 24 April – Sunday 5 May
The Wizard of Oz / Credit: ATG Tickets
A sensational new take on of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, The Wizard of Oz, is arriving here in Manchester this week.
Taking to the iconic Palace Theatre stage, starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, JLS sensation Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West, this new production is set to be truly magical for all the family.
The Botanist has brought back The Botanist LIVE to “help everyone celebrate summer” with free live music every weekend.
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Set to “supply the soundtrack to your weekend” every Friday and Saturday night, The Botanist’s talented artists are set to play live from 8pm until late, and guests can expect a vibrant party atmosphere with sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco, and blues.
The events are not ticketed and are free to attend, so all you need to do is turn up and wait for its house band get the party started.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 March right through to November this year, East Lancashire Railway’s Red Rose Diners are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Fancy heading out a walk somewhere in Greater Manchester and beyond this week?
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little, and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter.
So that means it’s time for a walk, right?
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now with blossoms, bluebells, and more – and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – so it couldn’t be a more perfect time to go for a walk to appreciate their beauty.
Read our round-up of stunning spots for a spring walk here.
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Spring Fest
Alderley Park
Saturday 27 April
Farm Weekend / Credit: Jody Hartley
Spring Fest is taking over Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park this Saturday.
With families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West set to make their way to Macclesfield, Spring Fest is a chance to celebrate the magic of spring and everything that it means for wildlife, animals, and nature.
You can expect a jam-packed day full of different outdoor family-friendly activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
A festival especially for dogs is all set to take over a popular Manchester city centre park for some “paw-tastic fun” this weekend.
And the best bit about it? It’s absolutely FREE to head on down to.
Back by popular demand, the Ex-Paw Extravaganza festival is returning to Angel Meadow Park near Manchester‘s Green Quarter this Saturday for a jam-packed day of “pawsome activity”.
Kicking off from 11am and running right through until 4pm, this year’s dog-themed festivities include a selection of different stalls to shop from, dog agility courses, puppy play areas, hands-on pet first aid courses, and so much more.
Looking for somewhere to go for a hearty roast dinner in and around Greater Manchester this weekend?
From the moment we start to feel the weekend rolling in, we can’t help but turn our thoughts to Sunday roasts, steaming jugs of gravy, and big glasses sploshing over with red wine.
It’s just the best feeling, and there’s plenty of it to be found here in our region.
We’re used to it being wet and miserable most of the year, and while we do love Sunday lunch on a sun-soaked afternoon in the beer garden when we get the chance, nothing warms the cockles more on those darker days than a giant plate piled high with roasted meats, vegetables, and gravy.
Read our round-up of some of the best Greater Manchester roast dinners here.
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Featured Image – Ex-Paw MCR | The Manc Group | Bruntwood
Things To Do
Greater Manchester clubs and Kellogg’s team up for free kids’ football camps this summer
Danny Jones
A whole host of Greater Manchester clubs are teaming up with cereal brand Kellogg’s this summer to hold tens of thousands of free football camps for kids this summer.
Joining the nationwide initiative alongside dozens of other teams across the country, local sides including Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Salford City and more will be taking part in a glorious sporting summer helping the opportunity to stay active and entertained during the holidays.
Kellogg’s Football Camps and similar schemes from the company have been running for many years and this latest edition is set to be the biggest yet, with 300,000 completely free days of footballing fun set to be offered out to children aged 5-14 all over the UK.
With the multiple clubs from in and around the region enlisting their help, not to mention Euro 2024 and the Olympics just on the horizon, it’s going to be a great couple of months for the little ones.
With the likes of Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and other nearby organisations such as the Foundation 92 (the educational charity arm formed by the Man United’s Class of ’92 group) getting involved, the physical activity-driven programme will be a great outlet for kids this school break.
This fresh push for physical activity comes after recent research found that 90% of parentsin the North West would like their child to experience less screen timeand take part in more outdoor activities and 7/10 of mums and dads from the region feel there aren’t enough accessible activitieslocal to them.
Entry for the Kellogg’s camps kicked off this month and will run until 24 June, with around 2,500 places released every week. The sessions themselves will run throughout July and August 2024 as well as a handful in June and September.
To mark the occasion this year, they also revealed the world’s longest football scarf featuring a total of 74 different teams from England, Wales, and Scotland, measuring approximately 100m long.
The vast majority of parents polled said they felt participating in team sports can help build crucial life skills and that’s exactly what the campaign is hoping to achieve. Brilliant stuff.
Kellogg’s has long held not only a local connection to Greater Manchester but a partnership with English football in general (if you have one of those old footy cereal bowls you know all too well), so it’s nice to see them still getting involved and help parents keep their kids occupied for a little while this summer.
The sign-up process is pretty simple: merely grab a promotional box of the brand’s cereal which millions of British kids already eat for their cereal, scan the barcode to validate the purchase and then select your desired club via email to book your kids onto the free football days. You can see the T&Cs HERE.
As it happens, they aren’t the only food brand offering similar sporting freebies this year:
Daisy Jackson -
7th January 2022 
