A blooming success

May 23 2008 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

A blooming success

Cheshire’s Year of Gardens campaign has captured the public imagination as thousands of visitors flock to the county’s Gardens of Distinction. BARRY ELLAMS reports

Cheshire has more gardens and garden centres open to the public per head of population than anywhere else in the country and the 2008 campaign has already seen an increased uptake in visitors.

Capesthorne Hall, home of the Lord Lieutenant, has seen a massive 500% increase in footfall while Tatton Park has reported a 368.20% rise in visitors. Lyme Park is up 64.6%, Ness Gardens up 17.13% Jodrell Bank visitors have risen by 177.33% and Rode Hall by 51%.

The Ness Botanic Gardens, which were presented to the University of Liverpool in 1948 by Lois Bulley, daughter of founder and owner Arthur Bulley, attracts visitors from Cheshire, Wirral and Merseyside.

Kevin Reid, director at Ness, said: “We have seen a very marked increase in visitor numbers as a result of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens. Ness Gardens is also a gateway garden to Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations.”

A £2.2m visitor centre with a grass roof opened in 2006, featuring a central courtyard area with reception, indoor cafe with outside garden area, shop, lecture theatre, conservatory and exhibition room.

Ness Gardens staff were involved in improving flower beds at Chester station. The popular venue is accessible to public transport with the 272/273 Neston Rider able to pick up passengers from Hooton Station.

Thousands of visitors have descended on the 35-acre Granada Arboretum at Jodrell Bank.

Linda Bennett, of Jodrell Bank visitor centre, said: “The first bank holiday weekend we had 1,000 visitors this year compared to 700 last year. There has been a huge increase of people visiting us since January. They are very pleased with the spring colour we have at the gardens.”

More than 800 pupils will be planting flowers at the Planets Walk next month.