COMBERMERE Abbey is celebrating its inclusion as a ‘Garden of Distinction’ as part of the Cheshire Year of Gardens ‘08 county-wide festival with a series of exciting events.

As part of the Bluebell Festival, it is extending its popular Bluebell Walk to two Sundays in April.

The estate will open in the afternoon on April 20 and 27 and visitors will be able to enjoy the arrival of spring wandering through the magnificent ancient bluebell woods.

The course is two miles long and last year’s event was immensely popular with around 900 walkers taking part.

Combermere is also opening its beautiful Walled Garden to visitors interested in seeing the newly restored Glasshouse, completed last year and now a wedding and events venue.

The event starts at 1pm and ends at 5pm with last walkers at 4pm. Cost of entry for the walk is £3 for adults and £2 for children under 16. There is an additional £1 per adult and 50p per child entry fee to the Walled Gardens.

Babies in carriers go free. Dogs on leads are welcome (except in Walled Gardens) and delicious home-made refreshments and Walled Garden Collection produce will be available. Plants from the gardens are also on sale.

More details in next week’s Herald.