Explore the garden at Lyme

Lyme Hall reflected in the wintery Lake at Lyme, Cheshire — The exterior of Lyme, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Derek Hatton

The historic garden at Lyme offers variation throughout the seasons so it’s always a good time to visit. Nestled on the edge of the Peak District, Lyme's garden is the second highest in the National Trust which means flowers often bloom later and last longer at Lyme.

A garden for all seasons

Visiting the garden at Lyme is an ever changing experience and no two visits are the same. Under the care of Head Gardener Stefan with the garden team, the garden transforms seasonally. Whether you witness the striking orange leaves of autumn or the bright colourful blooms of spring, there is plenty to discover.

Blossom at Lyme

Each autumn the formal beds outside the orangery are planted with over 4000 bulbs. The daffodils will be the first to flower followed by hyacinths and then tulips, giving a continuous display of fabulous colour throughout the season. See our monthly highlights in spring below:

Two adults, one holding a baby, walk inside the Orangery surrounded by plants at Lyme Park, Cheshire — Exploring inside the Orangery at Lyme Park, Cheshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Early interest in the Orangery

Spring starts first in this year-round oasis. Shelter from the elements in the Grade II listed orangery next to the luscious red blooms of two Camellias which are over 150 years old.

The Great White Cherry Tree (Prunus Tai-Haku) in Vicary Gibbs | © Victoria Baker

April: Tree blossom in Vicary Gibbs

One of the highlights of the season is the blossom in the Vicary Gibbs area. There is a beautiful old specimen of the Great White cherry (Prunus ‘Shirotae’) which flowers in mid-April, bees love the nectar and it’s fascinating to watch them move from flower to flower. A week or so after the cherry has started to flower the Chinese crab apple (Malus hupehensis) will start to flower too, renowned for its cloak of immaculate white blossoms.

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Blossom at Lyme

In spring nature puts on a dazzling display – and blossom trees are the star of the show. From ornamental Cherry blossom in the garden to hawthorn scattered across the estate, blossom is a symbol of hope and renewal as we welcome Spring. Join us for a week in Spring when the colours and scents of blossom take centre stage here at Lyme. Blossom is often at its best in April, but nobody tells nature what to do – so keep your eyes peeled.

We recommend making your way to the Vicary Gibbs area of the garden, named after the famous horticulturalist and close friend of Thomas Legh who brought exotic flowering trees from Asia to Lyme at the turn of the 20th century. Pull up a deck chair and bathe under the Japanese Mt. Fuji cherry tree (Prunus ‘Shirotae’) or sit under the Chinese crab apple (Malus hupehensis), renowned for its cloak of immaculate white blossoms. Throughout the season, we hope to turn the spotlight on the different beautiful blossoms both here in the garden and around Lyme to help you see it at its best.

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Family fun in the garden

Follow the winding paths to dicover what's growing in the garden this season. There are lots of buggy-friendly paths in the garden – ask at the Ticket Office for more information.

'50 things to do before you're 11 3/4'

You can complete many of the '50 things' in the garden at Lyme. Here's some of our favourites -

No. 1 Get to know a tree - with trees losing their leaves, head to the Top Lawn to find your favourite tree. Which one has the best shape?
No. 6 Go welly wandering - pull on your wellington boots and explore. Splash around in puddles, squelch through some mud.
No. 15 - Eat a picnic in the wild - before you set off, it’s time to raid the fridge. It’s amazing what you can create with just a few ingredients. Sandwiches, salads, pasta and fruit all make for a tasty lunch – and they’re easy to carry too.

More family fun this way